France is a large, disciplined EU market with a single national regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), established by the Ordonnance n° 2019‑1015 (2019), which modernised the framework originally opened by Loi n° 2010‑476 (2010). ANJ's authority extends to online sports betting, horse-race betting, and poker. Online casinos remain prohibited.
The historic French horse‑race betting operator, Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU), holds exclusive rights in the retail network for horse racing bets, while La Française des Jeux (FDJ) holds exclusive rights for lottery games, both retail and online, as well as retail sports betting. Land-based casinos, however, operate under a separate licensing regime and are not part of the monopoly system.
| Regulatory Authority | Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) |
| Key legislation |
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| Allowed activities | Licensed online sports betting, horse‑race betting and poker (licence required per category) |
| Prohibited activities | Among others:
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| Taxation and fees |
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| Licence validity/duration | ANJ agrément is granted for 5 years, renewable |
| Benefits of the market |
Large addressable demand, a mature compliance environment, and a single national regulator (ANJ) covering online and supervising RG for land‑based.
Straightforward product definition (sports, horse, poker only) with a 5‑year agrément cycle and detailed compliance guidelines. |
| SOFTSWISS products compliant | No products available at the moment |
| Key legislation | Code de la sécurité intérieure, Title II (Casinos) |
| Allowed activities | Among others:
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| Prohibited activities | Among others:
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| Taxation | Sector‑specific levies apply; 2025 reforms increased retail sports‑betting social contribution from 6.6% to 7.6% of GGR. |
