Using AI for player protection amid online casino regulation

France is one of the last two countries in the EU still to regulate online casinos, despite being one of the largest potential markets in Europe. The current lack of regulation greatly harms player protection and pushes people towards the black market, which has subsequent repercussions on taxation as well as the ability for land-based casinos that respect and apply the legislation to compete on a level playing field. France is currently heavily targeted by illegal sites and it is very difficult to limit illegal operators because the digital world knows no borders.      

At this stage, there are multiple proposals regarding online casino legislation in the country. One of these introduces a five-year moratorium that would allow operators to take the time needed to protect players. Protection and security are necessary for the casino industry to become sustainable.

The sooner we regulate the market, the faster we can protect players, particularly those who suffer from problem gambling. Without a doubt, regulation should create a framework in which the legal sector remains visible and competitive, but simultaneously have a mission to detect, alert, educate and care for people at risk of developing problem behaviours.    

Developing responsible gaming tools

When it comes to sustainability and safer gambling, France’s aim should be and continues to remain one of prevention rather than prohibition. It is now the responsibility of the country’s major suppliers and operators to start using AI to develop software to combine data and automation from day one to make France one of the world’s safest and most high-tech igaming environments.

At Circus, our software was developed based on scientific research and we actively collaborate with experts in the field of addiction control. Our ambition is for all our partners to help prevent addiction and ensure gambling remains about sustainable entertainment. Most people play games for pleasure and AI makes it possible to protect the individuals who need protection without interfering with the enjoyment of others who don’t, and this is something we will continue to develop.

Adapting for the French audience             

From a macroeconomic point of view, the average profile of French gamblers remains predominantly male (around 70%). Women are more inclined to play the lottery and men are more attracted to sports betting and poker, which is logical since France only allows poker and sports betting online. Around 220 municipalities and towns already have part of their budget funded by land-based casinos. This could become problematic if operators without land-based casinos are granted online licences as those homegrown brands that support local communities will not be able to compete fairly.

If land-based casinos have first option to go live with the upcoming regulatory framework, they’ll no doubt be the first to shape the market in their vision. However, if it’s an open market, the purely digital operators will likely import what is available in the rest of Europe as these operators have already created a gigantic database of French players thanks to the sports betting and poker products they have operated for many years.

For France to succeed, the market requires a strong regulator and transparent governance. A regulator must be able to carry out studies, collect data and be flexible enough to adapt to the constant changes in digital technology. This is a truly historic chance to ensure one of Europe’s biggest countries can become a true example for others to follow.         

Sébastien Leclercq is managing director at Circus Casino France and represents shareholders of the Belgian Gaming1 Group, a gaming operator with over 30 years’ experience.

Based in Paris, Leclercq began his professional career in the casino sector in 2016 and developed a passion for the industry.

Since joining Circus France, he has been entrusted with the brand’s general management and continues to pursue his ambition of establishing Circus as a major player in the French land-based and online casino landscape.