France’s Gambling Market Grows Just 0.5% as Online Revenue Rises 11%

From exclusive events and interviews to real-time market trends, Ace Alliance brings you unbiased, well-informed, and data-driven content. Our editorial team adheres to strict editorial standards, ensuring that the information you receive is not only relevant but also trustworthy.

Built by market experts hosting events since 2023, with our first event in Riga, Latvia gathering over 300 top level iGaming industry executives, Ace Alliance is able to provide you with reliable information from direct interaction with experts and leaders in the sector.

Altay Celikkaya

Content Manager

Updated: 19/10/26

Reading Time: 2 minutes

France’s regulated gambling market generated €5.66 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in the first half of 2026, up just 0.5% year on year.

The figures, published by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) on 15 October, reveal a widening performance gap between online gambling and established operators. While digital gambling revenue rose 11%, FDJ United and PMU saw declines in their exclusive-rights activities.

According to the ANJ’s official market report, the €5.66 billion figure excludes land-based casinos and gaming clubs, which the report reports separately.

France's gambling market trends illustrated with rising charts and the Eiffel Tower.

Markets & Regions

Key Takeaways From France’s H1 2026 Gambling Report

France’s regulated gambling revenue increased by just 0.5% to €5.66 billion.
Online gambling GGR rose 11% to €1.45 billion, accounting for 25.6% of the reported market.
Online sports betting revenue reached €995 million, supported by the FIFA World Cup.
FDJ United and PMU reported revenue declines of 2% and 5.8%, respectively, in their exclusive-rights activities.
Active online player accounts increased by 24% to 5.85 million.

Online Gambling Drives Growth as Traditional Operators Struggle

Online gambling was the only segment that contributed to overall market growth, generating €1.45 billion in GGR over the six months.

The ANJ said:

The online gambling market is the only contributor to growth.

Sports betting remained the largest online segment, with GGR increasing 11.6% to €995 million. Total stakes reached €6.6 billion, up 10.6% year-on-year. Much of this increase occurred in June, when the FIFA World Cup began. Betting stakes rose 47% in June 2025, compared with just 4% growth from January to May.

The figures further contextualise the record French betting activity during the 2026 World Cup previously reported by Ace Alliance. Online poker also performed strongly, generating €290 million in GGR, up 13.4%.

Meanwhile, active online player accounts reached 5.85 million, representing 4.06 million unique players rather than individual accounts belonging to separate customers.

FDJ United and PMU Report Revenue Declines

Despite online growth, France’s exclusive-rights operators experienced weaker first-half results. FDJ United generated €3.43 billion in GGR from its French exclusive-rights activities, down 2%. Lottery draw games fell 7.6%, driven by fewer major EuroMillions jackpots and reduced retail footfall.

PMU reported a 5.8% decrease in GGR to €782 million, marking its third consecutive first-half decline. The slowdown contrasts with the stronger performance highlighted in France’s 2025 gambling market review, although the reporting periods and market coverage differ.

What Does the Slowdown Mean for French Operators?

The results highlight the challenge of maintaining market-wide growth when weaker exclusive-rights operations offset online expansion. For digital operators, player retention will become increasingly important after the World Cup. The ANJ reported that player acquisition bonuses nearly quadrupled in June compared with the previous year.

This promotional activity also comes amid increased regulatory scrutiny, including France’s expanded oversight of gambling advertising. Looking ahead, the ANJ expects full-year online performance to depend partly on whether operators retain the players attracted during the tournament.

With FDJ United targeting stable domestic network revenue and PMU undergoing restructuring, the second half of 2026 will provide a clearer picture of whether online growth can sustain the wider French gambling market.