Digital entertainment has profoundly transformed the habits of the French. In addition to video streaming and video games, it also takes the form of online gambling. This ever-growing sector represents colossal sums of money, and poses unprecedented regulatory challenges.
The online entertainment market in France is enjoying remarkable vitality. Consumption of dematerialized content, whether video games, video-on-demand or betting platforms, has exploded in recent years.
In 2024, sales in the gambling market reached €14 billion, up 4.7% on the previous year. Largely driven by sports betting, the online gaming market grew strongly in France, with record sales of 2.6 billion euros (+12% year-on-year).
Faced with an abundance of offers, consumers are looking for quality experiences and security guarantees. They are turning to platforms recognized for their reliability, whether to find the best online casino in Francewhen the time comes, subscribe to a service or take part in e-sport competitions.
The central role of the French Gaming Authority
To meet the challenges of this dynamic sector, France has strengthened its regulatory arsenal and relies on theAutorité Nationale des Jeux(ANJ). The main mission of this independent administrative authority is to regulate online and point-of-sale gambling.
Its objectives are based on several pillars. Preventing excessive gambling and protecting minors, ensuring the integrity and reliability of gaming operations, combating fraudulent activities and money laundering, and overseeing the economic balance between the various gambling channels.
By issuing approvals to operators who comply with very strict specifications, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux ensures that only the most virtuous players can offer their services on French territory.
Guaranteeing an environment of trust
French regulations impose a number of obligations on online gaming operators in terms of user protection. These include the implementation ofmoderation tools (wagering limits, playing time, self-exclusion), verification of player identity and age, and secure financial transactions.
Gaming algorithms, notably random number generators, are also subject to controls and certification by independent third-party organizations.
This rigorous framework helps build an ecosystem of trust, where entertainment remains a controlled recreational practice, far removed from the potential excesses of an unregulated market.
Surprise downturn in online poker
According to the ANJ's latest gambling market report for the first half of 2025, the online gambling market is continuing on an overall growth trajectory, although poker is down year-on-year (-4%), while at the same time the number of players is increasing.
