Online Gambling in France
Background
Historically, the regulated gambling market in France has been tightly controlled by state monopolies, primarily Française des Jeux (FDJ) for lotteries and sports betting, and Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) for horse racing.
The rise of the internet and online gambling prompted regulatory changes, leading to the enactment of the French Gambling Act (Law No. 2010-476) in 2010 which was planned to come into effect in June, prior to the World Cup kick-off. The law enabled private operators to seek and obtain a license to provide online poker, sports betting or wagering services to French residents in competition with FDJ and PMU for the first time.
Online casino games including roulette and blackjack were not included in the list of services to be liberalised, and to this day remain outside the scope of regulations.
Current Regulations
The French online gambling market is regulated by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux ( ANJ), which oversees all forms of permitted gambling. Key aspects of the current regulations include:
- Licensing: Operators must obtain a license from the ANJ to offer online gambling services. Licenses are available for sports betting, horse race betting, and peer to peer poker only. Online casino games such as slots and roulette remain prohibited.
- Monitoring: ANJ actively monitors the online gambling market to identify websites operating without the necessary license and collaborates with ISPs and financial institutions to block access to these websites.
- Advertising Restrictions: Only licensed operators are permitted to advertise their online gambling service in France. Messaging must not target minors or vulnerable individuals.
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML): Operators must comply with AML regulations, including customer due diligence (KYC checks) and monitoring for suspicious activities. Reporting any suspicious transactions to the relevant authorities is mandatory.
Major Operators
A handful of key operators dominate the France’s regulated market for online poker and sports betting.
- Betclic: A major player in the French online gambling market, Betclic offers sports betting and horse race betting. It is known for its user-friendly platform and wide range of betting options.
- Winamax: Specializing in sports betting and poker, Winamax is one of the leading online gambling operators in France. It is renowned for its poker offerings, including tournaments and cash games.
- Unibet: A well-established international brand, Unibet offers sports betting and poker in the French market. It is popular for its extensive sports betting markets and competitive odds.
- PMU: Originally focused on horse race betting, PMU has adapted to the online environment and continues to be a leading operator in this segment. It offers a comprehensive range of horse racing betting options.
- PokerStars: A global leader in online poker, PokerStars provides a wide variety of poker games and tournaments to French players under ANJ license.
Best live casino for French players
French players wanting to play live dealer games will have to find alternatives to locally licensed operators, who do not carry these games. Live casinos currently welcoming French players include:
