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Promotional strategies of gambling operators: what points of vigilance has the ANJ identified?

Published

5 years ago

January 26, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Meeting in plenary session on January 21, the members of the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) examined the 2021 promotional strategies of gambling operators, both in competition and monopoly, with particular regard to the objectives of prevention of excessive or pathological gambling and protection of minors. In view of the points of vigilance that were identified during this review, such as increased advertising pressure and the targeting of young audiences, the approval of these strategies is in most cases subject to conditions in their implementation.

Reminder of the legal framework

Since the reform of gambling regulation in 2020, all operators must submit their promotional strategies to the National Gaming Authority for approval each year. The latter examines it in the light of the objectives of the State’s policy on gambling and chance, and more specifically, the prevention of excessive or pathological gambling and the protection of minors.

This first exercise of approval of promotional strategies should allow the ANJ to progressively build its analytical grid to maintain a recreational game and for operators to become familiar with these new provisions. It is also on the basis of this analysis grid that the ANJ will be able, if necessary, to mobilize its power to withdraw from a particular advertising campaign that encourages gambling by minors or that contains excessive encouragement to gamble.

The ANJ’s analytical grid takes into account the balance to be struck between the legitimate use of advertising by operators to promote the legal offer and differentiate themselves in a highly regulated market, and its necessary channelling to counter the risk of problem gambling and protect minors. It will be regularly updated in the light of the observations or developments observed by the ANJ and the work carried out with the CSA and the ARPP, in the framework of the implementation of an observatory on gambling advertising.

It is in line with the reference framework for the prevention of excessive and pathological gambling and the protection of minors published in December 2020, which proposes an operational manual for operators in the implementation of their new obligations.

Points of vigilance common to operators for the 2021 strategies

The ANJ conducted a comparative analysis of the promotional strategies of the 14 licensed operators and the 2 operators under exclusive rights (FDJ and PMU). This analysis revealed points of vigilance, common to all these operators, which justify attaching conditions to approval decisions:

A substantial increase in advertising budgets of 26% compared to 2019*, with large-scale campaigns around major sporting events planned for this year (notably the Euro Football Championship and the Tokyo Olympic Games);
A reinforced targeting of young people with the use of digital marketing strategies on the social networks Snapchat and TikTok particularly followed by minors;
Active stimulation of the player with the effect of intensifying gambling practices and the recruitment of new players (bonuses, personalization of the offer).

The particular case of monopoly operators (FDJ and PMU)

An examination of the promotional strategies of these two operators under exclusive rights shows that the Authority has serious concerns about them, particularly in light of the case law of the CJEU and the Conseil d’Etat, which reminds us that the monopolies’ advertising efforts must remain measured and strictly limited to what is necessary to channel consumers towards controlled gambling networks. Moreover, in connection with this jurisprudence, the ANJ will be vigilant to ensure that any advertising or promotional campaign by these operators does not hide behind arguments of general interest to give a positive image of gambling or to justify it.

The ANJ will be very attentive to ensure that the points of vigilance it has identified are the object of particular attention on the part of operators with regard to their obligations in terms of prevention of excessive gambling and protection of minors.

*Since the 2020 budgets are not significant, 2019 will be the last fiscal year carried out under normal market conditions.

Africa

RubyPlay signs World Sports Betting deal to expand in South Africa

Published

32 minutes ago

June 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

rubyplay-signs-world-sports-betting-deal-to-expand-in-south-africa

Operator adds RubyPlay slots including Elephant Stampede, Diamond Explosion® 7s and Mayan Cache to its online platform.

RubyPlay has partnered with South African operator World Sports Betting to roll out a selection of the supplier’s slot titles on the bookmaker’s online platform.

Under the agreement, World Sports Betting has integrated RubyPlay Studios games including Elephant Stampede, Diamond Explosion® 7s and Mayan Cache.

RubyPlay said South Africa remains a key market in its international growth strategy. The supplier entered the country in 2023 and said the World Sports Betting deal builds on a series of local partnerships.

Dima Reiderman, CCO at RubyPlay, said: “South Africa has been a real focus for us since we entered the market three years ago, and the traction we have seen in that time makes this partnership with World Sports Betting a genuinely engaging one. They are an established, highly respected brand and adding our portfolio to their platform is a strong example of how we are continuing to establish ourselves as a tier-one supplier across regulated markets.

