Pascal Chevremont has been nominated by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to lead the Autorité Nationale des Jeux, France’s National Gambling Authority.
The veteran civil servant made his case for the presidency before a committee of the National Assembly on 17 June 2026, laying out a firm vision for the role.
Chevremont has identified what he sees as deep-rooted contradictions running through French betting laws and regulations, and views stronger oversight as the only viable solution.
“The gambling sector is rife with contradictions,” Chevremont told the committee during his confirmation hearing, setting a combative tone from the outset.
He pointed out that French law establishes a principle of prohibition on gambling activities, and yet around 22 million French citizens of gambling age participate in them regularly.
“The internal security code establishes the principle of a ban on activities, and yet they are practiced by one in two French people of gambling age, i.e. 22 million of our fellow citizens,” he said.
Chevremont also raised alarm over the proportion of those players who are either minors or have developed a serious addiction to gambling, noting that existing frameworks are failing to protect them.
“The primary directive of the framework as it is established is to protect players, and yet studies show a significant number of players are minors or have become addicted to gambling,” he told the committee.
He made clear that asserting the ANJ’s authority over both legal and illegal gambling activity would be among his top priorities once he takes up the post.
Chevremont stated that the French betting sector requires a “committed and dynamic authority,” signalling that his leadership will be defined by active enforcement rather than passive oversight.
His commitment to tackling illegal gambling is expected to be broadly welcomed by regulated operators across France and the wider European market.
“Its primary objective is to reduce the negative effects of gambling activities on public health and social order,” he said, outlining his core mission for the ANJ.
Chevremont will serve as ANJ President for a term of six years, succeeding Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin in the role.
The appointment marks a significant moment for French gambling regulation, with the industry watching closely to see how aggressively the new chief pursues his stated agenda.
