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French gambling regulator ANJ launches awareness campaign targeting parents who give scratch cards as Christmas presents, citing addiction risks.
Jan 19, 2026 · 6 min read
France's gambling regulator ANJ has launched a public awareness campaign questioning the practice of giving scratch-off lottery tickets to children as Christmas presents, despite overwhelming public recognition of gambling risks for minors.
The campaign comes as seasonal scratch card gift sets arrive at tobacco shops nationwide, coinciding with survey data showing 20% of French adults planned to give these games to children at Christmas, according to a Toluna-Harris Interactive poll conducted from 05 to 09 December 2024.
Scratch-off games represent a significant segment of France's gambling market, with 20 million French players wagering nearly 11 billion euros in 2024. Approximately thirty different instant games are currently available at retail points of sale across the country.
These games typically serve as the gateway to gambling for young people, with the ENJEU Mineurs study from 2021 revealing that 15-17 year-olds typically begin their gambling with instant games.
20 million
French scratch card players
€11 billion
Amount wagered in 2024
30
Different instant games available
20%
Adults planning to give scratch cards to children at Christmas
The practice of giving scratch cards as gifts has become increasingly normalized among French families. 25% of French adults reported having previously given scratch-off games to children, with parents most commonly giving these gifts to their own children rather than extended family members.
Christmas emerges as the peak period for such gift-giving, whether cards are placed under the tree or included in advent calendars. One in five French adults affirmed their intention to offer scratch cards to children specifically at Christmas, viewing them as gender-neutral gifts suitable for family enjoyment.
The ANJ unveils revamped digital gambling self-exclusion platform demonstrates how French regulators are simultaneously strengthening player protection tools while addressing indirect youth exposure through family traditions.
Despite the prevalence of scratch card gifting, French public opinion demonstrates strong awareness of associated risks. More than half of French adults consider giving scratch cards to children inconceivable, while 94% consider gambling games dangerous for children – rating them as more hazardous than social media or screen time.
This risk perception exists even among those who give gambling gifts. Regular gamblers show slightly less concern than non-gamblers about the practice being "very dangerous," yet nearly all French adults recognize that children who engage with gambling games risk developing addiction – including those who have previously given scratch cards as gifts.
The contradiction between widespread risk awareness and continued gift-giving practices highlights the normalization of gambling products within family traditions.
Recent research from the Research Chair on Gambling at Concordia University Montreal confirms that while scratch cards may appear as innocent entertainment, they represent a significant gateway gambling product that should not be treated casually.
| Risk Perception | Percentage | Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Consider gambling dangerous for children | 94% | Still give scratch cards as gifts |
| Find giving scratch cards inconceivable | 50%+ | Contradiction with actual practices |
| Previously gave scratch cards to children | 25% | Recognize addiction risks |
| Plan Christmas scratch card gifts | 20% | View as gender-neutral family entertainment |
Warning
Despite 94% of French adults recognizing gambling games as dangerous for children, scratch cards remain the primary gateway to gambling for young people aged 15-17. The ENJEU Mineurs study from 2021 confirms that instant games typically serve as the entry point into gambling addiction for minors.
ANJ's campaign uses social media illustrations titled "where's the problem?" to challenge families' casual attitudes toward incorporating gambling into holiday traditions. The regulator's intervention reflects growing concern about early gambling exposure among French youth.
The 2,073-person representative survey conducted by Toluna-Harris Interactive provides the foundation for ANJ's public health messaging, emphasizing the disconnect between risk recognition and actual gift-giving behaviors.
This regulatory attention signals potential tightening of youth protection measures across France's gambling sector. Operators must navigate the challenge of maintaining legitimate adult markets while addressing concerns about indirect youth exposure through family gift-giving traditions. The campaign may influence broader European regulatory approaches to gambling advertising and retail availability, particularly as other jurisdictions examine similar patterns of normalized gambling product integration into family celebrations.
Compliance Strategy
Operators should prepare for stricter youth protection measures as ANJ's campaign may influence broader European regulatory approaches. The focus on family gift-giving practices suggests regulators will examine indirect youth exposure pathways beyond traditional advertising restrictions.
According to a Toluna-Harris Interactive poll conducted from December 5-9, 2024, 20% of French adults planned to give scratch-off lottery tickets to children as Christmas presents. Additionally, 25% of French adults reported having previously given scratch cards to children.
ANJ is concerned because scratch cards serve as a gateway to gambling for young people, with studies showing 15-17 year-olds typically begin gambling with instant games. Despite 94% of adults recognizing gambling games as dangerous for children, the practice of giving them as gifts has become normalized in French families.
The French scratch card market is substantial, with 20 million players wagering nearly €11 billion in 2024. Approximately 30 different instant games are currently available at retail points of sale across the country, representing a significant segment of France's overall gambling market.
According to French National Gaming Authority (ANJ).
Legal Disclaimer
This content reflects a general overview of regulatory frameworks based on publicly available information. It does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion. iGamingWriter.blog disclaims any liability arising from reliance on this material.
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