How to Gamble Online in France: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

France has a long history with gambling, but the modern online industry has taken on a life of its own. In recent years, the country’s total gambling revenue reached around €13.4 billion. This number keeps changing every year, continuing the upward climb. Online platforms in France, which only cover sports betting, poker, and horse racing, made up about €2.3 billion of that total. While these numbers are solid, France’s online gambling sector still grows at a slower pace than in countries like the UK or Germany.

Roughly 3.6 million people in France have active online gambling accounts. That means about one in every 15 adults has placed a bet or played a hand of poker online in the past year. When you break down spending, active online players tend to wager around €2,300–€2,400 each year, mostly on sports events, horse races, and poker tournaments. However, national surveys show that for the general population, the median annual spend is much lower, sitting around €72. This shows a big gap between regular gamblers and casual ones.

Gender also plays a role in gambling habits. Men are more likely to place bets, especially in the sports betting category. About half of all French men say they’ve gambled in the past year, compared to 44% of women. In sports betting alone, men make up the clear majority. That said, female participation is rising — particularly in football and tennis betting — and women now represent nearly 500,000 active online players.

Younger adults are especially active in France’s online gambling scene. The 18–24 age group makes up around 30% of all sports bets placed online. These younger players tend to use mobile apps and follow live events closely, placing real-time wagers during matches. Compared to older age groups, they also switch platforms more often and are quicker to respond to promotions or in-play offers.

Compared to its European neighbours, France takes a more cautious approach to online gambling. While countries like the UK allow online slots, roulette, and live dealer tables, France continues to restrict these games. The legal options for French players remain limited to poker, horse racing, and sports betting. This cautious stance is meant to reduce addiction risks and keep players protected, but it also means that many French users turn to international sites to access a broader range of games.

This shift hasn’t gone unnoticed. The French gambling regulator has estimated that offshore and unlicensed platforms are bringing in anywhere from €750 million to €1.5 billion in yearly revenue — money that could otherwise support the licensed market. To close that gap, lawmakers have started discussing the idea of regulating online casinos in the coming years.

Overall, while France’s gambling industry may look stricter from the outside, it’s growing steadily and gaining momentum. More people are playing, younger players are shaping trends, and the market is slowly adapting to meet demand, in its own, typically French way.

Before you start playing, it's important to understand what’s allowed in France and what’s not. Gambling is legal in France, but only under specific conditions. You can’t just play anywhere. All legal gambling websites must be approved and regulated by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), which oversees the French online gambling market.

The ANJ was created to make sure players are safe, are of legal age to wager money, have access to games that are fair, and that advertising is responsible. It also ensures that operators follow strict rules, like verifying your identity and letting you set limits on your deposits, time, or losses. If a site doesn’t have an ANJ license, it’s not legal in France — even if the site is based in Europe and licensed in another country like Malta or Cyprus.

So, what kinds of gambling are allowed online in France? You can legally take part in sports betting, horse racing, and online poker. These are the only forms of gambling currently approved under French law for real-money play on the internet. That means online slot machines, roulette, blackjack, and other casino games are not officially licensed in France. Some French players still access these games through foreign websites.

While there are no legal penalties for playing across international gambling lobbies, if you use an unlicensed platform, you lose all player protections. There’s no French regulator to complain to if the site refuses to pay your winnings or closes your account. You also won’t benefit from responsible gambling tools, and the games themselves might not be certified for fairness. As of late, the ANJ actively blocks access to illegal operators and may freeze transactions.

This is not to say that there are no reliable international gambling platforms to play at. Our database has 100s of amazing, vetted platforms with premium content, valid licenses, and outstanding services. We will also be among the first to remind our players to do additional thorough research, check the leading gambling forums for feedback, and play responsibly.

In terms of age, you must be 18 years old or over to gamble online in France. All licensed sites must check your ID before allowing you to deposit or withdraw money. This helps keep minors out and adds a layer of protection for players.

Now, to the fun part — taxes. When you play on ANJ-approved platforms, you don’t need to worry about taxes on your winnings. If you’re a casual player (not a professional), your earnings from poker or sports betting arenot subject to personal income tax. The licensed operators already pay their share through gambling taxes, so your money is yours to keep.

