Sports betting fuels France’s $6.7B gambling revenue in first half of 2025

Sports betting drove France’s gambling market to €5.7 billion ($6.7 billion) in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in the first half of 2025, as wagers surged 15% to €6 billion and online GGR rose 6% year-on-year, according to the national regulator.

The Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) reported that “the gambling market in the first half of 2025 confirms its dynamism, reaching an absolutely unprecedented level of activity.”

The online segment contributed €1.4 billion ($1.64 billion) in GGR during the six months to June. Sports betting accounted for 69% of total online GGR, reaching €961 million, up 10% from the prior year. The number of active player accounts also rose, increasing by more than 10% to 4.1 million.

“All indicators for online sports betting are in strong progression despite the absence of major sporting events as in 2024,” ANJ stated.

Football remained the most popular betting market, while tennis registered the fastest growth. “The volume of bets on tennis increased by +22% in H1 2025. These good performances are linked to the Roland Garros tournament (+46% and +51% in bets in May and June between 2024 and 2025), rich in twists and turns,” the regulator reported.

Poker’s GGR fell 4% year-on-year to €246 million. “Poker GGR amounted to €246 million in H1 2025, a decrease of -4% compared to the same period in 2024, even though the number of players is increasing due to cross-selling,” the ANJ said. Cash game revenues dropped 15% to €47 million, while tournament revenues remained stable at €199 million.

Horse racing delivered flat GGR of €174 million. Stakes grew by 1%, but ANJ noted uneven trends in player activity. “These figures seem to reflect an increase in competitive intensity in the segment, with players taking advantage of welcome promotional offers,” the report said. Active accounts grew 3% to 513,000, while unique players decreased 3% to 447,000.

FDJ United and PMU, France’s two exclusive rights operators, recorded contrasting results in the period.

FDJ United reported a 19% rise in total GGR compared to H1 2024, supported by its acquisition of Kindred in October 2024. “Due to the acquisition of Kindred by FDJU in October 2024, the group’s total GGR in H1 2025 is up 19% compared to H1 2024,” the regulator confirmed. On a like-for-like basis, FDJ United’s GGR increased 1.6% to €4.4 billion, while revenue slipped 1.7% to €1.9 billion.

Its “Sports and online games” segment rose from €126 million in H1 2024 to €700 million in H1 2025, a 458% increase, following the inclusion of Kindred’s European online activities. Lottery operations also performed well, helped by a series of EuroMillions jackpots. “Draw games benefited from long Euromillions cycles (more than 20 super jackpots above €75 million during the semester),” the ANJ reported, leading to an 8.8% rise in lottery revenues.

PMU recorded declines in the same period. “Betting stakes (3.2 billion in H1 2025, -4.2% compared to H1 2024) and GGR (€830 million in H1 2025, -2.6% in H1 2025) are accelerating their decline,” ANJ stated. The first quarter was particularly weak, with stakes down 5.5% and GGR falling 4%.

The ANJ said industry performance in the second half of 2025 will depend on player retention and operator commercial strategies. It also noted that higher taxes introduced in the summer may carry negative effects, though their impact remains uncertain.