The regime follows the adoption of implementing decrees earlier this month and stems from provisions introduced under the SREN Act, which was enacted in May 2024. The framework will operate on an experimental basis for three years.

A New Legal Category Between Gaming and Gambling

JONUM, short for Jeux à Objets Numériques Monétisables, applies to online games that allow players to obtain digital assets such as NFTs or blockchain-based items that may later be resold on secondary markets.

Crucially, however, these games are prohibited from offering winnings in legal tender. While they may involve a financial stake and an element of chance, they cannot function like licensed gambling products that distribute cash prizes.

The framework also imposes restrictions on how rewards are structured, including limits on the total value that a player can accumulate through digital assets over time. By doing so, France aims to prevent excessive monetisation dynamics that could mirror gambling behaviour.

Strong Consumer Protection Requirements

The new regime incorporates safeguards comparable to those applied in France’s regulated gambling sector.

Operators must verify both the identity and age of users at account creation, with minors strictly prohibited from accessing JONUM products. Mandatory responsible gaming tools are also required, including spending caps, time limits and self-exclusion mechanisms.

In addition, operators must file a formal declaration with the French gambling regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux, before launching any JONUM product. Ongoing transparency obligations apply, including reporting activity logs and, where blockchain infrastructure is used, enabling monitoring of digital wallets to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering standards.

The regulator retains oversight powers to monitor financial flows and ensure the games remain within the boundaries defined by the experimental framework.

Regulatory Clarity for Web3 Gaming

France’s approach represents one of the first attempts in Europe to craft a bespoke regulatory structure for blockchain-based gaming rather than forcing such products into existing gambling or consumer law frameworks.

By drawing a clear legal distinction between monetisable digital object games and traditional gambling, the French government aims to encourage innovation while maintaining oversight and player protection.

Broader European Debate Around Digital Monetisation

Across Europe, other jurisdictions have taken varied approaches to similar mechanics, particularly loot boxes and chance-based in-game purchases.

Belgium has classified certain paid loot boxes as illegal gambling under national law, prompting several publishers to remove them from the market. The Netherlands has also scrutinised loot box mechanics under existing gambling rules, pressuring developers to modify or withdraw certain features.

The United Kingdom has taken a more cautious approach, with regulators concluding that most loot boxes fall outside gambling legislation because virtual items cannot typically be converted directly into cash. Instead of immediate statutory reform, UK authorities have encouraged industry-led safeguards and age restrictions.

Against this backdrop, France’s JONUM framework positions the country as a regulatory first mover in formally defining and supervising monetisable digital object games within a controlled, time-limited experiment.

Sources: IGB