Is Gambling Legal in France? Laws, Online Betting & Casino Rules 2025

Key Information

Last Update 2025

Regulatory Authority Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ)

License Cost Varies

Regulation by Activity Type

Casinos Regulated

Online Casinos Regulated

Betting Regulated

Online Betting Regulated

Lotteries Regulated

Poker Regulated

Highlights

All gambling is prohibited in France unless specifically authorized by law or licensed by the state.
The French Gambling Authority (ANJ) regulates all online gambling, except lotteries and horse racing, which have separate oversight.
Online gambling is currently limited to sports betting, horse racing, and poker; online casino games remain prohibited but may be legalized after a 2025 consultation.
Land-based casinos are legal and operate under strict licensing, with Paris gaming clubs extended under experimental status until 2027.
Gambling taxes are based on gross gaming revenue and vary by vertical; significant tax increases and a new 28% advertising tax take effect from July 2025.
La Française des Jeux (FDJ) holds a monopoly on lotteries and is a dominant market player following recent acquisitions.
France’s regulatory approach prioritizes player protection, public health, and combating illegal gambling, with ongoing debate over online casino liberalization.

Legislation

Primary Legislation

The legal framework governing gambling in France is structured around several core legislative acts and codes. The principal legislation includes:

French Internal Security Code (Code de la sécurité intérieure): This code contains the primary provisions regulating gambling activities in France, including definitions, permitted forms of gambling, and general prohibitions. It establishes the principle that all gambling is prohibited unless specifically authorized by law.
Law No. 2010-476 of 12 May 2010 (French Gambling Act): This law liberalized certain online gambling sectors, permitting online sports betting, horse race betting, and poker under a licensing regime, while maintaining strict state control or monopoly over lotteries and land-based casinos. It does not authorize online casino games, which remain prohibited under current law.
Finance Acts (Loi de finances): Annual finance laws, such as the 2025 Finance Act, periodically update and extend specific gambling provisions, including the regulation of Paris gaming clubs and the authorization of new forms of pari-mutuel betting. These acts may also introduce or amend fiscal and operational rules relevant to the gambling sector.
Social Security Financing Acts: These acts often introduce or adjust social security contributions and other levies applicable to gambling operators, reflecting the government’s broader policy objectives regarding public health and fiscal balance.

Currently, online gambling is limited to sports betting, horse racing, and poker. Online casino games (such as slots, roulette, and blackjack) remain prohibited, though a legislative proposal to legalize online casinos is under consultation and may be enacted in the near future. Lotteries, including instant games and Euromillions, are operated under a state monopoly.

Regulatory Authority

Oversight and enforcement of gambling laws in France are primarily entrusted to the following regulatory bodies:

Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ): The National Gambling Authority is the central regulatory agency responsible for supervising all forms of gambling (excluding casinos and gaming clubs), including online gambling, sports betting, horse race betting, and lotteries. The ANJ ensures compliance with legal requirements, monitors market integrity, protects consumers, and combats illegal gambling activities.
Ministry of the Interior: This ministry retains oversight of land-based casinos and gaming clubs, including the granting of approvals and monitoring of compliance with security and anti-money laundering obligations.
Ministry of Economy and Finance: This ministry is involved in the development of gambling legislation, fiscal policy, and oversight of state-owned operators such as La Française des Jeux (FDJ).

These authorities coordinate to ensure the legal, secure, and responsible operation of gambling activities within the French territory, in accordance with the established legislative framework.

License Types

Overview of the Gambling Licensing System in France

France operates a regulated gambling market with a licensing system that distinguishes between different gambling activities. The national regulatory authority, Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), oversees the licensing and supervision of most gambling activities, except for land-based casinos, which are regulated at the local level. The system is characterized by a limited range of available licenses, strict eligibility criteria, and a structured application process.

Types of Gambling Licenses Available

Online Sports Betting License
- Allows operators to offer fixed-odds, live, and pool betting on approved sporting events.
Online Horse Race Betting License
- Permits pool betting on horse races approved by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Online Poker License
- Covers online poker games such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha.
Land-Based Casino License
- Issued by the Ministry of the Interior and local authorities; covers physical casino operations, not online casino games.
Lottery and Instant Games
- Operated under a state monopoly (FDJ) and not open to private licensing.
Paris Gaming Clubs License (Experimental)
- Permits certain card games in Parisian gaming clubs under an experimental regime, recently extended to 2027.

