France's Gambling Industry Soars to €14 Billion in 2024

In 2024, the French gambling sector experienced unprecedented growth, achieving a new high with €14 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR). This represented a 4.7% increase from the previous year, primarily driven by a surge in online sports betting. The country's hosting of the Euro football championship and the Paris Olympic Games significantly boosted this sector. Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, President of the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), commented on the industry's rapid growth, stating, “The French market is growing at a pace comparable to major European markets. While operators were particularly active in 2024 due to major sporting events, the first months of 2025 confirm this growth dynamic.”

Online Gambling and Player Demographics Propel Growth

Online gambling emerged as the primary driver behind the sector's success, with revenues hitting €2.6 billion—an impressive 12% increase year-over-year. Online sports betting alone generated €1.8 billion, a 19% rise that contributed to 43% of the overall growth in the gambling sector. This segment now constitutes more than 12% of France's total gambling revenue. The number of active online player accounts surged to 5.7 million, up 11%, while the number of unique players increased by 8% to 3.9 million. Notably, nearly one-third of online sports bettors fall within the 18 to 24 age range, and the gender balance among players continues to equalize.

However, not all online segments thrived equally. Online poker saw a 2% decline after years of consistent growth, and horse racing betting experienced a modest 1% increase.

Intense Marketing and Dominance of Major Sports

The increase in online gambling was not solely due to sporting events; operators employed aggressive marketing strategies, significantly expanding their advertising budgets, offering enticing promotions, and utilizing cross-selling techniques to engage users across multiple platforms. These tactics raised concerns among regulators. According to the ANJ, football, tennis, basketball, and rugby alone accounted for 87.5% of online betting stakes. Specifically, football betting reached €5.63 billion, tennis €2.27 billion, basketball €914 million, and rugby €186 million. Lesser-known sports such as cycling, handball, volleyball, and ice hockey also experienced significant growth, with a combined increase of 31%.

Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin highlighted the need for moderation, stating, “Against this backdrop, the regulator stresses two major challenges: the need to reorient the sector's business model towards less intensive gambling that is less focused on high-risk players; and the need to mobilise all stakeholders to change the representations associated with gambling, which have led to it becoming commonplace in French society.”

Market Leaders and Sector Stability

FDJ United maintained its dominant position in the French market, generating over €7 billion in GGR, marking a 6% increase. The lottery segment was a significant contributor to this growth, adding €5.8 billion, a 5% rise from the previous year. The PMU, which holds a monopoly on horse race betting, reported €1.7 billion in GGR—a 2% decrease—yet its customer base expanded by 6%, reaching 3.5 million and returning to pre-pandemic levels. Although its share of the overall gambling revenue dropped to 12%, overtaken by online sports betting for the first time, the PMU's net income remained steady at €837 million, continuing to support the French horse racing sector.

Land-based casinos generated €2.7 billion in GGR, a slight 1.2% increase, and welcomed approximately 31 million visitors throughout the year. Gaming clubs, however, saw their revenues fall to €123 million. It is worth noting that online casinos remain illegal under French law.

Regulatory Outlook and 2025 Forecast

Looking forward, the ANJ anticipates challenges as 2025 progresses without the boost of major international sporting events. Marketing expenditures remain high, with promotional budgets already up by 11% early in the year. However, a new 15% tax on gambling-related advertising is scheduled to take effect on July 1, which may alleviate some promotional pressure in the latter half of the year.

France is also set to trial a new digital market segment involving games with monetizable digital items, known as JONUM, starting in September. This pilot program, introduced under the SREN law of May 2024, will be closely monitored by the ANJ to ensure it remains distinct from regulated gambling activities.

The regulator continues to push for a shift in public perception around gambling and a more sustainable industry model. As Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin noted, evolving the narrative and promoting responsible play remain key priorities for the French gambling landscape in the coming years.