ANJ's New Algorithm for Effective Player Identification in Gambling

A New Regulatory Tool for Player Protection

During the 15th European Conference on Gambling Studies and Policy Issues, the ANJ had the pleasure of presenting the scientific evaluation work on the performance of its player identification algorithm. Developed and initially introduced last May, this algorithm identifies players whose account activity suggests excessive gambling.

As a reminder, the ANJ algorithm was designed as a regulatory tool intended to assist operators in complying with their obligations to identify and support players showing signs of excessive or pathological gambling. The ANJ's 2024-2026 strategic plan encourages operators to shift towards a less intensive gambling model—in other words, to reduce both the proportion and the total number of excessive gamblers within the French gambling and betting market.

The primary objective of this algorithm is to establish a baseline for the number of players exhibiting excessive gambling behavior that licensed online gambling operators and monopolies (for their account-based gambling activity) should be able to identify.

Favorable International Reception and Scientific Backing

The ANJ is delighted with the highly positive reception from regulators and researchers attending this international conference regarding the work led by the ANJ. This project was developed in close collaboration with its scientific committee—comprising Gaëlle CHALLET, Amandine Luquiens, Jean-Michel Costes, and Sylvia Kairouz—to design an algorithmic model that is as effective as possible, regardless of the game type or the socioeconomic profile of the players.

This initiative is part of the ANJ's ongoing commitment to strengthening the transparency of its actions regarding the prevention of excessive gambling and player protection, ensuring that these efforts are firmly grounded in knowledge derived from scientific research.