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Online casinos in France
France is one of the oldest countries in the world of gambling, where traditions are combined with state control and a responsible approach. Here are the famous casinos - Monte Carlo, Deauville, Engien-les-Bains - as well as the dynamically developing online market, which, despite the restrictions, remains one of the largest in Europe.
History and legal framework
Gambling in France has been regulated by the state for more than 200 years. The first casino appeared in the 17th century, and modern control principles were enshrined in the Gambling Act (Loi n ° 2010-476) of May 12, 2010, which was a turning point in the history of gambling.
It was this law that first legalized online gambling, but with restrictions - only:- sports betting,
- poker,
- horse racing and lotteries.
The activity is regulated by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) - the National Gambling Authority, formerly known as ARJEL.
ANJ reports to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and controls both the terrestrial and online segments.
The main tasks of ANJ are:- operator licensing;
- controlling player payments and safety;
- monitoring of advertising and marketing;
- fighting addiction and illegal sites;
- protection of minors.
Licensing and taxation
To operate in the French market, the operator must obtain an ANJ license, which is issued for a period of 5 years.
Requirements include:- registration of a legal entity in France or the EU;
- proof of financial stability;
- RNG and software certification;
- compliance with responsible play policies.
7.5% of bets (for sports betting companies);
2% of poker turnover;
about 33% corporate income tax;
annual licensing fees and audits.
This load makes the market highly regulated, but attractive to large operators due to the stability and trust of users.
Online gambling: allowed and prohibited formats
In France, online gambling is partially legal.
Allowed:- online sports betting (football, tennis, basketball, e-sports, etc.);
- online poker;
- horse racing betting;
- online lotteries and scratch cards (through the state operator Française des Jeux, FDJ).
Online casinos (slots, roulette, blackjack) remain prohibited by law.
However, French residents actively use foreign sites with licenses from Malta, Curacao and Gibraltar, which actually creates a shadow market for online casinos.
Land-based casinos
France is a country with one of the largest land-based casino networks in Europe - more than 200 establishments.
They work under the control of the Home Office and local authorities.
Major operators:- Groupe Barrière - more than 30 casinos nationwide;
- Partouche Group is one of Europe's oldest brands;
- Joa Group - modern entertainment complexes with restaurants and live rooms;
- Casino d'Enghien-les-Bains is the largest and most luxurious casino in France, near Paris.
- slot machines;
- roulette, blackjack, baccarat;
- poker and bingo;
- horse racing bets (in some complexes).
Popular operators and sites
Licensed French online platforms operate within a strictly defined framework.
The largest ANJ licensed brands are:- Winamax, PokerStars. fr, Unibet. fr, ZEturf, PMU. fr, Betclic, ParionsSport. fr.
International sites without a French license (for example, Stake, BC. Game, Bet365, LeoVegas, Bitcasino. io) are technically available but not officially permitted.
However, users often use them via VPN, reflecting the demand for online casinos and slots.
Popular games and player interests
French players traditionally choose:- sports betting (especially football, tennis and Formula One);
- online poker, including tournaments and cash games;
- the Française des Jeux (FDJ) lotteries;
- PMU horse betting;
- video slots and roulette - on offshore sites.
Mobile gambling is actively developing: more than 75% of users play through smartphones, and leading operators are adapting sites for Android and iOS.
Payment methods and currencies
The official currency is the euro (EUR).
Main payment methods:- Visa/MasterCard bank cards;
- e-wallets Skrill, Neteller, PayPal;
- Paysafecard prepaid cards;
- SEPA bank transfers;
- Apple Pay, Google Pay;
- cryptocurrencies - not allowed on French licensed sites, but actively used on offshore platforms.
Economic importance
Gambling makes a significant contribution to the French economy.
According to ANJ, the annual turnover of the gambling industry exceeds €12 billion, of which:- about 40% comes from lotteries (FDJ),
- 35% - on rates,
- 25% - on land casinos.
The industry provides more than 50,000 jobs and generates about €1.5 billion in taxes per year for sports, culture and social programs.
Responsible play and limitations
France adheres to strict norms of responsible gambling:- minimum age - 18 years;
- the state's Joueurs Exclus Volontaires (JEV) program allows players to voluntarily block access to gambling;
- mandatory rate and time limits;
- a ban on aggressive advertising;
- active work with ADDICTEL, SOS Joueurs, ANPAA organizations.
Challenges and challenges
The main problems of the French gambling market:- banning online casinos that encourage the use of offshore sites;
- high taxes and administrative barriers;
- competition with unlicensed platforms;
- the need to adapt legislation to cryptocurrencies and Web3 gambling.
ANJ has already announced its intention to revise the ban on online casinos in 2025-2026.
Development prospects
France is gradually moving towards liberalizing online gambling.
Government plans include:- allowing online casinos in a regulated format;
- reducing the tax burden for licensees;
- development of a national system of player self-control;
- implementing AI and blockchain technologies to control transactions.
Thanks to a strong legislative framework, financial stability and cultural traditions, France remains one of the most influential players in the global gambling market.
Its path is a balance between freedom, security and social responsibility, which makes the French gambling model one of the most respected in Europe.
