France’s regulated gambling market recorded moderate growth in 2025, with gross gaming revenue rising 3% to €14.1 billion, according to the national regulator ANJ.

The increase reflects continued expansion across key verticals, particularly online betting, alongside stable performance from the lottery and a recovery in casino activity.

Online gambling drives growth

Online gambling was the primary growth engine, with revenue rising 8.5% to €2.6 billion. The segment now represents 18.5% of the total market, up from 16.4% two years earlier.

Sports betting led this expansion, generating €1.77 billion in GGR, up 10.4%. Football and tennis accounted for the majority of betting activity, while player numbers and betting volumes also increased significantly.

Poker revenue grew 6.5%, driven by tournament formats, while horse racing posted more modest gains of 2.4%.

Player activity and diversification increasing

User engagement continued to rise, with 4.2 million unique online players and 6.1 million active accounts recorded in 2025.

A notable trend is the increase in multi-activity players, which rose by 25%, indicating that users are engaging across multiple gambling verticals rather than a single product.

Lottery and casinos remain key pillars

The state lottery operator FDJ generated €6.95 billion in revenue, accounting for nearly half of the total market. Meanwhile, land-based casinos reported a 3.4% increase in GGR to €2.8 billion, supported by a rise in visitor numbers.

Slot machines continue to dominate casino revenues, contributing more than 80% of total income.

Regulatory focus shifts to risk management

Despite steady growth, the ANJ has raised concerns about the potential increase in gambling-related harm, particularly as online participation expands.

Estimates suggest over one million individuals in France exhibit problematic gambling behaviour, prompting calls for stronger player protection measures and improved intervention tools.

Outlook ahead of major events

Looking forward, the regulator has identified 2026 as a critical year, with factors such as fiscal changes, market competition and the FIFA World Cup expected to influence gambling activity.

The ANJ emphasises the need to balance market growth with risk mitigation, as France continues to refine its regulatory approach in an evolving gambling landscape.

Sources: IGB