Online Gambling in France – A Guide to French Legal Gaming in 2024
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Is Online Gambling Legal in France?
| 📑 Online Casinos | Illegal |
|---|---|
| 📑 Sports Betting | Legal |
| 📑 Online Poker | Legal |
| 📑 Online Bingo | Legal |
| 📑 Online Lottery | Legal |
| 📑 Online Horse Racing | Legal |
The legal forms of online gambling in France include poker licensees, small charities and promotional lotteries, and online sports betting. Other online games, such as video slots, RNG blackjack and roulette take part in the so-called general ban on gambling. That’s why you can’t find legal and regulated casinos online in France.
The online gambling situation changed in 2010 with the introduction of Law No 2010-476 (12 May 2010), which legalised online gambling in France. This law is also known as the French Gambling Act, and it sets the current legal framework and regulation of online gaming operators. Therefore, they include only monopole structures, also known as ‘cercles’ or gaming clubs that possess exclusive rights to offer online games.
The Autorité Nationale des Jeux is the official French regulator of these monopolies. It works alongside the ADLC (the French Competition Authority), the CSA (the Independent Authority to Protect Audio-visual Communication Freedom), and the CNIL (Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés).
Overview of Online Gambling in France
There are no legal casinos online in France; however, this does not mean that you can’t play gambling games online. You can either use VPN to play at offshore casino sites, which is not recommended or limit yourself only to the regulated types of online games. Yet, it is considered that French online gambling is at its initial stage, and the government organisations are not sharing a common policy. You will find out more details in the following topics.
Current Gambling Laws in France
Online gambling in France was legalised in 2010 with the introduction of Law No 2010-476, when the Regulatory Authority for Online Games (ARJEL) acquired a status of an independent administrative authority. One of its main roles is to issue licences to French gambling operators according to the three legal types of online games.
Therefore, there are three types of licences – for online pool betting (horse races), for online sports betting, and for online poker operators. Yet, the governance of online gambling sites in France is at its initial stage. Hopefully, there will be a wider variety of legal games in the future, and there will be more regulated casinos online in France.
Are Online Casinos with an Offshore Gambling Licence a Good Idea?
If you want to play at classic casinos online from France so much, then there is always an alternative option to use VPN and play at offshore gaming sites. However, there is a very good reason why we do not recommend playing at such offshore operators, also known as international casino sites. Simply put, they are illegal in France, and there is a whole range of potential issues that come with them.
Also, it is almost impossible to find such operators targeting French users, as they can be punished by up to €90,000 and imprisonment of up to three years if they are not licensed. Not to mention that if you somehow manage to register at an offshore casino operator, it may close your account at any time, and you would never be able to withdraw your winnings, which is a bummer. That’s why you should not play at illegal offshore casinos online from France.
Gambling Responsibly in France
The legal gambling age in most European countries is 18, and France makes no exception. It was 21 until 1987, but it has been changed to 18. The same applies to sites that offer online sports betting in France as well. In terms of social responsibility, players can also take advantage of a series of services offered by the ANJ.
For example, on the website of the agency, you can find more details on the setting of betting limits and how to report illegal offers. The ANJ also takes care in terms of the prevention of gambling addiction, as well as the counteraction of sports betting manipulations and the protection of minors, among other things.
The History of Gambling in France
Gambling in France originated at the end of the Middle Ages and the country contributed to the invention of some very popular games. Examples include the roulette wheel in the 17th century and the earliest form of parimutuel sports betting in the 1870s. Gambling in physical casinos in France is allowed to players over 18, and it has been the threshold since 1987.
In terms of online gambling in France, the first steps in that area were made in 2005, while the official opening of the online gaming market took place with the introduction of Law No 2010-476 in May 2010. Of course, there is still a general ban on gambling, but it has several exceptions. For instance, online poker in France is legal, as well as sports betting, and online lotteries.
Famous French Gamblers
Blaise Pascal is one of the most popular figures from France as he invented the roulette wheel. He was a mathematician and a physicist in the first place. However, he tried to invent the perpetual motion machine that led to the creation of the primitive roulette wheel.
Besides, there are many popular poker players of French descent, such as Jac Arama, who cashed out $45,422 from the 2007 World Series of Poker main tournament. Patrick Bruel is another great example of a professional poker player who also comments on the World Poker Tour in France.
You may have also heard of Fabrice Soulier, who is a very famous professional poker player from Avignon, south-eastern France, and whose live poker tournament winnings are considered over $5.5 million. Last but not least, Vanessa Rousso is one of the world’s most famous professional poker players and celebrities, and she even appeared in several gambling-themed movies.
Popular Casino Games
As we already discussed the illegal gambling games, now, it is time to talk about what you can play legally in France. For example, there are many top sites for online sports betting in France that offer tempting options to bet on horse races.