France takes player protection seriously. From strict advertising limits to the ability to self-exclude or block gambling entirely through a national registry, the system is designed to help you stay in control. If you ever feel like gambling is becoming more than just fun, you can register for a break through interdiction volontaire de jeux, which blocks access to all licensed sites.

While licensed French platforms focus on poker, sports betting, and horse racing, you may be curious about games that aren’t available locally, like online slots, blackjack, or live dealer tables. These are often offered on international gambling sites, many of which accept French players. But just because you can access them doesn’t mean it’s always safe. We touched on this briefly in the previous section and would like to elaborate more now.

Many of these sites operate with licenses from countries like Curaçao, Malta, or Cyprus. They often advertise welcome bonuses, thousands of slot games, and crypto-friendly payments. For players in France, this can be appealing, especially since casino-style games are not officially licensed in the country. But there are important things to keep in mind.

First, these sites are not approved by the ANJ, which means they are technically illegal for operators to target French users. While players themselves are not fined or punished for using them, you lose the protection that comes with regulated French platforms. If the site refuses to pay your winnings, freezes your account, or delays your withdrawal, you’ll have no French authority to turn to for help.

Second, many international casinos block French IP addresses. Others may let you register but exclude French players from bonuses or

Payment methods also vary. While licensed French sites rely on familiar options like Carte Bancaire, PayPal, or bank transfers, international platforms often push users toward cryptocurrencies, e-wallets, or less-known payment gateways. This may work well for some, but it can also make it harder to verify your identity or trace lost funds.

The bottom line is not that you should avoid international lobbies and give up on the desire to explore more forms of online casino entertainment. It’s important to proceed with caution. Always read the terms carefully, avoid shady operators, and be aware that you’re stepping outside the bounds of France’s legal system.

Before placing your first bet or spinning a slot, it’s important to know how money works in the French online gambling space. This includes how to deposit, how to withdraw, and how to manage your gambling budget responsibly.

Start by setting a clear budget for yourself. Decide how much you can afford to spend without needing that money for anything else, not for bills, food, or emergencies. Online gambling should be categorized as entertainment, similar to activities such as going to the cinema or dining out. Many licensed French operators even let you set deposit and loss limits directly from your player account, which is a great idea when you’re just starting.

Most French-friendly gambling sites accept a wide range of payment methods. The most popular choices include Carte Bancaire (Visa and Mastercard), PayPal, and bank transfers via SEPA. You’ll also find Paysafecard, Apple Pay, and e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller on many platforms. French players tend to stick to familiar banking methods because simplicity and security matter more than speed. That’s why traditional card payments are still very common here.

Deposits usually appear instantly, while withdrawals may take 1–3 business days, depending on the method. Some online operators will ask you to verify your identity before cashing out for the first time. This is required by French law and helps prevent fraud. Make sure your name on the gambling account matches your payment method to avoid delays.

Using cryptocurrency for gambling is not widespread in France. While many France-friendly international platforms accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other types of tokens, crypto is not officially supported on licensed French platforms. If you want to use crypto, you’ll need to turn to these foreign websites. Those might come with more risks, which we’ll cover later in the guide.

Finally, always pay attention to the minimum deposit and withdrawal amounts, which can vary between sites. Some platforms let you start with just €10, while others ask for more. Stick to what’s comfortable and don’t be tempted to “go big” just because of a gimmicky bonus.

When you first visit a gambling site, it’s easy to be drawn in by welcome offers. There are just so many of them! Think extra cash, casino spins, reloads, tournaments, or a cashback deal. But if you live in France, it’s important to know that this country has strict rules about how gambling sites can advertise and promote bonuses. They’re very different from what you might see in other countries.

Let’s start with the basics. French gambling law only allows licensed operators to offer bonuses to players. These sites are regulated by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), the national gambling authority. Licensed French sites are allowed to provide welcome bonuses, but there are rules in place to protect players from being taken advantage of or misled.

Unlike some international sites that throw huge bonuses at you as soon as you land on their homepage, French gambling platforms can only promote bonuses in moderation, and only once you’ve created an account. You won’t find autoplaying pop-ups or urgent countdown timers, as these are banned by ANJ guidelines. The focus in France is on keeping gambling responsible and transparent and making it meet the highest industry standards.

