Gambling Laws in France Explained in 2026

by Kiko

Updated: Jun 05, 2026

8 min read

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The French legal framework is among the most robust systems globally due to its roots in Roman law and Napoleonic Codes. Obviously, this legal system also heavily influences the French gambling industry.

France’s betting laws are among the strictest yet most permissive globally. However, there are complexities about these laws that you should know before placing a bet.

In a competitive industry, this article provides an overview of France’s gambling laws in 2026, including their history, governing bodies, penalties, and restrictions.

Highlights of the Article

France permitted wagering on lottery, sports, horse races, and poker.
The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) regulates the gambling industry in France.
As of 2023, over 500 unauthorized gambling sites were taken down by the ANJ.
Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) manages France’s horse racing betting market.
Française des Jeux (FDJ) controls the lottery and betting games markets of France.
In 2010, the legalization of online gambling allowed private operators to enter the market.
French players must be at least 18 to access and gamble on games.
1.2 million French people suffer from problem gambling.

Is Gambling Legal In France In 2026?

France has a long history of legal gambling, tracing back to the 1500s. As one of the most gambling-friendly countries globally, it has been holding authorized horse races since 1890, sports betting since 1985, and the lottery since 1933.

As such, it’s safe to say that ALL FORMS OF GAMBLING ARE LEGAL IN FRANCE, meaning bettors can play in some of the world’s best casinos, online betting sites, pari-mutuel, cryptocasinos, sportsbooks, horse races, and other gambling hubs.

This aspect makes the French Republic among the best destinations for bettors to visit, thanks to its thriving gambling industry and numerous betting hubs and platforms that it offers.

ANJ, FDJ, PMU: The Three Main Gambling Bodies in France

France’s gambling industry was the fourth-largest market in the European region in 2024, producing a gross gaming revenue (GGR) of over €14 billion, which is fostered successfully due to the country’s healthy and stringent laws.

Three massive entities are responsible for governing France’s betting scene, all of which have been essential for making the country’s gambling market profitable and conducive for operators and bettors.

At the top of this is the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), which is France’s leading and most influential regulatory authority for the country’s gambling industry.

Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) – overall governance and overseer of France’s gambling scene.
Française des Jeux (FDJ) — owns and operates all of France’s lottery games.
Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU) — has a monopoly on France’s horse racing (and horse race betting) industry.

Gambling Limitations in France

However, despite France’s lax gambling laws, there are limitations to what gamblers can do in the country. Specifically, Article L.320-1 of the Homeland Security Code prohibits gambling on “games of chance,” except poker, as it requires training and skills, which makes Poker a “game of chance,” according to France’s gambling laws.

Studies have unfortunately found that this restriction has led to an increase in illegal gambling activities in the country. In 2025, it was reported that illegal gambling made up 10% of the entire French market.

Side Note

Games of Chance vs. Games of Skill
A Game of Chance is a betting game whose result mainly relies on objects that can randomize the event, such as dice (online and cryptodice included), numbered balls, playing cards, RNG (slots), spinning tops, and roulette wheels.
A Game of Skill is a game where the result is determined mainly by physical and mental prowess, such as in Chess and Backgammon, and to an extent, Poker, hence why Poker is allowed in France.

Overall, despite the existing illegal betting scene in France, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) still has an evidently tight and conducive hold on the country’s gambling market.

The following section discusses the ANJ’s history and role, and what made it one of France’s most formidable and respected primary betting regulators.

The Framework of Legal Gambling in France: Autorité Nationale des Jeux

Created by Article 34 of Law No. 2010-476, aka the French Gambling Act, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) aimed to improve and regulate the competition of France’s gambling and online gaming.

The ANJ is an autonomous administrative body responsible for regulating all gambling activities in France, including casinos, horse racing, lotteries, and operators with exclusive rights like FDJ and PMU.

Following the gambling reform implemented on May 22, 2019, the ANJ succeeded the Online Gambling Regulation Authority, as outlined in Ordinance No. 2019-1015 dated October 2, 2019.

Quick Tip

Boost your casino winnings by targeting games with a high Return-to-Player rate and a low house edge, such as poker, which has a 90% RTP and 10% house edge.

The French government outlined the Autorité Nationale des Jeux’s functions, structure, and authority under Decree No. 2020-199. Its missions are specified in Article L. 320-3 of the Internal Security Code, promoting the following provisions:

Prevent gambling addiction and protect minors.
Ensure safe and fair gambling operations.
Fight illegal gambling activities.

Legalized iGaming Scene in France: Law No. 2010-476 of May 12, 2010

The history of France’s online gambling industry started in 1994, but was only legalized more recently, officially launching on May 12, 2010. This was made possible with the passage of Law No. 2010-476 by the French National Assembly.

