France’s gambling market recorded gross gaming revenue (GGR) of €5.66 billion in the first half of 2026, representing an increase of just 0.5% compared with the same period last year. The result marks a slowdown from the 4.1% growth recorded in H1 2025, as weaker performance from exclusive-rights operators offset gains in online gambling.

According to figures released by gambling regulator Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), the online sector generated €1.45 billion in GGR, up 11% year-on-year. Its share of the market reached 25.6%, an increase of 2.4 percentage points.

The figures exclude land-based casinos and gaming clubs, which the regulator covers separately in its annual report.

Online gambling also attracted a record 5.85 million active player accounts, 24% more than in the previous year, with sports betting accounting for much of the increase.

World Cup Lifts Sports Betting Revenue

Online sports betting GGR increased 11.6% to €995 million during the reporting period, while total stakes rose 10.6% to €6.6 billion.

Much of that growth occurred in June, when the FIFA World Cup began. Betting stakes increased 47% during the month, compared with a 4% rise between January and May.

The tournament also contributed to a sharp increase in player activity. Active accounts rose 69% year-on-year in June, coinciding with acquisition bonuses that were nearly four times higher than in June 2025.

Online operators increased player rewards by 28% to €199 million during H1, equivalent to 13.8% of sector GGR. Sports betting accounted for €129 million of the total, up 35%.

Poker also recorded strong results, with GGR climbing 13.4% to €290 million. Sit & Go tournaments generated approximately 70% of the segment’s revenue, while active player accounts increased 38.5% to 2.3 million.

However, average poker revenue per active account fell 18%.

Online horse racing betting delivered more moderate revenue growth of 2.8% to €164 million. Stakes reached €920 million, increasing approximately 16%, the strongest rise since 2021.

France does not permit regulated online casino gaming, leaving licensed digital gambling activity concentrated in sports betting, poker and horse racing.

FDJ United and PMU Weigh on Market Performance

FDJ United’s exclusive-rights operations recorded a 2% decline in GGR to €3.43 billion, with lottery activities accounting for most of the decrease.

Lottery revenue fell approximately €64 million to €2.98 billion, while draw games declined 7.6%.

The operator attributed the weaker performance to fewer and smaller EuroMillions jackpots and reduced retail footfall during second-quarter heatwaves. Excluding long EuroMillions jackpot cycles, lottery GGR increased 1%.

Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU) also experienced another difficult period, reporting a 5.8% reduction in GGR to €782 million.

Stakes decreased 3.8% to €3.1 billion, while the operator’s market share fell from 14.7% to 13.8%.

The results represent PMU’s third consecutive first-half decline, accelerating from the 2.6% reduction recorded in H1 2025.

The operator is developing a new horse racing betting product as part of efforts to improve customer engagement. It is also undergoing a governance transition and preparing its PMU 2030 Pact.

Its 2026 budget provides for a €725 million contribution to the horse racing industry, compared with €802 million in 2025.

Second-Half Outlook Depends on Player Retention

The ANJ expects the sustainability of online growth to become clearer during the second half of 2026, particularly as activity returns to normal following the FIFA World Cup.

The regulator stated:

“With 5.85 million CJAs [active player accounts], the online market enters the second half of the year with an unprecedented player base.”

“Its annual growth will depend on the activity of these players after the FIFA World Cup.”

The wider market’s performance will also depend heavily on FDJ United, which represents approximately 61% of GGR excluding casinos and gaming clubs.

The operator currently expects stable revenue from its French retail network activities for the full year.