France Authorises Three-Year Trial Decree for Games with Monetisable Digital Objects

Why It Matters

The decree establishes a European benchmark for regulating play‑to‑earn and crypto‑linked games, balancing innovation with robust consumer safeguards.

Key Takeaways

• Three-year trial for JONUM games under ANJ supervision.
• Mandatory identity verification and weekly spend/playtime caps.
• Rewards limited: €1,000 non‑cash, 20% revenue crypto cap.
• Six approved game categories; casino‑like mechanics prohibited.
• Self‑exclusion tools required, immediate lockout on limit breach.

Pulse Analysis

France’s new decree builds on the 2024 digital security law, targeting the fast‑growing niche of play‑to‑earn titles that monetize in‑game assets. By classifying these games as JONUM, regulators can apply gambling‑type oversight without stifling Web3 experimentation. The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) now holds direct authority, signalling a shift toward more granular digital‑gaming governance that other EU members are watching closely. This move reflects broader concerns about crypto‑driven economies and the need for clear legal frameworks that distinguish entertainment from gambling.

Consumer protection sits at the heart of the experiment. Players must submit full identity details before account creation, and minors are barred entirely. Weekly caps on spending and playtime, coupled with real‑time warnings at 75% usage, aim to curb addictive behaviours. Self‑exclusion options ranging from 24 hours to a year are mandatory, and any limit adjustments are subject to a 48‑hour cooling period for increases. Reward structures are tightly bounded: non‑cash prizes cannot exceed €1,000 per year, and crypto payouts are limited to 20% of a game’s revenue and €25,000 per player, preventing a slide into unregulated gambling.

The decree could become a template for the EU’s approach to crypto‑gaming. By trialling strict safeguards while allowing innovation, France offers a pragmatic path that balances market growth with public policy goals. Operators will need to adapt compliance systems, potentially increasing costs but also gaining regulatory clarity. If the experiment proves successful, lawmakers may codify these measures permanently, influencing how other jurisdictions craft their own digital‑gaming statutes and shaping the future landscape of Web3 entertainment.