France has begun regulating video games that feature loot boxes and other monetizable digital items, a move that could reshape the gaming industry and set a precedent for other European nations. The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), France’s national gambling authority, initiated the process on February 22, 2026, focusing on games that fall between traditional gambling and free-to-play models.
The new law, known as Jeux à Objets Numériques Monétisables (JONUM), applies to all games offering monetizable digital items, even those not currently subject to standard gambling regulations. This includes video games with loot boxes, as well as games utilizing blockchain-based items that can be resold or traded, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). According to the ANJ, the regulation aims to address the potential risks associated with these mechanics, particularly concerning addiction and financial loss.
To fall under the JONUM regulations, games must incorporate an element of chance, involve a monetary stake, and allow players to acquire digital items that can be subsequently sold, potentially for profit. The ANJ is particularly focused on systems where the value of acquired items is uncertain and relies on random generation.
The JONUM framework also introduces new player protection requirements. Games subject to the regulation will be prohibited to minors, and age verification systems will be mandatory. Operators will also be required to implement player protection mechanisms, including self-exclusion options and the ability for players to set spending limits.
The regulatory experiment is initially slated to last for three years. The ANJ has been examining promotional strategies for gambling operators for 2026, noting a 25% increase in promotional budgets, partly attributed to major sporting events. This increased scrutiny of promotional practices underscores the ANJ’s broader commitment to responsible gambling and consumer protection.
The move follows years of debate over the legality of loot boxes, with some arguing they constitute a form of gambling. In 2022, France’s regulatory authority for online games had begun to consider the issue, but progress had been limited. Belgium and the Netherlands have already banned loot boxes, but France’s approach represents a more nuanced attempt to regulate the practice rather than outright prohibit it. A petition to completely ban loot boxes in France, launched in August 2025, had garnered 59,000 of the 100,000 signatures needed to be formally considered by the National Assembly as of February 22, 2026.
The ANJ is also currently experimenting with a regulatory framework for JONUM (Jeux d’argent en ligne non autorisés), engaging with companies in the web3 sector to discuss the implications of the new rules. The outcome of this three-year experiment will likely inform future legislation and potentially influence regulatory approaches in other European countries.
