Key Moments:
- The illicit online gambling sector in France has overtaken the regulated market, with 5.4 million players and €2 billion in gross gaming revenue projected for 2025.
- Incidents of gambling addiction have increased, affecting more than 3 million individuals, while 62% of users on illegal sites display excessive behaviors.
- Estimated annual tax losses reach €1.2 billion as industry leaders and regulators debate reforms to address the surge in illegal activity.
Illegal Online Gambling Outpaces Regulated Market
According to recent figures from the Association française des jeux en ligne (AFJEL), France’s unlicensed online gambling market has surpassed the regulated sector for the first time. The association estimates that 5.4 million individuals are now active on unregulated platforms, generating an expected €2 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2025 – reflecting a 25% rise since 2023.
Detailed analysis based on PwC research for the French regulator reveals the black market has expanded its player base by 35% since 2023. In comparison, the legal market comprises approximately 3.5 million users. AFJEL has characterized the growth of unauthorized gambling as an “industrialized form of organized crime,” aggravated by pervasive online advertising.
Escalating Social Concerns and Player Risks
AFJEL’s findings indicate more than 3 million people in France are currently impacted by gambling addiction. Significantly, 62% of users participating on illegal platforms exhibit excessive or pathological gambling patterns, levels described by the group as “unprecedented.” Awareness regarding the illegality of these sites remains low, with 82% of gamblers unaware of their unlawful status.
Online casinos, sports betting, and e-sports betting remain the preferred forms of illegal gambling. Even with the ban in place, online casino offerings continue to dominate the activity in the unregulated sphere.
Legal Sector Sees Modest Gains
Amid the surge in illicit gambling, France’s regulated online gambling sector has posted moderate growth. The Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) reports a 3.5% increase in regulated GGR for the first half of 2025, achieving €5.7 billion. Despite this uptick, the legal sector has not managed to curtail the rapid advance of illegal operators.
| Market | Players | Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) | Growth Since 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illegal Online Gambling | 5.4 million | €2 billion (2025, projected) | 25% (GGR), 35% (players) |
| Regulated Online Gambling | 3.5 million | €5.7 billion (H1 2025) | 3.5% (GGR, H1 2025) |
Cybersecurity Threats and Economic Impact
AFJEL’s report underscores the increasing risks associated with the illegal gambling landscape. Roughly 70% of individuals using unlicensed platforms report being affected by data breaches, phishing schemes, or financial fraud. Moreover, 90% of these gamblers say they have received unsolicited advertising.
The economic fallout is notable. The country is estimated to lose €1.2 billion annually in taxes, with social costs driven by gambling addiction reaching up to €4 billion each year.
Industry Advocates for Comprehensive Reform
AFJEL president and Betclic CEO Nicolas Béraud has advocated for a re-examination of France’s restrictive regulatory approach. “It is important that the public authorities control in the same way the other games of chance as online sports betting,” he told France Info.
He further noted that online casino games are widely accessible, though outside government regulation. “France is one of the few countries that has not regulated online casino games,” Béraud said.
“It’s not about creating something new; it’s about controlling what already exists.”
Regulatory Watchdog Urges Caution
Pauline Hot, director of the ANJ, has recognized the potential need for reform, but emphasized that any change must include robust controls. “If one day they were to be authorized, it would have to be within a very strict regulatory framework,” she told SiGMA News, referencing the addiction risks connected to online casino products.
Hot also raised apprehensions regarding the increased normalization of gambling, especially due to its ties with sports. She indicated that the ANJ is actively considering stricter rules for advertising and sponsorship, along with possible identification systems to better protect young people.
France now faces intensifying pressure to respond as illegal gambling overtakes the regulated market, forcing policymakers to weigh stricter enforcement, revised regulations, or long-debated legalization options.
- Author
Daniel Williams
