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Permitted: poker, sports betting, horse racing, lotteries
The online gambling market in France is built on the principle "exactly what is listed in the ANJ law and regulations is allowed." Full-fledged online casino games (slots, roulette, blackjack) are not included in this list, but four verticals are available legally - subject to strict requirements for license, advertising and player protection.
Single Paragraph Market Picture
Regulator: ANJ (Autorité Nationale des Jeux) oversees online operators, marketing and Responsible Gaming.
Monopolies/historical operators: FDJ - lotteries; PMU - horse racing pari-mutuel (online and offline).
Private licenses: Sports betting and online poker are available to ANJ licensed private operators.
What is prohibited: online slots, online roulette and other classic casino games remain outside the permitted list.
1) Sports betting (online)
Who can work. Private companies with an ANJ license, their own KYC/AML systems and turnover reporting/GGR.
Line and markets. Permitted sports and betting types are determined by the regulator; live bets are allowed within the approved rules.
Advertising and bonuses. Strictly rationed: age restrictions, warnings, bans on "excessive incentives," limits on tone and coverage of campaigns.
Responsible play. Self-control tools are required: deposit/time limits, self-exclusion, age verification.
2) Horse racing (pari mutuel)
Model. Pari mutuel (general pool of rates with bank sharing) - historical French specifics.
Operator. PMU controls the vertical both online and in ground retail, synchronizing the product with the horse racing calendar.
Features for the player. There are no fixed odds in the classic form - winnings depend on the pool. Betting formats and minimum rates - according to PMU regulations.
3) Online poker
Licenses. Private rooms operate under ANJ license; cash games and tournaments are allowed.
Formats. NLHE and PLO are basic disciplines, series with multi-day events and satellites are possible.
Players and liquidity. The field is mixed: local regular players, amateurs, tourist traffic. Rums are prescribed RG mechanics, promo control and anti-exclusion instruments.
4) Lotteries and instant draws
Status. The National Lottery is the prerogative of the FDJ; online sales and instant gaming are available within the established catalog.
Communications. Advertising and promotional lotteries also fall under the requirements for warnings and the prevention of aggressive incentives.
ANJ role: Oversight 'across the chain'
Market access: audit of the origin of funds, technical systems, responsible marketing.
Advertising monitoring: predefined prohibitions/restrictions, control of content and channels, work with violations.
Player protection: mandatory limits, self-exclusion, 18 + verification, communication policy with vulnerable groups.
Reporting: regular transmission of data on turnover and GGR, compliance with fiscal rules.
Taxes and calculations (high-level)
France applies taxation from GGR (gross gaming income) for key verticals; rates for different segments vary and are reviewed periodically. For the operator, this means attention to margin and cost management, for the player - the stability of payments within a transparent system.
What remains banned online
Classic casino games: slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat in online format.
"Gray" sites: domains without an ANJ license are subject to blocking and sanctions; payments may not be made or disputed.
Practice and player advice
1. Check your license. Bet and play only with operators mentioned by the regulator.
2. Use RG tools. Deposit, time and break limits are part of the normal hygiene of the game.
3. Be careful with the promo. In France, bonuses and their presentation are limited - "too generous" offers are often a sign of an unregulated site.
4. Remember about lotteries/PMU. For lotto and horse racing, separate rules and operators apply - FDJ and PMU.
What it means for the operator
Strict compliance framework: KYC/AML, data protection, responsible marketing, reporting in ANJ.
Product-market-fit: in sports - legal types of betting and tournaments; in poker - software certification, anti-fraud, bot/collusion policy.
Cautious brand tone: Campaigns require age-gating, warnings and moderate engagement mechanics.
France allows four online verticals: sports betting, horse racing betting mutuel, online poker and lotteries. They all exist in a narrow corridor of rules overseen by the ANJ, with the historical role of the FDJ and PMU. The model deliberately limits the assortment online and transfers the "full casino experience" to ground halls - with an emphasis on safety, responsibility and predictability for the player.