Staying in control with Cad Den in France

Cad Den is an independent guide to licensed sports betting in France.

We are not a bookmaker: you cannot open an account, place bets, or buy “expert tips” here.

Our job is simple – to help adults keep betting small, occasional, and manageable. A bet should never come before your health, your money, or the people you care about.

On this page, we explain in plain language:

  • how Cad Den understands “safer play”
  • early signs that betting may be getting out of hand
  • which protection tools you can find on French-licensed betting sites
  • how the national self-exclusion system (run by ANJ) works
  • where to get free, confidential support if gambling feels heavy or stressful

How Cad Den sees responsible betting

For Cad Den, responsible gambling means you stay in charge, not the other way round. In everyday life, that usually means:

  • you only place bets when you feel calm, rested, and able to think clearly
  • you set a money limit and a time limit before you start, and you stick to them
  • you treat gambling as paid entertainment, not as income or a way to solve personal or financial problems

Betting should fit around your normal life, not replace it. It should never damage your:

  • relationship with your partner, children, family, or close friends
  • job, business, studies, or training
  • ability to pay rent, loans, bills, food, transport, and other essentials
  • sleep, mood, mental balance, or physical health

If gambling begins to hurt any of these areas, that is a serious signal that something needs to change.

Warning signs that betting may be turning into a problem

Certain behaviours can show that control is slipping. You might, for example:

  • use money for gambling that was meant for rent, bills, debts, food, or transport
  • play mainly to win back losses, not for fun
  • hide how often you gamble or how much you spend from your partner, family, or friends
  • miss work, classes, or important plans because of gambling or constantly checking odds and results
  • borrow money, open new credit, or sell belongings just to keep betting
  • feel strong guilt, shame, stress, or sadness after gambling

If several of these points sound familiar, it may be the right time to slow down, talk to someone you trust, or contact a professional support service.

Tools for safer play on French-licensed betting sites

Every online operator licensed in France must offer tools that help adults manage their gambling. These functions are useful for everyone, not only for people already in deep difficulty.

1. Deposit and spending limits

You can choose a maximum amount of money you allow yourself to deposit over a specific period, for example:

  • per day
  • per week
  • per month

When you reach that limit, you cannot add more funds until the next period starts. This makes it easier to respect a budget and avoid impulsive overspending.

2. Time settings and session reminders

Many authorised betting sites and apps in France let you:

  • turn on pop-up messages that show how long you have been logged in
  • set a maximum length for each playing session

These reminders encourage regular breaks and help prevent long, intense sessions where time disappears without you noticing.

3. Blocking yourself from one specific bookmaker

If one particular site is causing problems, you can ask that operator to block your account for a chosen period. During this block:

  • you cannot log in to your existing account
  • you are not allowed to open a new account with the same brand

This can be a useful step if you need distance from one operator but are not yet ready to use the nationwide self-exclusion system.

National self-exclusion in France (ANJ)

France offers a national self-exclusion system for adults who feel that their gambling is no longer under control.

Key points:

  • any adult who feels at risk can ask to be banned from gambling
  • the process is managed by the National Gambling Authority (ANJ)
  • once active, the ban applies to:
    • land-based casinos
    • gaming clubs
    • licensed online betting and gaming websites available in France

Duration of self-exclusion:

  • the minimum period is three years
  • it is not possible to choose a shorter term
  • after three years, the ban does not end automatically
  • you remain excluded until you contact the authorities and request that the ban be lifted

To start the process or read the official rules, you can visit the ANJ website:

🌐 ANJ official website: https://anj.fr

Help and counselling in France

If gambling is creating problems in your life – or if you are worried about someone close to you – you do not have to face everything alone. There are services in France that can listen, inform, and support you.

Players Info Service (Joueurs Info Service)

📞 Phone: 09 74 75 13 13

🕒 Opening hours: every day, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

More details:

  • you can remain anonymous; you do not have to give your name
  • the call is billed like a standard local call and is often included in internet-box or mobile packages
  • Players Info Service is run by the French National Public Health Agency

Their team can:

  • listen without judging you
  • explain the risks linked to gambling and possible consequences
  • guide you towards local support services or treatment centres if you would like extra help

Evalujeu

Evalujeu is an online self-assessment tool that helps you think about your gambling behaviour. It allows you to:

  • answer questions about how, when, and why you gamble
  • receive an indication of whether your risk level seems low, medium, or high

It is not a medical diagnosis, but it can be a useful first step if you are unsure how serious your gambling might be.

Protecting minors (under 18)

In France, gambling is strictly forbidden for anyone under 18. Licensed operators must apply strong measures to keep minors away from their services, including:

  • identity and age checks when a new account is created
  • additional controls when activity looks unusual or suspicious
  • closing or blocking accounts that do not respect age rules

Adults also play a crucial role. It is essential to never:

  • open a betting account in your name for someone under 18
  • place bets on behalf of a minor or let them use your account

Simple everyday habits for safer betting

These small habits can make a big difference:

  • only gamble with money that is left after rent, bills, food, and other essentials are paid
  • avoid betting when you are very tired, angry, stressed, drunk, or under the influence of drugs
  • accept that losing is part of gambling; do not chase losses with new bets
  • set a time limit and a money limit before you start, then respect them
  • take regular breaks away from screens, odds, and betting apps
  • keep hobbies, sports, and social activities that have nothing to do with gambling
  • talk openly about your gambling with someone you trust

Useful contacts and resources

Reaching out early is usually easier than waiting until everything feels overwhelming. These resources may help:

Phone support in France

Players Info Service: 09 74 75 13 13

Online information and support

Cad Den cannot solve personal problems for you, but we can point you towards tools and services that exist to protect you. Asking for help – or choosing self-exclusion – is not a weakness. It is often the first strong, practical step towards feeling safer and more in control again.