France Resists Online Casino Regulation Amid Illegal Market Growth
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Key Takeaways:
- French online gaming trade body AFJEL highlighted a 35% rise in players using illegal sites, bringing the total to 5.4 million over two years.
- Calls intensify for regulated online casino offerings to combat unregulated operators targeting French players.
- Tax pressures and regulatory enforcement dominated 2025, delaying potential iCasino reform once again.
France's online casino sector faced mounting pressure in 2025 as the illegal online casino market continued to expand despite aggressive enforcement efforts. The Association Française du Jeu En Ligne (AFJEL) released an updated study in November showing that 5.4 million French consumers now access unlicensed sites—a 35% increase in just two years. This surge underscores the limitations of the current monopoly model, which restricts online casino games while permitting poker and limited other verticals through state-controlled operators like La Française des Jeux (FDJ) and PMU.
The report renewed calls for the introduction of regulated online casinos, arguing that channeling to licensed platforms would enhance player protection, generate tax revenue, and curb black-market growth.
A key factor driving this migration is the absence of competitive incentives—such as online casino bonuses commonly available in regulated European markets—leaving French players exposed to offshore offers.
Unregulated operators, including many platforms that accept crypto payments, have exploited the gap, generating substantial undeclared revenue from French players. Enforcement actions by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) have intensified, with blocking campaigns and penalties, yet the illegal segment persists due to demand for slots and table games unavailable legally.
This stagnation in reform comes amid broader challenges for France's regulated operators. Tax increases impacted performance, contributing to restructuring needs at FDJ (post-Kindred acquisition) and PMU. The year also saw shocking incidents linked to unregulated streaming platforms affiliated with crypto gambling sites, highlighting risks in the grey market.
For the wider European online casino industry, France's experience serves as a cautionary example of how prohibitive policies can drive players offshore, reducing oversight and revenue. As neighbouring markets like Italy and Spain maintain licensed casino regimes with strong channelization, pressure mounts on French policymakers to reconsider ahead of potential 2026 debates. Without change, the illegal market's momentum risks further eroding the viability of the regulated ecosystem.