Under strict oversight and regulation by the ARJEL, the French Gambling Act transformed the industry by ending the FDJ and PMU’s monopoly on online iGaming services. The 2010-476 allowed licensed private online operators to provide the following services:

Online Sports Betting (Live, Pari-Mutuel, and Fixed Odds)
Online Horse Race Betting (Pari-Mutuel)
Online Poker Games (Omaha and Texas Hold’em)

Fun Fact

Texas Hold ’em is the most popular community card poker, with “72” considered the “WHIP” or “Worst Hand in Poker.” Discover more exciting poker hand nicknames, and let the odds be in your favor!

To secure a French online gambling license, online gambling operators must be members of a European Economic Area (EEA) country. The license fee ranges from $20,000 to $120,000. By 2025, the market features 16 licensed operators, including FDJ and PMU.

Coincidentally, France legalized online gambling just before the 2010 World Cup. In the first month of legal operation, there were 1.2 million accounts, and the stakes doubled to €83 million compared to 2009.

The Crypto Gambling Industry in France

France endorses blockchain, enabling crypto-assets. Lacking a detailed regulation, authorities avoid strict crypto measures. Cryptocurrencies aren’t official legal tender, but businesses can accept them if they comply with laws.

Regarding cryptogambling in France, the ANJ warned French bettors about gambling sites that support cryptos. The ANJ clearly stated that accepting crypto-payments violates AML laws enacted by legislation. French players interested in blockchain-based gambling often compare the best crypto casinos in France to evaluate payment methods, game selection, and security features before registering.

Helpful Article

Check out our guide on the basics of cryptogambling to have a better grasp of blockchain casinos, the legalities, pros and cons, and security issues before playing.

Additionally, the 2010 French Gambling Act made online poker, bingo, and horse and sports betting legal. As a result, if you want to gamble on crypto casinos in France, your available options are limited to poker, bingo, horse betting, and sports betting.

Pari Mutuel Urbain: The Governing Body For France’s Horse Race Betting

In 1930, horse racing companies licensed in France founded the Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU). These companies aimed to create a centralized horse betting service in France, which was authorized by Decree 97-456 on May 5, 1997.

The PMU designs and markets the available games. This French betting organization supports and maintains a healthy horse racing market (including its betting scene) for France by distributing its net profit to 66 French horse racing associations (EIG members).

More so, the PMU provides over 70,000 direct jobs, generating over 80% of the revenue for the French horse racing industry. Boasting over 8,000 off-track outlets, the PMU is Europe’s top horse-betting operator and ranks as the third largest globally.

Fun Fact

The Longchamp Racecourse, with a capacity of 50,000 seats, is one of the most renowned race tracks and has played a key role in France’s horse racing history. The site, known as the “Hippodrome de Longchamp,” hosts more than half of France’s Group One races.
Its most famous event is the “Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe,” which attracts top horses from around the world.

The Timeline of Horse Race Betting in France Through the PMU

The Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) has significantly contributed to the long and rich history of horse racing, having been established in the early 1930s. The infographics below explain PMU’s development:

1870: Introduction of Pari-Mutuel Betting in France
1890: Regulation of Pari-Mutuel Betting
1930: Establishment of Pari Mutuel Urbain
1985: PMU became an Economic Interest Group (EIG)
2025: France intends to reform the PMU via the “Pacte PMU 2030” and convert it into a commercial EIG to gain larger strategic independence.

Timeline of Horse Race Betting in France

Read on to discover another critical figure in the French gambling industry who oversees the lottery and sports betting markets.

The Influence of Française des Jeux in the Gambling Industry of France

The French government officially authorized Française des Jeux (FDJ) to run lottery games in 1976 and sports betting in 1985. It wasn’t until 2019 that FDJ became a private company under the PACTE Act.

Fun Fact

French bettors are among the most active and luckiest players in the history of the lottery, with over 1.011 million Euromillions winners coming from France.

Since the 16th century, the lottery has been a source of entertainment for French citizens. It also aided war veterans through the creation of the French National Lottery, as outlined in Article 136 of the Finance Law of 1933.

Here are the roles of FDJ, as defined in Article 21, Decree 78-1067:

Monitor the application of gaming laws and regulations
Draft game rules (terms and conditions, payments, winners, prizes)

The French Republic offers several forecast games, such as Match of the Day, Loto Foot, and 1N2, all of which are betting games based on odds. As competition among licensed operators continues to increase, many platforms also rely on promotional campaigns and casino bonuses to attract and retain players.

