ANJ: France gambling market grows in H1 2025

The French gambling industry has maintained a trajectory of growth in the first half of 2025, according to the latest report from the Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ), the country’s independent gambling regulator. The report highlights that online and retail gambling activities combined have contributed to an overall gross gaming revenue (GGR) of €5.7 billion ($6.7 billion), reflecting a 3.5% year-on-year increase.

The regulator’s findings underscore the central role of sports betting and state-backed lottery operator FDJ United as primary drivers of this growth, while other segments, such as poker, have experienced modest declines. The ANJ’s report provides insight not only into revenue figures but also into player behavior, operator strategies, and sectoral trends that could shape the remainder of 2025.

Overall industry performance and GGR analysis

Gross gaming revenue (GGR) remains the key metric used by the ANJ to evaluate the health and growth of France’s gambling sector. According to the H1 2025 report, online gambling alone accounted for €1.4 billion ($1.64 billion), representing a 6% increase compared with the first half of 2024. Overall, the combined GGR for all gambling activities—including sports betting, poker, horse racing, and lotteries—rose to €5.7 billion.

This overall growth, however, masks the divergent trends within the sector. Certain segments, particularly online poker, showed a contraction, while sports betting and lottery-driven revenue surged. This mixed performance illustrates the varying dynamics affecting different verticals of the gambling market in France.

Sports betting remains the primary growth engine

A closer look at the numbers reveals that sports betting accounted for 69% of total online GGR in H1 2025, confirming its position as the dominant segment of the online gambling market. Stake volumes in sports betting increased by 15% year-on-year, reaching a remarkable €6 billion.

The ANJ’s report specifies that football and tennis were the leading contributors to this surge. Football, in particular, benefited from a combination of domestic league popularity and international tournaments, while tennis saw strong engagement around major Grand Slam events. The report emphasizes that these traditional sports, complemented by effective promotional campaigns from licensed operators, continue to drive player activity and betting volume.

Poker sees modest decline

In contrast to the growth in sports betting, poker experienced a 4% decline in GGR, down to €246 million. While this represents a setback, the report notes that poker remains a significant part of the online gambling landscape, with loyal player bases sustaining a stable, albeit smaller, revenue contribution.

The decline in poker GGR may be influenced by several factors, including shifts in player preference toward faster-paced games, competitive pressures from international poker platforms, and changes in online engagement patterns during the first half of 2025. The ANJ has indicated that the regulator continues to monitor this segment closely to ensure compliance and responsible gambling practices among operators.

Horse racing maintains steady performance

Horse racing, another traditional gambling vertical, showed moderate growth in stakes of around 1%, with GGR remaining relatively stable. Although growth is slower compared to sports betting, horse racing continues to attract dedicated players and maintain its position as a steady contributor to overall revenue. The report suggests that horse racing operators may need to adopt innovative marketing and digital engagement strategies to stimulate stronger growth in future periods.

FDJ United’s significant impact

A notable highlight of the report is the performance of FDJ United, the state-backed lottery and gaming operator. The company’s GGR growth was substantially bolstered by its October 2024 acquisition of Kindred, bringing online betting and gaming activities under the FDJ United umbrella. This strategic acquisition contributed to online revenue reaching €700 million, representing a dramatic 458% increase in the operator’s digital segment.

The ANJ underscores the importance of such acquisitions in strengthening the market presence of established operators and driving overall industry growth. This also reflects broader trends in the French market, where consolidation and strategic partnerships are increasingly shaping the competitive landscape.

Lottery and draw games contribute to growth

The report also highlights the continued contribution of lottery products, particularly Euromillions, to overall revenue growth. Draw games like Euromillions benefited from extended cycles with high jackpots, which led to increased ticket sales both in retail outlets and online platforms. The lottery and retail sports betting segment grew by 4.4%, further illustrating the importance of high-profile draws and strategic promotional campaigns in sustaining player engagement.

