French gambling regulator calls for tight control of potential online casino market

The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has contributed to a consultation with the government on the legalization of online casino, the French gambling regulator confirmed in its 2024 annual report, unveiled on Thursday. In its yearly assessment, the authority called for tight control of a potential new market.

The regulator said it has participated in a consultation with the current and previous French governments to discuss legalizing online gaming in the country, along with what potential rules for the market should look like.

The government had initially planned to legalize the vertical this year, but proposals stalled amid sustained opposition from the land-based industry. Although online sports betting, poker, and lotteries are legal in France, casino games remain confined to physical locations.

While the ANJ said it remains open to continuing talks with the government on the potential opening of online casino gaming, the authority called for a "highly controlled approach" to regulation, warning that any move "must be carefully considered."

"Given the significant public health risks and economic impacts, a highly controlled regulatory approach should therefore be adopted,” the ANJ said in the report, noting that the potential market would be comparable to that of 2010, the year when online betting was first regulated.

The regulator also said it has examined how other jurisdictions have introduced online casino regulations and assessed their impacts on the economy and public health.

While a push to legalize online casino from the previous French government, under the leadership of Michel Barnier, failed to gain traction amid sustained opposition from the land-based sector, stakeholders believe renewed iGaming legislation may be introduced later this year or in early 2026.

The discussions come as France's online gambling market keeps growing. Gross gaming revenue from online gambling rose to a record €2.6 billion ($3.1 billion) in 2024, up 12% year-on-year, driven by the Euro 2024 tournament and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

However, operators have shown concern about the impact of proposed gambling tax increases, set to become effective in July. The tax rate on lottery and Euromillions games will rise one point to 69% of GGR, while social security contributions will increase to 7.2%. 

Meanwhile, instant draw games will be levied at 56.5% of GGR, retail betting tax will rise to 42.1%, and online betting tax will increase from 54.9% of GGR to 59.3%. Online poker tax will increase from 0.2% of stakes to 10% of GGR.

The ANJ warned that 2025 could be a "risky year", amid increased promotional budgets, up by almost 11%, and the expected impact of the new tax laws. French gaming giant FDJ said back in February it expects the new tax requirements to lead to a €45 million ($52.3 million) impact on its 2025 EBITDA.