France Sets New Gambling Records in 2023

The country’s ongoing measures to foster a safe and sustainable gambling industry seem to be paying off, as operators recorded impressive growth

In a significant uptick for the French gambling industry, data released by the French National Gaming Authority (ANJ) reveals a record-breaking 2023, with gross gambling revenue (GGR) reaching €13.4 billion ($14.34 billion). This figure marks a 3.5% increase from the previous year, which had also smashed records. The growth in GGR spanned various sectors, with notable surges in both casinos and online gaming.

Growth Remains Consistent across Most Verticals

While France’s gambling market growth slightly trails behind the European average of 5.5%, operators with exclusive rights like Française des Jeux (FDJ) and PMU still dominate the industry, accounting for over half of the total business in 2023. FDJ alone boasts 27 million players and maintains impressive momentum, as its Q1 results revealed substantial growth.

Casinos also experienced a significant surge in performance, with a record GGR of €2.7 billion ($2.89 billion), marking an 8.1% increase from the previous year. Online gaming followed this trend, recording substantial growth as total GGR reached €2.3 billion ($2.46 billion), driven primarily by sports betting, poker, and horse betting. Sports betting, in particular, accounted for 63.3% of online GGR, reflecting a 6.4% uptick.

Despite these impressive financials, registered unique players dropped by 7.3%, while active accounts also fell by 3.9%. These figures could signal that the sector has reached an equilibrium, limiting future growth opportunities. Such a well-developed industry might also make it difficult for new companies to enter the sector, limiting competition.

Customer Safety Remains a Priority for the ANJ

President of the ANJ, Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, emphasized the need for vigilance amidst this growth, particularly in addressing concerns about excessive gambling. She highlighted the ANJ’s commitment to prioritizing the reduction of problematic gambling behaviors in the coming years. The regulator frequently reviews its harm prevention strategies, ensuring they remain consistent with industry trends.

With major sporting events like Euro 2024 soccer and the Paris Olympic Games on the horizon, operators must exercise heightened caution in preventing underage gambling and monitoring risky behaviors. The ANJ has demonstrated its willingness to take action against operators that do not match its strict standards, as it recently removed 179 entries from its list of sanctioned sportsbooks.

The healthy state of the market demonstrates that demanding regulation is not an obstacle to development.

Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, ANJ president

The robust performance across various segments of the gambling industry underscores the evolving gaming landscape in France. As the sector enters a new stage of its evolution, authorities remain committed to ensuring responsible gambling practices. The ANJ’s recent action against anti-consumer terms highlights its proactive stance, another sign of a healthy market.