The French gambling market remains a powerhouse of European gaming, generating a record €14.1 billion in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for 2025.
According to the national regulator, ANJ, the 3% year-on-year growth was driven primarily by a resilient online segment and a steady recovery in the land-based casino sector.
Digital Dominance and Lottery Resilience
Online gambling in the French market reached €2.617 billion, an 8.5% increase that now accounts for 18.5% of the total market. Online sports betting remained the largest digital vertical, with revenue jumping 10.4% to €1.766 billion. Interestingly, this growth occurred despite a less favorable sporting calendar than in 2024, suggesting that player engagement is becoming less dependent on “mega-events.”
FDJ (Française des Jeux) remains the dominant player, accounting for nearly half of the total French market, supported by a 3.4% rise in lottery revenue. Land-based casinos also saw a return to form, with GGR rising 3.4% to €2.816 billion across 31.6 million recorded visits.
The Decisive Decisive Year Ahead
Despite the positive numbers, the ANJ is signaling caution for 2026. The regulator highlighted the structural decline of PMU, where stakes fell 3.3% to €6.4 billion.
Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, President of the ANJ, warned of a “tense context” involving taxation changes and intensifying competition:
“2026 is shaping up to be a decisive year… whether it is about consolidating acquisitions, quickly halting an entrenched decline, or dealing with intensifying competition ahead of the Football World Cup, all indicators are flashing red for the regulator.”
The ANJ plans to propose adjustments to the regulatory framework in 2026 to “lower the temperature of gambling” and promote a less intensive, more sustainable wagering model.
