ANJ and ARPEJ Release ENJEU-Mineurs 2025 Study on Hybrid Games and Gambling Among French Teens

France's gambling regulator ANJ partnered with research body ARPEJ to publish the ENJEU-Mineurs 2025 study, which examined how 15- to 17-year-olds engage with games that blend video gaming and gambling mechanics. The report analyzed data from a survey of 5,000 teens and highlighted participation rates in hybrid formats such as social casino games, loot boxes, and free demo versions of gambling products.

Scope of the ENJEU-Mineurs 2025 Research

The study focused specifically on hybrid games that combine traditional gaming elements with gambling features, and it measured both participation levels and associated risk indicators. Researchers collected responses from 5,000 adolescents across France to establish baseline figures on exposure and behavior patterns, while the partnership between ANJ and ARPEJ ensured regulatory oversight aligned with empirical data collection methods.

According to the ENJEU-Mineurs 2025 study (published summary), 39 percent of French 15- to 17-year-olds reported playing these hybrid games. The survey broke down the types of mechanics involved, noting that loot boxes, social casino simulations, and unrestricted demo modes formed the core categories that attracted teen users.

Key Participation and Risk Findings

Data from the survey showed clear differences in gambling risk scores between groups. Teens who played hybrid games and also engaged in regulated gambling activities recorded higher risk scores than those who only played the hybrid titles. Spending patterns within the hybrid games further correlated with elevated risk indicators, as participants who made purchases inside these environments demonstrated stronger associations with problem gambling markers.

The study tracked how free demo versions and social casino mechanics serve as entry points, since they allow repeated exposure without initial financial commitment. Observers note that the 39 percent participation rate reflects widespread availability of these formats on platforms popular with younger users, and the 5,000-respondent sample provided sufficient scale to identify statistically relevant trends across demographic subgroups.

Connections Between Hybrid Play and Gambling Behavior

Researchers examined overlap between hybrid game users and those who transition into actual gambling. The findings indicated that teens reporting both activities displayed compounded risk profiles, with in-game spending acting as an additional predictor of higher scores on standardized gambling risk assessments. The data collection process included validated screening tools that quantified frequency, expenditure, and behavioral intensity.

Hybrid games often incorporate randomized reward systems similar to slot mechanics or betting structures, which the study linked to increased engagement levels. When teens combined these experiences with traditional gambling, the cumulative effect on risk scores became more pronounced, suggesting a reinforcement pathway that regulators and researchers continue to monitor through ongoing data analysis.

Regulatory Context and Data Implications

ANJ's involvement in the project underscores its mandate to track emerging product categories that may influence underage gambling exposure. The partnership with ARPEJ enabled detailed segmentation of the 5,000 responses, revealing patterns in how spending on hybrid titles correlates with broader risk elevation. Figures from the survey provide regulators with concrete benchmarks for evaluating current prevention measures and potential policy adjustments.

The report presents the 39 percent participation statistic alongside breakdowns by game type, allowing comparisons between loot box users and those favoring social casino formats. This level of detail supports evidence-based discussions on how free demo access and in-game purchases shape teen behavior without requiring speculation beyond the collected data.

Conclusion

The ENJEU-Mineurs 2025 study supplies regulators and researchers with updated measurements of hybrid game engagement among French 15- to 17-year-olds. By documenting the 39 percent participation rate from a 5,000-teen sample and establishing links between combined hybrid play, actual gambling, and elevated risk scores tied to spending, the findings offer a factual foundation for continued monitoring. ANJ and ARPEJ's collaboration ensures these statistics remain accessible for future reference and policy development focused on this specific demographic.