France online gambling revenue jumps 11% to €1.45bn
France’s regulated online gambling market generated €1.45 billion in gross gaming revenue during the first six months of 2026, an increase of 11% driven by sports betting and online poker.
New figures released by gambling regulator Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) on October 15 show online gambling was the only major segment to record growth during the period.
The wider French gambling market, excluding land-based casinos and gaming clubs, generated €5.66 billion in gross gaming revenue, representing an increase of just 0.5%.
That compares with growth of 4.1% during the corresponding period in 2025.
Online gambling accounted for 25.6% of the market covered by the report, reflecting its growing importance as traditional lottery and retail horse racing operations experienced weaker results.
Sports betting remained the largest contributor to online gambling revenue, with the segment generating €995 million in gross gaming revenue, an increase of 11.6% compared with the first half of 2025.
French customers wagered approximately €6.6 billion on online sports betting during the six-month period, up 10.6%, with the regulator identifying the FIFA World Cup as a major contributor to the increase in betting activity.
Sports betting turnover increased 47% during June, when the tournament began, compared with growth of just 4% between January and May.
The number of active sports betting accounts also increased sharply during June, rising 69% compared with the corresponding month in 2025.
Operators substantially increased their marketing activity around the tournament, with customer acquisition bonuses during June almost four times higher than a year earlier.
Online poker also performed strongly, generating €290 million in gross gaming revenue, an increase of 13.4%. The regulator reported particularly strong growth in Sit & Go poker, while the number of active poker accounts increased 39% across the first half.
Online horse racing betting turnover increased 16% to €920 million, although the number of active customers rose by just 3%.
Across all three regulated online gambling segments, France recorded 5.85 million active player accounts, up 24% year-on-year.
The figures represent player accounts rather than necessarily 5.85 million unique individuals, as customers can hold accounts with multiple operators.
Traditional gambling businesses recorded a more difficult period.
FDJ United reported a 2% decline in gross gaming revenue from its exclusive-rights activities in France to €3.43 billion.
Meanwhile, horse racing betting operator PMU recorded a 5.8% decline in gross gaming revenue to €782 million.
France permits licensed online sports betting, horse racing betting and poker, but online casino slots and roulette remain prohibited.
The ANJ said the market’s performance during the remainder of 2026 would depend partly on whether customers attracted during the World Cup continued gambling after the tournament.
