French gambling regulator L’Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) has signed a formal cooperation agreement with the Service Central des Courses et des Jeux (SCCJ), the police unit responsible for the supervision of casinos and racetracks.
The agreement, signed by ANJ president and Frédéric Veaux, director general of the SCCJ’s parent body the a General Directorate of the National Police (DGPN) division looks to strengthen the ties between the two organisations,.
The two share responsibilities for regulating gambling in France. The SCCJ, under the Minister of the Interior, is responsible for licensing and regulation of land-based casinos and gambling clubs, as well as holding ultimate oversight for the administration of French racetracks.
ANJ, on the other hand, is tasked with ensuring these land-based gaming businesses fulfil responsibilities related to consumer protection and gambling addiction, as well as regulating the online betting and poker industry.
The cooperation agreement is focused around three key areas. First, it formalises information sharing between the two bodies, to give each a better view of all activity in the country’s gambling market.
By working together, ANJ and the SCCJ aim to coordinate their regulatory actions, particularly when it comes to the country’s lottery monopoly La Française des Jeux (FDJ), horse racing giant Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU) and land-based casinos. This, ANJ noted, would aid efforts to prevent gambling addiction and underage play.
Finally, it would allow each party to keep the other informed of regulatory action, as well as sharing expertise and providing training to staff at each body.
Going forward, ANJ said the agreement would provide the basis for a “lively cooperation” between the two bodies, with a constant dialogue with the SCCJ to allow each party to take stock of actions taken and consider possible enhancements to the partnership.
