Exploring European Online Gambling Markets – France

Published: April 23, 2024 | Author: Ron Clarke

In this fifth part of our series exploring the online gambling markets across Europe, following our articles on Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands, we shift our focus to France. As one of Europe’s largest economies, France presents a unique and mature gambling market characterized by robust regulatory mechanisms and significant growth in online sectors despite global challenges.

Regulatory Framework

France’s online gambling market is regulated under the stringent oversight of L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), which ensures responsible gambling practices and the protection of vulnerable players in the digital sphere. The ANJ enforces a detailed regulatory framework specifically designed to govern online activities such as sports betting, horse race betting, and online poker. Notably, most traditional casino games like roulette, slots, and blackjack are prohibited online and are exclusively available in licensed land-based casinos.

The regulations for online gambling in France include strict licensing procedures that all operators must pass to offer services legally. Continuous monitoring and audits are conducted to ensure compliance with the set regulations. Operators are obligated to adhere to rigorous consumer protection standards, which cover aspects like fair play, fraud prevention, and anti-money laundering measures. The regulatory framework also includes enforced mechanisms for self-exclusion, which help combat gambling addiction, and strict limits on gambling advertising to reduce exposure and impact on vulnerable groups.

This focused approach reflects the government’s commitment to minimizing gambling-related harm while fostering a safe and regulated environment for online gamblers. Since the implementation of a 2019 ordinance mandating annual prevention plans, operators in France have been actively engaged in initiatives aimed at reducing excessive and underage gambling. In a recent review of operators’ action plans, ANJ has highlighted significant strides in controlling problem gambling across the nation.

France’s Online Gambling Market in 2023

In 2023, France’s total gambling market reached a landmark figure, setting a new record with a Gross Gambling Revenue (GGR) of €13.4 billion. This represents the highest level of activity ever recorded, indicating a robust recovery and growth dynamic following the temporary decline due to the Covid-19 health crisis. The growth was observed across all market segments, showing resilience and an upward trajectory in the industry. Online platforms displayed accelerated growth and wider reach, while land-based establishments maintained their appeal through traditional gambling experiences.

France’s online gambling market demonstrated notable growth across various segments:

• Sports Betting: This segment continued to dominate the online scene, contributing 63.3% to the online GGR. Sports betting grew by 6.4%, reaching a GGR of €1.5 billion, with the amount wagered rising by 2.2% to approximately €8.49 billion. Despite the lack of major sporting events, the sector maintained strong revenue growth, although there was a noticeable decline in the number of unique players and active accounts, suggesting a concentration of betting activity among a smaller, perhaps more engaged group of bettors.
• Horse Racing Betting: The online GGR for horse racing betting increased by 1.9% to €353 million, while the total stakes grew by 5.1% to €1.513 billion. This segment attracted new players and demonstrated higher loyalty rates compared to other forms of online gambling, evident from the fewer average accounts per player.
• Poker: The poker segment saw a significant resurgence, with online poker’s GGR surging by 14.1% to €504 million. The growth in poker was driven by the popularity of multi-table tournaments and Sit&Go games, which remain favored formats among online poker enthusiasts.

Looking Ahead

As we witness France’s online gambling market adapting and growing under rigorous regulatory standards, the future holds promising prospects, especially with upcoming global sporting events. These events offer a pivotal moment for operators to leverage the surge in betting activities while emphasizing the importance of responsible gambling practices.