France’s regulated gambling market grew by 3 per cent in 2025, reaching a gross gaming revenue (GGR) of €14.1 billion ($16.6 billion), according to the latest annual review from l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ).
Online gambling remained the standout performer, with GGR climbing 8.5 per cent to €2.617 billion ($3.07 billion). Gains across online betting, horse racing, and poker lifted the sector’s share of the overall market to 18.5 per cent, up from 16.4 per cent in 2023.
Compared to the sharp decline in 2020, the French gambling industry bounced back, showing a steady annual growth, with online betting and poker dominating the sectors. Since 2019, online GGR has increased more than 20 per cent, underscoring structural expansion beyond temporary rebounds.
FDJ United, the state lottery and retail sports betting monopoly, continues to anchor the market. It generated €6.95 billion ($8.1 billion), a 2.8 per cent increase, accounting for nearly half of total GGR. Casinos also rebounded, with GGR rising 3.4 per cent to €2.816 billion ($3.3 billion), supported by a 2 per cent increase in admissions to 31.6 million visits. Slot machines remained dominant, contributing 82 per cent of casino revenues.
Data from 2025 shows that a younger, digitally savvy audience is driving online growth. Older players, on the other hand, remain loyal to lotteries and retail betting. Still, participation is rising, with more multi-activity players and increased female engagement, as reported by several media outlets.
Online sector momentum
In the online sector, sports betting led the growth, increasing by up to 10.4 per cent to €1.766 billion ($2.07 billion). Meanwhile, stakes rose 12 per cent to €11.517 billion ($13.5 billion), with football and tennis driving nearly 80 per cent of the increase.
Horse racing posted modest growth, up 2.4 per cent to €326 million ($383 million). Poker revenues advanced 6.5 per cent to €525 million ($616 million), buoyed by tournaments. Active poker accounts jumped 16.5 per cent to 2.5 million, while unique players rose 15.1 per cent to 1.9 million.
Overall participation expanded: unique online players increased 7.5 per cent to 4.2 million, while active accounts rose 7.1 per cent to 6.1 million. Multi-activity players grew by 25 per cent, signalling diversification in gambling behaviour.
European context
France’s 3 per cent growth mirrors broader European trends. While it trails behind the UK’s 4.3 per cent expansion, it outpaces Italy’s 1.9 per cent. The French online operations, for instance, grew while the UK and Netherlands saw declines of 8 per cent. Globally, France ranks seventh in GGR and third in Europe, behind Italy and the UK.
Regulatory outlook
ANJ remains cautious despite the gains. Its review has shed light on striving to reduce problem gambling by 2027. According to the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, findings in 2024 revealed that about 1.17 million residents exhibited problematic gambling behaviour, with 360,000 classified as excessive players.
Today’s regulatory measures now extend to Jeux à Objets Numériques Monétisables (JONUM), covering monetisable digital games with gambling-like mechanics, like tradeable in-game items. While not formally classified as gambling, these formats will be subject to tailored oversight.
The regulator also flagged upcoming fiscal policies and major events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as potential market influencers.
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