Online gambling in France: a limited market

The French online market is built on the principle of "allowed only by exception." The basic rule is that online gambling is prohibited unless explicitly permitted by the regulator ANJ (Autorité Nationale des Jeux) and/or a special law. In practice, this has formed a compact but tightly controlled segment.

What is allowed online

Sports betting (through licensed private operators).

Pari mutuel racing (traditionally in PMU orbit).

Online poker (cash and tournaments from licensed operators).

Lotteries and instant draws - in the exclusive mode of the national monopoly FDJ (Française des Jeux).

What is not

Classic online casino games (slots, roulette, blackjack, etc.) remain prohibited: they can only be found in land-based casinos. The idea of ​ ​ opening a vertical was discussed in 2024-2025, but proposals stalled amid objections from the offline industry and concerns about protecting players.

Who regulates and how it works

ANJ licenses and oversees online operators (betting, poker), controls marketing and player protection.

FDJ retains an exclusive on lotteries (and retail rates), the legality of the regime in 2024 confirmed the European Commission.

PMU is a historic pari-mutuel operator of horse racing.

ANJ regularly "tweaks" the market: it demands to reduce industrial budgets, limits "aggressive" incentives and bonuses, strengthens RG policy and control of targeted advertising.

Taxes and economics

France switched to a GGR base for key verticals; rates and horse racing are subject to increased rates, which is regularly discussed by the industry. In 2024-2025 the authorities raised the fiscal burden; while the aggregate market grew (leading players retain a high share).

JONUM: "web3-window" in closed wall

In 2024-2025 France created a separate mode for JONUM - "games with monetizable digital objects" (NFT/web3 models with a random without cash winnings). This is not a casino, but a new "sandbox" with its own rules of admission, warnings and sanctions for an illegal offer.

Why online casinos aren't opening right now

1. Political economy of resorts: terrestrial networks (Barrière, Partouche, etc.) fear cannibalization and advocate an ultra-strict model if legalization does happen.

2. Player Protection: ANJ points to the risks of problematic play and "aggressive" marketing in a fully open online environment.

3. Monopolies and competition: any changes affect the position of the FDJ/PMU and the balance of the market; discussions 2024-2025 showed a high degree of controversy.

Operator and player practice: what is important to know

ANJ license is required. Work without it - blocking domains/payments and sanctions. Before entering the market - careful compliance with requirements (KYC/AML, RG, advertising, limits, reporting).

Advertising and bonuses - under a magnifying glass. When planning campaigns, consider quotas, prohibitions on "excessive incentives," target restrictions and warning duties.

To players: online slots/roulette offered by unregulated sites are out of the French legal field. It is safer to hold on to the licensed segment (betting, poker, lotteries).

Figures and trends

Online growth continues, but ANJ attributes the 2025 outlook to player retention, future regulatory decisions and higher taxes.

Consolidation and "state issues." Decisions on FDJs and deals in the ecosystem fuel the debate about competition and the role of the state.

New formats (JONUM) are testing the balance of innovation and consumer protection - interest in "cash-strapped" rewards is growing, but the framework is strict.

France's online market is deliberately limited: betting, horse racing, poker and lotteries under the control of ANJ and historical monopolies, plus a neat experiment with JONUM. Legalization of online casinos remains a political issue with strong interests on both sides. In the meantime, the "full" casino experience in French is still offline.