Quick Tip

Point spread odds betting is the most used by 58.8% of sports bettors. Total point bets came in second, with 51.7% of sports bettors using it.

Gambling Forms Available in France

Traditionally, France restricted betting to lotteries, horse racing, and sports betting. However, acknowledging the large global online poker community of 100 million players, the French government chose to legalize and regulate online poker.

Side Note

Despite having a robust online gambling law, France has yet to acknowledge the pros and cons of crypto gambling. The 2010-276 does not provide any reference to regulating crypto betting site operators, but players within the country can legally access crypto casinos and sportsbooks.

Lottery: 12.2%
Horse Racing: 18.6%
Sports betting: 61%
Poker: 69.8%

In the first half of 2023, the industry’s success was mainly driven by the lottery, which generated $€8.2 billion in sales, and sports betting, which generated €4.2 billion.

Did You Know?

Formal betting events began in the 18th century, featuring horse racing, which was famous for its adrenaline and competitive nature.

With France’s gambling tax amounting to 55.2%, two online poker operators have already withdrawn. The country imposes high gambling taxes to protect players against problem gambling.

The age requirement is another protective measure that France’s gambling regulation includes. Know the legal betting age to participate in different gambling forms in France.

Betting Age Restriction in France

Most European countries require gamblers to be 18, and France is no exception. In 1987, the government lowered the legal gambling age from 21 to 18 to allow more French gamblers.

With 71% of French people knowing the minimum legal age to gamble, the lottery is popular among all age groups, while certain games cater more to specific demographics. Over half (51.6%) of people aged 18 to 75 gambled in 2023, a 4.6% increase from the 47.0% in 2019.

Lottery: 38.5% (aged 45 to 54)
Horse Racing: 4.6% (aged 65 to 75)
Sports betting: 15.7% (aged 18 to 24)

With 1.2 million problem gamblers in France, the government has taken steps to address the issue. Licensed operators are required to show a warning sign on their websites to deter underage gambling, and players must verify their age and identity during the registration process online.

Additionally, casino operators and players from the best online gambling sites and retail casinos must comply with France’s betting age requirement, with significant fines for violators.

Side Note

Some casinos in the US do not require ID verification processes from registration to payouts. No-verification casinos have been available for 3 to 5 years.

Let’s explore the impacts of illegal gambling activities in France.

Gambling Penalties in France

In France, illegal gambling operators face penalties under Article 56 of Law No. 2010-476 and Article 324-1 of the Criminal Code for money laundering. Below are the criminal charges applicable to unauthorized operators.

Up to €90,000 fine + three years imprisonment
Up to €200,000 fine + seven years imprisonment (for illegal online gambling).

Meanwhile, licensed online gambling operators failing to comply with the French Gambling Act are subject to the following:

1st Degree: ANJ warning
2nd Degree: License duration reduction (up to a year)
3rd Degree: License suspension (up to three months)
4th Degree: License withdrawal + reapplication ban (up to three years)

ANJ established the Sanctions Committee in 2022 to oversee gambling disciplinary responsibilities, including issuing warnings, suspensions, penalties, and criminal charges against violators.

In 2023, the Sanction Committee fined seven online sports betting operators for surpassing the 85% player return limit. This cap is designed to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and problem gambling.

Side Note

ANJ did not disclose the sanctioned operators, as the Sanctions Committee did not deem it necessary to publicize their names, as warnings and penalties were granted.

Gambling authorities do not penalize French gamblers for engaging with unlicensed sites. Instead, they only caution players about the fraud and risk that comes with it.

Final Thoughts

France has a unique legal gambling scene. Although it appears more limited and conservative than other markets, the reluctance to some gambling trends is one way to protect players.

However, as the industry is highly competitive, the French gambling market has more work to do to keep up with the emerging trends.

Opening the online market is a start, and voilà—online casino games could be the next breakthrough in France.

FAQs

Are there casinos in France?

As of May 5, 2025, France has 347 licensed casinos, reflecting a 1.74% growth since 2023.

What is the latest law on gambling?

In June 2023, France became the first European country to regulate social media influencer marketing, passing Law No. 2023-451.

When was gambling legalized in France?

In May 1539, Francis I of France first authorized a “blanque” lottery to a contractor in exchange for a hefty fixed annual fee to go to the Treasury.

Meet the Author

Kiko Badillo

Once wrote serious life-saving stuff for the government, now unleashes his inner geek on the blog world. When not taking a deep dive into comics and video game lore or performing music, he dreams of chilling in a cold, cozy spot with a beer in his hand – probably somewhere the government won't find him. Sports and gaming enthusiast by day, cartoon and gastronomy detective by night.