Regulatory perspective and responsible gambling

The ANJ’s H1 2025 report reflects the regulator’s ongoing focus on compliance and responsible gambling. Last year’s full-year 2024 report emphasized the importance of reducing excessive gambling and reinforcing operator accountability. In H1 2025, the ANJ maintained these priorities, encouraging operators to monitor player activity, implement self-exclusion tools, and offer educational resources to mitigate problem gambling risks.

The regulator’s dual mandate—promoting growth while ensuring consumer protection—remains central to its approach. By maintaining a careful balance between market development and regulatory oversight, the ANJ seeks to safeguard both player interests and the integrity of the French gambling sector.

Outlook for the second half of 2025

Looking ahead, the ANJ expects the growth trends observed in H1 2025 to continue, provided that newly recruited players remain engaged and operators’ commercial strategies are effective. However, the report also notes potential challenges. “The negative effects of increased taxation this summer could be manifold and hard to quantify,” the ANJ cautions.

Despite these uncertainties, the regulator projects that sports betting and online gaming, including FDJ United’s enhanced portfolio, will remain the key growth drivers. Operators are likely to continue leveraging marketing initiatives, technological innovations, and high-profile sporting events to maintain momentum in the second half of the year.

Market dynamics and competitive landscape

The report provides insights into the broader dynamics shaping the French gambling market. Consolidation through acquisitions, such as FDJ United’s integration of Kindred, is becoming increasingly important in a competitive environment. Operators are also adopting digital transformation strategies to expand online offerings, streamline user experiences, and enhance customer retention.

Competition is further influenced by international operators seeking to enter the French market, subject to licensing requirements and regulatory compliance. The ANJ continues to enforce licensing rules rigorously, ensuring that all operators operate within a framework designed to protect players and maintain market integrity.

Implications for operators and stakeholders

The H1 2025 findings carry important implications for both operators and policymakers. For operators, the report highlights areas of opportunity, such as sports betting expansion, lottery engagement, and strategic acquisitions. Conversely, sectors such as poker may require targeted strategies to address declining player participation and revenue.

For regulators and policymakers, the data provides a basis for refining taxation policies, evaluating responsible gambling measures, and anticipating market challenges. By closely monitoring trends and adapting regulatory frameworks, the ANJ can support sustainable growth while minimizing risks associated with excessive gambling or unfair practices.

Conclusion

The French gambling market has demonstrated resilience and continued growth in the first half of 2025. Sports betting, enhanced online offerings from FDJ United, and high-profile lottery draws have collectively driven the sector forward. While some areas, such as poker, show signs of contraction, the overall trajectory remains positive.

As the industry progresses into the second half of the year, careful regulatory oversight, strategic operator initiatives, and continued innovation will be critical to sustaining momentum. The ANJ’s report underscores the importance of balancing growth with player protection and compliance, setting the tone for a stable and dynamic French gambling market in 2025.

FAQs

What was the total GGR for France in H1 2025?
The total gross gaming revenue (GGR) for France reached €5.7 billion in the first half of 2025.

Which sector contributed most to France’s online GGR?
Sports betting contributed the largest share, accounting for 69% of total online GGR in H1 2025.

How did poker perform in H1 2025?
Poker’s GGR declined by 4% year-on-year, amounting to €246 million.

What impact did FDJ United’s acquisition of Kindred have?
The acquisition increased FDJ United’s online revenue to €700 million, a 458% increase for that segment.

How did horse racing perform in the first half of 2025?
Horse racing stakes grew by 1%, with GGR remaining stable compared to previous periods.

What were the main drivers of lottery revenue growth?
Euromillions and other draw games with high jackpots drove growth, increasing retail and online participation.

What are the regulatory priorities of ANJ?
ANJ focuses on compliance enforcement, player protection, responsible gambling, and reducing excessive gambling.

Could increased taxation affect market growth?
Yes, the ANJ warned that new taxation measures could have multifaceted effects, potentially impacting operator revenue.

Which sports were top contributors to sports betting revenue?
Football and tennis were the leading sports contributing to increased betting activity.

Is market consolidation influencing the gambling sector?
Yes, strategic acquisitions, such as FDJ United’s integration of Kindred, are shaping competitive dynamics in France.