You can also play online poker in France legally by using one of the monopole platforms. Bingo, keno, EuroMillions and other online lotteries are also available, and you can play them legally. Find out more in the next list.
- Slot Machines (Legal) – This type of game is legal only in physical casinos. Otherwise, video slots are not an exception to the general gambling ban in France.
- Table Games & Poker (Legal) – You can only play legally online poker in France, as well as in land-based poker rooms that possess exclusive rights or are monopolies. Table games like blackjack and roulette online in France are banned.
- Lotteries (Legal) – All kinds of lotteries are allowed in France, including online and offline lotteries, as well as for charitable and promotional purposes.
- Sports Betting (Legal) – Online sports betting in France (fixed odds & pool betting) is regulated via a 5-year licence type 2. Offline sports betting is regulated by the FDJ.
- Horse Racing (Legal) – Online betting on horse races is allowed via a 5-year licence type 3, while online horse racing is allowed only on actual competitions and actual results.
Land Based Casinos in France
There are several licensed online gambling sites in France, but if you want to play classic casino games, then your only legal option is to visit a land-based gaming establishment. Luckily, France is dotted with physical casinos, and they are the main option for gambling for ages. Nowadays, you can find huge casinos in popular tourist destinations, as well as located in historical buildings, castles, and other gaming facilities. Find three of the top land-based French casino destinations next.
 Casino Barrière Deauville Casino Barriere Deauville opened in 1912 and is one of the top French gambling venues with 300 slot machines and 35 table games, as well as poker and electronic tables. |
 Royat Casino This is one of the oldest physical casinos in France, with a background from 1873. Nowadays, Casino de Royat offers 115 slot machines, as well as classic and electronic tables. |
 Casino Grande Motte Scenically located on the southern French coast, Casino de la Grande Motte will impress you with its selection of games, including 240 slots, 10 classical, and 131 electronic tables. |
Comparison of Land-Based and Online Gambling Sites
If you have already played gambling games online, you should know that they offer some unmatched benefits. For example, at the top online gambling sites in France, you can access a tonne of games and claim bonuses while you are playing. The land-based casinos also have their advantages that we synthesised in the next table.
| Online Gambling Sites | Land-Based Casinos |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Players can change games very quickly and easily. | ✔️ Offer the best gaming experience thanks to the atmosphere, the lights, the sounds, and the service. |
| ✔️ French online gambling sites are regulated by the ANJ and the FDJ. | ✔️ The French land-based casinos are located close to the amenities of famous big cities. |
| ✔️ Players from France can claim diverse promotions when betting online. | ✔️ You can find various types of offline betting, including lotteries, poker, and sports. |
| ✔️ Online gambling sites are operated by monopolised companies or with exclusive rights. | ❌ Land-based casinos have a greater house edge in comparison to online gaming sites. |
| ❌ There is ban on online slots, roulette and baccarat. Online blackjack in France is also banned. | ❌ The game selection is limited, and the table limits are usually lower. |
| ❌ New players can’t claim a welcome bonus for online slots or classic table games. | ❌ There is strong competition in the horse racing sector in France. |
Overall, you can’t legally play online slots, roulette, blackjack and other classic table games, but there is no need to worry – there are other options for legal online gambling in France. The land-based casinos also offer the unique advantage to play the specific types of games that are forbidden for online gaming.
The Future of Online Casinos in France
There are many aspects of the future of online gambling in France. For example, the official French regulator ANJ should continue to follow the best practices according to the French Gambling Act. It should also continue to fight against illegal online gambling and block access to illegal sites.
Another noticeable highlight would be responsible gaming efforts, which should continue to improve. There are no legal casinos online in France, but the other gambling sites that are licensed and regulated pay annual taxes. Probably, a larger part of these tax revenues will go to the prevention of gambling addiction in the future.
Overall, the market of online gambling in France is very strictly regulated, and there is a great chance for more types of games to be legalised. Let’s face it – there are biased advantages of land-based versus online casinos in France. You can play slots, roulette, blackjack, and other classic table games, but you can legally do so only in a physical casino.
Future French Gambling Trends
The online gambling sites in France are operated by monopoles, which is likely to stay unchanged as a trend. Yet, that’s what sets gambling in France apart from many other European countries. Also, the continued effort of the French regulator towards ensuring greater integrity of sports competitions is another nice trend. If the government and the gambling regulatory organisations improve their shared policies, then there might be other trending changes in the future as well.
Popular Questions
Before you play your favourite types of games, you should know more about online gambling in France. Currently, there is a general gambling ban with several exclusions from it. This allows you to play legally online poker in France, as well as lotteries, or bet on horse races. Find out more in the next Q&A section.