France - ANJ and the betting market
Authorized and Prohibited Products
Allowed online:- sports betting;
- horse racing betting;
- poker.
Prohibited online: classic casino games (slots, roulette, etc.) - illegal; exceptions apply to lotteries/instant games under exclusive FDJ rights (offline/digital channels for a separate mode).
Fantasy-betting: Effective May 21, 2024, operators are subject to ANJ licensing mode by separate law (Law No. 2024-449).
Offline monopolies: FDJ (lotteries, offline sports betting) and PMU (horse racing) retain exclusive rights; an online betting/poker marketplace is open to licensed operators.
ANJ Licensing and Supervision
Online sports and horse racing require permits under Act 2010-476; for poker - separate articles of the same law; fantasy rates are licensed under law 2024-449.
The ANJ approves the rules of the responsible game, controls the advertising and prevention of flawed gambling, the prevention of fraud and the protection of nonagenarians.
Self-exclusion and player protection
France supports centralized interdiction of games (interdiction volontaire) - a player can apply online to ban gambling; The record is kept by ANJ, the procedure is simplified and available through state portals. Operators are required to check status prior to admission to products and communications.
Typical RG measures also include deposit/loss limits, risk warnings, mandatory inform messages and restrictions on marketing touches to vulnerable groups (including young people).
Advertising and Sponsorships
France historically tightens the advertising perimeter: "moderation," age barriers, banning misleading promises and increased protection 18-25. In 2025, ANJ publicly promotes a course towards "sustainable regulation" with stronger sponsorship frameworks and new protective measures for young people (including loss-limit tools).
Taxes and public exemptions (2025)
The French fiscal model remains one of the "hardest" in Europe. From 2025, the burden of public withdrawals at online rates (taxes and social contributions) increases to ~ 59.3% GGR, including an increase in the CSG contribution (from 10.6% to 15% GGR). This directly affects operator margins and return-to-player (RTP/marketing) policies.
Market size and dynamics
According to ANJ and industry reporting, the H1-2025 French sector showed GGR ≈ €5.7 billion (+ 3.5% YoY); driver - the rise of online sports betting. The annual review for 2024 recorded a record €14 billion GGR (+ 4.7% by 2023), with the ~ of 5.7 million active online accounts from 14 licensed operators.
Practical checklist for market entry
Legal & Licensing
1. Define the product: sports/horse racing/poker (online casino not available).
2. Prepare dossiers: beneficiaries, key-persons, financial stability; apply for an ANJ license at the appropriate rate (including fantasy, if applicable).
Technology and Compliance
3) Implement KYC/age-check, anti-fraud and RG processes; Enable self-exclusion status checking before access and any marketing touches.
4) Set up ANJ reporting/telemetry; provide the correct logs of rates, settlements, bonuses and communications.
Marketing
5) Plan "moderate" advertising with sponsorship restrictions, 18-25 protection, and prevention of over-exposure. Watch for possible additional restrictions.
Fiscal model
6) Recalculate unit economics under withdrawals ~ 59% GGR (rates), taking into account the impact on RTP, bonus policy and sewers.
Frequent operator errors
Focus on "pan-European" advertising practices without taking into account French special restrictions.
Insufficient coverage of self-exclusion verification points (including email/SMS/retargeting).
Incorrect product strategy (attempts to legally offer online casinos): still prohibited for France.
Misjudgment of "effective taxation" (underreporting of cumulative GGR withdrawals).
Trends 2025 +
Advertising and youth advocacy: An expected additional tightening of the sponsorship framework and RG "behavioral" tools for 18-25.
Discussion about online casinos: in 2024-2025. the government raised the topic of possible legalization of online casinos in the budget process, but the regulatory framework has not been changed - the product remains banned.
Fiscal priorities of the state: increasing withdrawals from rates as a source of financing for sports and social policies are regularly discussed at the cabinet level.
Conclusion
France's model is a rigid matrix of permitted products, a strong fiscal press and an active player protection policy run by ANJ. Operators willing to operate with high withdrawals, strict advertising frameworks and no online casinos gain access to a large and growing market where business resilience is built on compliance, product discipline and a tidy GGR economy.