Paris, France — The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), France’s top gambling regulator, has stepped up its enforcement strategy with a visible shift in tone: going after high-profile personalities and influencers to set an example for the rest of the industry.
Rather than focusing solely on operators, the ANJ’s new campaign targets social media figures, streamers, and sports celebrities who have been promoting online casinos or unlicensed betting sites to French audiences. According to regulatory sources cited by Le Monde, this new approach aims to “exhibit accountability in public”—a clear signal that no one, not even public figures with millions of followers, is above the rules.
In recent months, the French regulator has increased inspections on gambling-related content appearing on Instagram, Twitch, and TikTok, identifying cases where influencers promoted “offshore” casinos operating outside French jurisdiction. Several have already received formal warnings, and some cases have been referred to the Paris Prosecutor’s Office for potential fines or criminal charges.
The ANJ’s president, Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, emphasized that this isn’t a symbolic crackdown but a coordinated operation designed to reaffirm state control and public trust. “We need to make visible examples. Accountability must be seen, not just proclaimed,” she said during a recent interview on France Info.
This strong-handed policy—dubbed internally as the “tête sur la place publique” strategy (“head on the public square”)—marks a turning point in France’s effort to protect minors and curb aggressive marketing tactics. Analysts describe it as a high-stakes gamble: effective if it deters illicit promotion, risky if it sparks backlash from digital creators. Still, for regulators, the message is clear: integrity is non-negotiable, and France intends to lead by example.
