Comparison with Great Britain, Italy, Spain
France is a "narrow" model: online betting on sports, betting on races, online poker and lotteries are allowed; online casinos (slots, roulette, blackjack) are prohibited. The UK, Italy and Spain go the other way: online casinos are allowed, but the severity of the rules and advertising varies. Below is a practical comparison without unnecessary theory.
1) What is allowed online
France (ANJ):- Allowed: betting, horse racing (pari mutuel), online poker, lotteries (FDJ).
- Prohibited: online slots, online roulette/blackjack (full casino set - offline only).
- Allowed: full spectrum - slots, roulette/card games (including live casinos), bets, poker, bingo.
- Features: one of the most mature remote gambling systems: mandatory verification, affordability/game limits, technical slot standards (spin speed, auto-play, pop-up warnings).
- Allowed: online slots, roulette/card, betting, poker, bingo.
- Features: strict technical and certification requirements; high role of local license, hard advertising.
- Allowed: online slots, roulette/card, betting, poker, bingo.
- Features: one of the toughest advertising models in the EU: restrictions on bonuses for new players and narrow "windows" of advertising.
2) Advertising and bonuses (tonality and frames)
France: "restrained" tone, prohibition of aggressive incentives, targeting control; emphasis on warnings and limits.
UK: developed "safer gambling" system: game reality triggers, slot mechanic restrictions, cost availability checks; advertising is permissible, but with serious reservations about the content/audience.
Italy: de facto ban on direct gambling advertising (with rare informational exceptions); marketing goes to CRM/on-site.
Spain: "narrow" advertising windows, bans on part of welcome bonuses; tough age-gating rules.
3) Land casinos and the "route of the evening"
France: offline casinos - cultural anchors of tourism (Riviera, Normandy, Alps). Strong focus on French roulette (La Partage/En Prison), gastronomy and theatres.
UK: urban format (London, Manchester, etc.), complements a large online market; less "resort," more "city-night."
Italy: both historical (San Remo) and modern sites; the season and the flow of tourists are significant.
Spain: urban and resort complexes (including Canary/BALEARIC destinations), often with large slot halls and live casinos.
4) Responsible play and control
France: deposit/time limits, self-exclusion, age verification; offline - strict login (ID).
UK: the most advanced RG tools online: affordability checks, personal limits, risk mechanics bans.
Italy/Spain: full digital verification, self-exclusion, centralized registers of suspended players, control of κ mechanics and bonuses.
5) Taxes and the economy (in a nutshell)
France: withdrawals count mainly with GGR; the lottery is a key donor to the budget; online casinos are not → offline casinos and lotto backbone.
UK: separate modes for remote gambling; the tax burden is tangible, but predictable for operators of a global scale.
Italy/Spain: GGR-taxes/duties on online verticals; advertising and product restrictions affect the unit economy and make markets "more expensive" to attract.
6) Player experience: how you will feel in practice
France:- Online betting/poker/lotto with neat marketing and strong RG frames.
- Casino experience - offline: smart casual dress code, French roulette, blackjack 3:2, baccarat, gastronomy and show.
- Full set of online casinos + rich live, a wide range of limits; in exchange - more checks, pop-up warnings and slot restrictions.
- Legal online casino with powerful certification, but practically without "outdoor" advertising; a lot - through loyalty/account.
- Allowed online casino with strict restrictions on bonuses and advertising; verification and age barriers are of great importance.
7) Cheat sheet: "what to choose" at the request of the player
I want legal online slots/live without gray zone: UK, Italy, Spain.
I want "evening with etiquette" and French roulette: France (offline casino).
Sensitive to advertising and "noise": France/Spain (restrained models).
We need the widest online selection and developed RG tools: Great Britain.
8) Quick cases for operators (if you look at France)
1. Online portfolio: sports/poker/horse racing only; no online casinos.
2. Marketing: moderate tone, strong RG modules, CRM> performance advertising.
3. Offline links: partnerships with resort casinos, "dinner + game," MICE/events.
4. Data and compliance: KYC/AML according to the French standard, transparent reporting for ANJ.
9) Mini table of differences (essence in the palm of your hand)
Online casinos:10) Player tips (France as a base)
Want slots online "according to the rules" - consider legitimate markets (UK/IT/ES) as a tourist/resident of those countries; in France, no.
For a "casino evening" in France, plan an offline lounge: take ID, choose a table with La Partage/En Prison, book dinner in advance.
Online select licensed operators (sports/poker/horse racing/lotto), include limits and 2FA.
France remains unique: online casinos are prohibited, but offline is part of the country's tourist DNA. The UK, Italy and Spain allow online slots and live casinos, but build hard barriers through advertising, verification and Responsible Gaming. Choosing a legal zone is a choice of compromise: maximum online assortment (UK/IT/ES) or elegant offline experience and discreet online (FR).