French gambling market hits €14 Billion in 2024, Europe's fourth largest
The French gambling market confirmed its place as the fourth largest in Europe according to the 2024 annual report by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ). With gross gaming revenue reaching €14 billion, the market grew 4.7 percent compared to 2023. This increase was primarily supported by online sports betting and the lottery sector, as well as an “exceptional sports calendar” that included both the UEFA Euro and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“The online gambling market posted a record year,” the . Online sports betting was the main driver, accounting for €1.8 billion in GGR—up 19 percent year-on-year. Representing over 12% of the entire gambling market, online sports betting alone contributed 43 percent of the market’s overall growth in 2024.
The number of Active Player Accounts also surged, climbing to 5.7 million, an 11 percent increase over the previous year. Online sports betting saw the highest rise in active players (+13%), followed by poker (+11%) and horse racing bets (+4%).
“This reflects the vitality of the online gambling sector,” the regulator wrote, noting that “after two years of decline, growth in player numbers has resumed.” The number of unique players is now estimated at 3.9 million, an 8 percent increase. The demographic profile of players is evolving as well—30 percent of sports bettors are aged between 18 and 24, and the player base has become increasingly feminised.
According to the ANJ, this growth was not solely the result of the packed sports calendar. It was also “the fruit of aggressive commercial strategies by operators,” including “increased advertising budgets, sustained levels of financial incentives, and intensified cross-selling between verticals.”
Sports betting breakdown
Of the roughly 40 sports available for betting in France, four dominated the market in 2024: football (€5.63 billion in bets), tennis (€2.27 billion), basketball (€914 million), and rugby (€186 million). Together, these four sports made up 87.5 percent of all online sports betting stakes. Other sports, such as volleyball, ice hockey, badminton, handball, and cycling, also saw strong growth—up 31 percent compared to 2023.
FDJ United: still France’s powerhouse
With a GGR exceeding €7 billion for the first time and a 6 percent increase over 2023, FDJ United remains the dominant force in the French gambling landscape, holding nearly 50 percent of the market. Most of this growth came from the lottery vertical, which reached €5.8 billion, up 5 percent.
“FDJ United is the largest contributor to market growth and strengthens its position as the French market leader,” the report notes.
The company, which recently acquired Kindred and launched its offers across the continent, revealed impressive numbers for 2024, joining the elite top three of the biggest operators in Europe.
PMU: decline in market share, but player base rebounds
PMU, the other French monopoly holder, with a monopoly over horse betting, recorded a 2 percent drop in GGR compared to 2023 while still recording €6.6 billion in bets and €1.7 billion in GGR. However, the company will not weather the storm without taking action and has already launched several initiatives to appeal to a broader, younger, and more urban audience.
Despite the GGR drop, profit remained stable, and the player base increased by 6 percent, reaching 3.5 million—a level not seen since 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking ahead
“The market shows no sign of slowing,” the ANJ stated but added that 2025 could be a risky year, especially with sustained advertising pressure in a year without major sports events. “Promotional budgets are already up nearly 11 percent,” the regulator noted, adding that the cross-selling of newly acquired players may intensify problematic gambling behaviours.
Another major concern for 2025 is regulatory and fiscal change. As part of the 2025 Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS), a new 15 percent tax on sports betting operators’ advertising spending is set to take effect on 1 July 2025. According to the ANJ, it remains to be seen how this “will impact actual investment levels in the second half of the year.”
Moreover, 2025 will mark the beginning of a new era for digital gaming. The regulated experiment on monetizable digital objects (JONUM)—authorised by the SREN Law of 21 May 2024—is scheduled to begin in September 2025, pending final regulatory approvals.
“The ANJ will be particularly vigilant about ensuring clear boundaries between JONUM and traditional gambling,” the . The ANJ’s message is clear: growth must not come at the cost of responsibility.
Figures to remember
- A gross gaming revenue of €14 billion
- 18.5% of the market online
- Nearly 1 in 2 French people participate in gambling and gaming
- 2 operators with exclusive rights: La Française des Jeux (FDJ) and PMU
- 202 casinos, 233 racetracks
- 5.7 million active player accounts in the online segment in competition
- France ranks 10th globally in terms of gambling revenue generation
