Gambling Reaches Record Highs in France, Sparking Concerns

Fueled by major sporting events, the gambling sector in France experienced unprecedented growth in 2024. However, this surge has raised concerns among regulators about potential risks, including increased gambling among young people, aggressive advertising, and addiction.

The year 2024 will be remembered as a landmark period for the French gambling industry. Boosted by the Euro football championship and the Paris Olympic Games, the market achieved record-breaking performance. According to a report by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), the gross gaming revenue (GGR) reached €14 billion, a 4.7% increase compared to 2023. This growth was primarily driven by the surge in online sports betting, fueled by aggressive marketing strategies from operators.

Online Betting and Casinos See Widespread Growth

The figures released by the ANJ are revealing. The online gaming segment alone recorded a GGR of €2.6 billion, a 12% increase year-on-year. Within this category, sports betting exploded, growing by 19% to nearly €1.8 billion, accounting for 43% of the total market growth.

This phenomenon is accompanied by a younger and more female audience. In 2024, 5.7 million active player accounts were recorded, an 11% increase. The 18-24 age group now represents 30% of sports bettors, and 15% of players are women.

Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, president of the ANJ, noted, “The French market is growing at a rate 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.”

Football, tennis, basketball, and rugby account for 87.5% of online bets, according to the Authority. Horse race betting saw a modest increase of 1 to 1.5%, while poker declined slightly by 2%.

Major operators like FDJ United remain dominant, with a GGR exceeding €7 billion (+6%), mainly driven by the lottery (€5.8 billion). PMU, on the other hand, declined by 2% to €1.7 billion, although its number of players increased to 3.5 million, returning to pre-COVID levels. Land-based casinos recorded moderate growth (+1.2%, or €2.7 billion in GGR) and 31 million entries. Parisian gaming clubs remained stable at €123 million in GGR.

Aggressive Marketing Intensifies Gambling Practices

Behind this record performance, the drivers are clear. The ANJ points to the intensification of gambling practices, fueled by increased marketing efforts. Advertising spending has seen a notable jump, accompanied by a series of targeted promotional offers, often coupled with cross-selling strategies.

“The maintenance of a high level of financial incentives and the deployment of cross-selling strategies have contributed to the intensification of gambling practices,” warns the ANJ.

In this euphoric context, the president of the Authority calls for caution. Two priorities are highlighted in the report:

• “The necessary reorientation of the sector’s economic model towards less intensive gambling and less focused on at-risk players.”
• “The mobilization of all stakeholders to change the perceptions associated with gambling.”

2025: A Year of Transition Under Regulatory Scrutiny

The year 2025 is expected to be more nuanced. In the absence of major sporting events, the growth rate could slow down, although the first months indicate a still-strong dynamic. Moreover, a new tax on operators’ advertising spending is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, which could influence their strategies.

Another project in preparation is the introduction of an experiment around monetizable digital object games (JONUM). This device, expected in September, is raising increased vigilance from the regulator, which wants to avoid any legal ambiguity between gambling and alternative digital mechanics.

“The ANJ will be particularly vigilant in strictly respecting the boundaries with gambling,” it specifies.

While 2024 demonstrated the immense commercial potential of the sector, 2025 could mark a turning point, between strengthened regulation, increased tax pressure, and reflection on the societal role of gambling in France.

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