Note: As of April 2025, online casino games (such as slots, blackjack, and roulette) are not licensed in France. A government consultation on their potential legalization is ongoing, with possible regulatory changes expected in late 2025 or 2026.

Application Process and Duration

Applications are submitted to ANJ for online sports betting, horse race betting, and poker licenses.
Applicants must be established in a European Economic Area (EEA) state.
Comprehensive documentation is required, including corporate structure, technical systems, anti-money laundering (AML) procedures, responsible gambling measures, and financial guarantees.
The review process typically takes several months, involving technical audits and background checks.
Licenses are generally granted for a period of five years.
Renewal is possible, subject to continued compliance and a review by ANJ.

Eligibility and Key Requirements

Applicants must be incorporated within the EEA and demonstrate financial stability.
Key personnel and shareholders are subject to fit-and-proper tests and criminal background checks.
Operators must implement robust AML and responsible gambling policies.
Technical systems must be certified for fairness and security by approved testing laboratories.
Operators must ensure player protection, including age verification and self-exclusion mechanisms.
Ongoing reporting to ANJ is mandatory, including financial, technical, and player activity data.

Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements

The application fee for an online gambling license ranges from approximately €20,000 to €120,000, depending on the type and scope of the license.
Operators must provide financial guarantees to cover player funds and potential liabilities; the required amount is assessed based on the operator’s business plan and projected turnover.
Annual license maintenance fees apply and are determined by ANJ according to the operator’s activity.
Additional costs may include technical certification, compliance audits, and ongoing regulatory reporting expenses.

Maintaining a License

Licensees must maintain ongoing compliance with all regulatory requirements, including responsible gambling, AML, and technical standards.
Regular audits and inspections by ANJ are standard practice.
Failure to comply can result in warnings, temporary suspension, reduction of license duration, or license revocation.
Operators must promptly report any significant changes in ownership, management, or technical infrastructure to ANJ.

Summary Table: Key Features of French Gambling Licenses

License Type	Permitted Activities	Application Fee	Duration	Renewal	Eligibility
Online Sports Betting	Fixed-odds, pool, live betting	€20,000–€120,000	5 years	Yes	EEA-based entities
Online Horse Race Betting	Pool betting on approved races	€20,000–€120,000	5 years	Yes	EEA-based entities
Online Poker	Texas Hold’em, Omaha	€20,000–€120,000	5 years	Yes	EEA-based entities
Land-Based Casino	Physical casino games	Varies (local)	Varies	Yes	Local approval
Paris Gaming Club	Card games (experimental)	Varies	To 2027 (experimental)	Possible extension	Local approval

This summary reflects the current licensing system in France as of April 2025. The regulatory landscape is subject to change, particularly regarding online casino games, which are under active consideration for legalization and regulation.

Gambling Tax

Taxation Basis for Gambling Operators in France

France applies a sector-specific taxation system for gambling operators, with tax rates and bases varying by gambling vertical. The primary basis for taxation is Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), defined as stakes minus winnings paid out. Some legacy taxes and contributions are also calculated on turnover or advertising expenditure.

Tax Rates by Gambling Activity

Gambling Activity	Tax Rate (as of July 2025)	Social Security Contribution	Additional Levies	Tax Base
Lottery & Euromillions	69% of GGR	7.2% of GGR	—	GGR
Instant Draw Games	56.5% of GGR	7.2% of GGR	—	GGR
Retail Sports Betting	42.1% of GGR	7.6% of GGR	—	GGR
Online Sports Betting	59.3% of GGR	15% of GGR	—	GGR
Online Poker	10% of GGR	—	—	GGR
Online Horse Race Betting	—	Unchanged	Levy to racecourses: 52.9% of GGR	GGR
Advertising & Promotion (all operators except horse racing)	15% of advertising expenditure	—	—	Advertising spend

Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements

Gambling operators must calculate taxes based on GGR for each vertical, applying the relevant rates.
Social security contributions are calculated separately and must be remitted alongside the main gambling taxes.
Taxes are generally reported and paid monthly or quarterly, depending on the operator’s structure and activity.
Operators are required to submit detailed tax returns to the French tax authorities, specifying GGR, turnover, and advertising expenditure as applicable.
The new 15% advertising tax (effective July 2025) is calculated on annual advertising and promotional expenditure, excluding player bonuses.

Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions

No significant tax incentives or exemptions are currently provided for gambling operators.
The 15% advertising tax does not apply to horse race betting operators.
Financial bonuses granted to players are excluded from the advertising tax base.
The levy for online horse race betting paid to racecourse companies is set annually by decree and is not subject to the new advertising tax.

Key Points

France’s gambling tax regime is among the highest in Europe, especially for lotteries and online betting.
Tax rates and social security contributions are subject to periodic revision, as seen in the 2025 Finance and Social Security Acts.
Operators must maintain rigorous accounting and reporting practices to comply with complex multi-layered tax obligations.

Prohibited Individuals

Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements

The minimum legal age for all forms of gambling in France is 18 years old. This applies to both land-based and online gambling activities.
Operators are required to verify the age and identity of all players before allowing participation. This is typically done through official identification documents and may include additional checks for online accounts to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering and responsible gambling obligations.
Operators must prevent access to gambling by minors, including through robust age verification at entry points for physical venues and during the account creation process online.

Prohibited Types of Gambling Activities and Game Restrictions

Online casino games such as blackjack, roulette, and slot machines are strictly prohibited. France is one of the few EU countries to completely outlaw online casino gaming.
Only online sports betting, horse race betting (pari-mutuel), and online poker are permitted under license. All other online gambling activities, including betting exchanges and spread betting, are not allowed.
Physical casino games are limited to licensed land-based casinos, with certain games (e.g., roulette) not permitted in Parisian gaming clubs, which currently operate under an experimental regime.
Operators may only offer betting on sports events and horse races that are specifically approved by the national regulator. Betting on certain events or during specific phases of a match may be restricted to prevent manipulation and protect integrity.

Advertising and Marketing Limitations

Gambling advertising is strictly regulated to prevent excessive exposure, particularly to vulnerable groups such as minors and problem gamblers.
There are restrictions on the content, placement, and timing of gambling advertisements. For example, advertising must not target or appeal to minors, and must include clear messages about the risks of gambling and available support for problem gamblers.
Operators are required to include responsible gambling messages in all marketing communications.
From July 2025, a 15% tax will be applied to gambling advertising expenditures (excluding horse race betting operators). This measure aims to further limit aggressive marketing and promote public health objectives.
Bonuses and promotional offers are also regulated, with limits on their use to attract new players or encourage excessive gambling.

Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures

Operators must provide tools for players to set deposit, wager, and time limits on their gambling activity.
Self-exclusion options must be available, allowing players to voluntarily ban themselves from gambling with all licensed operators, both online and offline.
Information about the risks of gambling, signs of problem gambling, and resources for help (such as helplines and support organizations) must be prominently displayed on operator websites and in physical venues.
Operators are required to monitor player behavior for signs of excessive or problematic gambling and intervene when necessary, including by providing information or restricting access to gambling services.
Player funds must be protected, and operators are obligated to ensure secure handling of customer deposits and winnings.

Geographic and Location Restrictions for Gambling Venues

Land-based casinos are only permitted in designated locations, often outside major city centers, with strict zoning and licensing requirements.
In Paris, traditional casinos are not allowed; instead, gaming clubs operate under a special experimental regime, which is currently extended until 2027. These clubs are subject to specific restrictions on the types of games they can offer.
Online gambling operators must be licensed in France and are required to host their gambling servers within French territory to ensure regulatory oversight and player protection.
Access to unauthorized or unlicensed gambling websites is actively blocked by the authorities, and operators found offering illegal gambling services to French residents face significant penalties.

