ANJ overhauls sporting events with 179 exclusions

Lea Hogg January 16, 2024

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ANJ overhauls sporting events with 179 exclusions

The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), France’s gambling regulatory body, has undertaken a significant initiative to refine and clarify the landscape of approved sports competitions for betting in the country. The move involves a meticulous revision of the existing list, aiming to improve coherence and understanding for both stakeholders and bettors.

Comprehensive overhaul

In a recent development, the ANJ announced the removal of 179 sports competitions from its sanctioned betting events list. This overhaul comes after a thorough review of the existing list, which had been regularly updated since 2010. The decision to revise the list stemmed from concerns that the previous version had lost its readability and consistency over time.

Collaborating with key entities such as the Sports Directorate of France’s Ministry of Sports, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, French sports federations, leagues, and betting operators, the ANJ aimed to ensure a comprehensive and well-informed update. The objective is not just to eliminate the clutter but to establish a more transparent and secure framework for sports betting in the country.

Strategic removals

The 179 sports competitions that were struck off the list were not just randomly chosen; they were carefully evaluated against legal criteria and relevance. Some were removed due to their lack of significance, exemplified by the removal of the first level Armenian football. Others faced elimination due to the perceived risk of sports manipulation, as observed in the first level Tunisian football championship and US college sports, with only the final of the popular March Madness basketball competition remaining on the approved list.

Conversely, the revised list also welcomes back several competitions, including friendly matches played by the French men’s football and rugby teams. Furthermore, certain restrictions on betting types have been lifted, such as the ban on handicap betting in tennis and the prohibition of bets on the number of points scored by a player in a basketball game.

The updated list, now comprising 772 approved competitions for betting, is set to take effect on March 1 of this year. To ensure ongoing relevance and effectiveness, the ANJ plans to conduct a comprehensive evaluation at the year’s end, engaging in consultations with all relevant stakeholders. This proactive approach reflects the commitment of the ANJ to maintaining the integrity of sports betting while adapting to the evolving landscape of sports events and consumer preferences.

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