By France’s gambling sector witnessed a notable upturn in 2023, showcasing a 3.5% increase in turnover compared to the previous year. The French National Gaming Authority (ANJ) reported a positive trend across all market segments, marking the first collective growth since 2019. However, while the growth trajectory is encouraging, it slightly lags behind the average European growth rate of 5.5%.
The ANJ highlighted the resilience of the French online gambling sector, which experienced a stabilizing effect in 2022 after weathering the adverse impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, President of the ANJ, emphasized the effectiveness of France’s stringent regulatory framework in fostering a healthy market environment.
“This good health of the market demonstrates that demanding regulation is not an obstacle to development,” Falque-Pierrotin stated. “This growth makes all the more relevant the objective of reducing the number of excessive gamblers that the ANJ has placed at the centre of its action for the years to come.”
Online Gambling Sector Surges Ahead
The ANJ’s report underscores the robust performance of the French online gambling industry, with the sector’s Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) reaching €2.3 billion in 2023, marking a substantial 7.2% year-on-year increase. Notably, the online sports betting segment experienced remarkable growth, despite the absence of major sporting events, contributing significantly to the sector’s overall performance.
Football emerged as the dominant sport for online sports betting in France, followed closely by tennis, basketball, and rugby. Meanwhile, France’s two exclusive operators, La Française des Jeux (FDJ) and Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU), reported positive growth trajectories in 2023. FDJ, in particular, demonstrated robust performance, with a notable increase in GGR and player engagement.
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Despite the positive growth trends, the ANJ cautioned operators to remain vigilant, particularly concerning potential harm associated with excessive gambling. The rise in online sports betting activity, coupled with an increase in average stakes per player, underscores the importance of responsible gambling measures to protect vulnerable individuals within the gambling ecosystem.
As France’s gambling market continues to evolve, regulatory oversight and responsible gaming initiatives remain integral to sustaining growth while safeguarding player well-being.