Timeline

Year/Date	Event
1806	First national regulation of gambling with the creation of the state lottery (Loterie Nationale) and strict controls on gambling houses under Napoleonic law.
1907	Legalization of casinos in spa towns and seaside resorts, formalizing the framework for land-based casino gambling.
1933	Establishment of the Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) as the state-controlled operator for horse race betting.
1976	Creation of La Française des Jeux (FDJ), granting it a monopoly over lottery and certain betting games.
2010	Enactment of Law No. 2010-476, opening the online gambling market to competition and regulating online sports betting, horse race betting, and poker. The French Gambling Authority (ARJEL) is established to oversee online gambling.
2019	Reform of gambling regulation with the creation of the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), replacing ARJEL as the unified national regulator for all gambling activities.
2018	Launch of a five-year experimental regime for Paris gaming clubs, allowing them to operate under specific conditions.
2024	Proposal to legalize online casino games introduced as part of the 2025 draft budget, marking a significant potential shift in policy. Public consultation and legislative process initiated.
2025	Extension of the Paris gaming clubs experiment until 2027 and ongoing consultation on the legalization of online casinos, with regulation expected no earlier than 2026.

Requirements

Software Certification and Technical Standards

All gambling software used by licensed operators must undergo independent certification to ensure fairness, randomness, and compliance with technical standards set by the French gambling regulator (Autorité Nationale des Jeux, ANJ).
Technical standards require that random number generators (RNGs), game outcomes, and payout calculations are independently tested and certified by approved testing laboratories.
Operators must ensure that any updates or changes to gambling software are re-certified before deployment in the live environment.
Integration with the regulator’s central monitoring system is mandatory for real-time data reporting and oversight.
Technical infrastructure must guarantee high availability, data integrity, and resilience against fraud or manipulation.

Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location

Operators must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and French data protection laws, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and security of all player data.
Personal data must be stored and processed on servers located within the European Economic Area (EEA), unless explicit authorization is obtained from the French data protection authority (CNIL).
Operators are required to implement robust cybersecurity measures, including encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest, access controls, and regular vulnerability assessments.
Data retention and deletion policies must be clearly defined and strictly followed, with records kept only as long as necessary for regulatory compliance.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures

Operators must implement comprehensive AML procedures in line with the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Directives and French regulations.
Mandatory KYC checks are required before allowing players to deposit or withdraw funds, including verification of identity, age, and address through reliable and independent sources.
Enhanced due diligence is required for high-risk transactions, large deposits, or suspicious activities, with ongoing monitoring of player behavior.
Operators must report suspicious transactions to the French financial intelligence unit (TRACFIN) and cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities.
Staff must receive regular training on AML and KYC obligations, and internal controls must be in place to prevent, detect, and report potential money laundering or terrorist financing.

Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping

Operators must maintain accurate, up-to-date records of all gaming transactions, player accounts, and financial flows, with data securely stored and accessible for regulatory inspection.
Regular financial reports must be submitted to the ANJ, detailing gross gaming revenue, player balances, and other key metrics as specified by the regulator.
Annual independent audits of financial statements and gaming systems are required, conducted by approved external auditors.
Operators must retain transaction and player data for a minimum period as specified by French law, typically five years, to facilitate regulatory reviews and investigations.

Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools

Operators must integrate technical tools that enable players to set deposit, loss, and session time limits directly within their accounts.
Mandatory self-exclusion functionality must be available, allowing players to exclude themselves temporarily or permanently from gambling activities.
Systems must automatically detect and intervene in cases of risky or problematic gambling behavior, including sending alerts, providing information on support resources, and enforcing mandatory breaks or exclusions if necessary.
Operators are required to display responsible gambling messages, links to support organizations, and access to self-assessment tools prominently on their platforms.
Technical systems must ensure that self-exclusion and player limits are enforced across all products and channels operated by the licensee.

Sources

Primary Regulatory Authorities

Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) – National Gambling Authority (official regulator for all gambling activities in France)
Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty – Government ministry overseeing gambling policy and regulation

Legislation Resources

Légifrance – Official French government portal for all legislation, including gambling laws and decrees

Contact Information

Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) Address: 99-101 Rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France Phone: +33 (0)1 70 48 82 00 Email: contact@anj.fr