“World Sports Betting has a deep understanding of their players and a clear vision for how they want to grow their offering. That kind of operator mindset is what we look for in a long-term partnership, and it gives us a strong foundation to build on together in what remains one of the most intriguing markets worldwide.”

Ryno Du Plessis, Chief Operating Officer at World Sports Betting, added: “Our focus is on delivering a high-quality iGaming experience, with a high breadth of standout content playing a key role. RubyPlay stands out as a quality content supplier, not only for the strength of its portfolio, but for its clear approach to game development and delivery.

“Their ecosystem model supports long-term player engagement, which aligns with our strategy as we grow our offering. Bringing in-demand titles such as Elephant Stampede, Diamond Explosion® 7s and Mayan Cache to our players is an exciting move, and we see strong potential in the partnership moving forward.”

The post RubyPlay signs World Sports Betting deal to expand in South Africa appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Dan Brown Business Development Manager at Foxium

Games Global and Foxium launch Reels Avenue Link&Win slot

Published

32 minutes ago

June 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

games-global-and-foxium-launch-reels-avenue-link&win-slot

New 5×4 Vegas-themed title adds four Link&Win modifiers and four-tier jackpots, with a stated top payout of 10,000x.

Games Global has launched Reels Avenue Link&Win, developed with its exclusive studio partner Foxium. The new Vegas-themed slot is a 5×4 title built around a Link&Win mechanic, four feature modifiers and four-tier jackpots, with the company stating win potential of up to 10,000x.

The base game uses classic slot symbols including BARs, bells and fruits. Collect symbols on reels one and five award the value of all money symbols landing simultaneously.

Coloured money symbols feed meters beside the reels and can randomly trigger the Link&Win bonus. In the feature, cash and jackpot coins drop on two 5×4 grids. Four modifiers can apply: Collect Club (adds up cash symbols on the same grid), Twin Heart (replicates value to the adjacent grid), Multi Spade (increases prizes by up to 5x) and Boost Diamond (increments up to four random cash symbols).

The game includes four jackpots that can be enhanced by jackpot tokens in the base game and are awarded when diamonds are collected in each bonus round.

Dan Brown, Business Development Manager at Foxium, said: “There will always be a place for Vegas-themed slots, and for us, it is less about trying to replicate that style, and more about how we can rework it for the modern player. This release provides that nostalgia, but delivers the depth in gameplay that we know drives engagement.”

Dave Reynolds, Director of Games Strategy and Partner Management at Games Global, added: “Foxium have a real knack for building games that grab attention right from the get-go. Reels Avenue Link&Win takes the classic Vegas slot and drags it firmly into the modern era – four distinct Link&Win modifiers, four-tier jackpots, and audiovisual design that delivers on every level.”

The post Games Global and Foxium launch Reels Avenue Link&Win slot appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

Relax Gaming launches football-themed Dream Drop slot with Bet Slip side bets

Published

32 minutes ago

June 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

relax-gaming-launches-football-themed-dream-drop-slot-with-bet-slip-side-bets

World Class Kick Off Dream Drop is the supplier’s first football slot and adds a sportsbook-style feature ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Relax Gaming has released World Class Kick Off Dream Drop, the latest entry in its Dream Drop jackpot series and the supplier’s first football-themed slot.

The company positions the launch around the 2026 World Cup, pitching the game as a cross-sell product aimed at sports bettors as well as casino players.

World Class Kick Off Dream Drop includes six progressive jackpots, including a €2 million MEGA Jackpot, according to Relax Gaming.

The title also introduces Relax Gaming’s Bet Slip feature, which lets players place side bets on specific symbols during gameplay for additional rewards. The supplier describes it as an “industry-first” mechanic designed to bring a sportsbook-style layer into a slot.

Tony O’Mahony, Chief Product Officer at Relax Gaming, said: “The new Bet Slip feature brings an exciting layer of engagement inspired by sports betting, while still delivering the huge jackpot potential players expect from our Dream Drop Jackpots. This one will appeal to casino players and sports punters who enjoy the chance to win big!”

The post Relax Gaming launches football-themed Dream Drop slot with Bet Slip side bets appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.