Still, that doesn’t mean there are no bonuses. French platforms often offer:

1. A deposit match for newbies (it might be limited to a certain maximum amount)
2. Bet credit for sportsbook users
3. Limited-time casino spins on some slot machines
4. Loyalty programs for regular users

All bonuses come with terms and conditions, including wagering requirements. That means if you receive €20 in bonus money, you may have to wager it several times — for example, 20x — before you can withdraw any winnings. Some sites keep this requirement lower than others, so always check before accepting.

Another key point: in France, promotionsmust not encourage reckless play. For example, it’s illegal to offer a bonus based on your losses (“lose €100, get €50 back”). French law also prohibits bonuses that create a sense of urgency or push players to gamble quickly.

If you look beyond French-licensed online operators, you might find international platforms offering various types of bonuses. These can be exciting, but sometimes they are simply unavailable to players with French IPs — even if you manage to sign up. This is not a universal rule, of course, and there are also France-friendly sites that have promotions in EUR or crypto ready for grabs by the French gamblers.

If that’s the case, the best strategy is to read the bonus terms carefully and focus on value, not just size. A smaller, fairer bonus with low wagering requirements is worth more than a giant offer that’s nearly impossible to unlock.

When it comes to online gambling in France, the selection of legal games is more limited than in some other countries, but there are still plenty of options to explore, especially if you enjoy poker, sports betting, or horse racing. These are the three types of gambling that are licensed for real money play under French law.

Let’s start with online poker. This is one of the most popular and well-established forms of online gambling in France. French players have access to regulated platforms where they can join poker tournaments, cash games, and sit-and-go tables. Games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha are widely available, and operators must ensure fairness through licensed software and real-time monitoring. The poker community in France is active, with major platforms hosting large-scale events and promotions. If you enjoy a mix of skill and luck, this is a great place to begin.

Sports betting is another huge area of interest for French players. Football (especially Ligue 1 and Champions League), rugby, tennis, and Formula 1 are among the most-bet-on sports. You can bet on match outcomes, goal scorers, scorelines, and dozens of other factors. Legal betting platforms like Betclic or Unibet are licensed by the ANJ and allow you to place bets in real time or before the event starts. These platforms are designed to offer controlled, responsible wagering.

For those who enjoy horse racing, France has one of the most historic and respected betting networks in the world. Licensed sites give you access to daily races, including those held at famous tracks like Longchamp and Vincennes. You can place simple bets (like picking the winner) or more complex bets like trifectas and exactas. The French horse racing industry is tightly regulated and has a large, dedicated fan base.

What about games like slots, roulette, blackjack, and live dealer tables? These are not currently allowed under French online gambling laws. That means if you want to play slot machines or live blackjack, you’ll need to look outside of France.

Interestingly, even though online slots aren’t legal under French law, many French players still say they enjoy them. This demand is one reason why some users explore international platforms. That said, public attitudes toward gambling in France are cautious. Most players are more focused on strategy-based games like poker or traditional betting, rather than chasing jackpots on flashy reels.

If you're looking for free entertainment or a chance to practice, some licensed poker and betting sites also offer demo games or freemium versions. You can test strategies or get comfortable with how the platforms work before you bet any real money.

Getting started with online gambling in France doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require a bit of care. The best way to begin is by choosing a site that’s licensed by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ). These platforms follow strict rules, protect your personal data, and offer tools that help you gamble responsibly. Whether you want to play poker, bet on sports, or place a few euros on horse racing, licensed French sites give you a secure space to do so.

Always start with a clear budget and stick to it. Treat gambling like entertainment, not a way to make money. Read the bonus terms before you accept any offer, and avoid platforms that promise fast riches or huge jackpots. Be thorough when researching any foreign website to play at, even if they offer games that aren’t available locally. There are plenty of great international lobbies, but a few rogue ones, too.

French gambling law may be stricter than in other countries, but it’s built with player protection in mind. From verified payouts to deposit limits and support for self-exclusion, everything is designed to help you stay in control. If you play smart and take advantage of what regulated platforms offer, gambling online can be safe, exciting, and enjoyable.