French Online Gambling and Casino Revenue Hits Record High in 2023

The French online gambling and casino industry experienced a significant surge in revenue in 2023, reaching a record high of €13.4 billion, according to a recent report from the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), the French gambling regulatory body. The 3.5% year-on-year increase was driven by growth across all verticals, marking a strong recovery for the sector following the stabilization in 2022 after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former monopoly operators Française des Jeux (FDJ) and PMU accounted for 62.7% of the total gross gambling revenue. FDJ, the leading gambling operator in France, reported revenue of €6.64 billion in 2023, a new high for the business. While FDJ's lottery revenue remained flat at €5.56 billion, its sports betting and poker revenue saw an increase, with land-based and online sports betting revenue up 10.4% at €1 billion.

The casino sector also experienced growth, with the combined gross gaming revenue (GGR) of casino operators reaching €2.7 billion, an 8% increase compared to the previous year. More than 80% of this revenue came from slot machines, with most land-based casinos seeing higher revenue than in 2019 before the pandemic.

Online gambling GGR rose 7.2% to €2.3 billion, with sports betting accounting for 63.3%, online poker 21.6%, and online horse racing betting 15%. The French online gambling market is on an upward trajectory, following moderate growth of 0.8% in 2022. Online sports betting, the most invested segment with 16 legal operators, saw a GGR of €1.5 billion, an increase of 6.4% compared to 2022. Football, tennis, basketball, and rugby accounted for 88.5% of online sports betting.

Why this matters: The record-breaking revenue in the French online gambling and casino industry highlights the sector's resilience and growth potential, even in the face of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the industry continues to expand, it is critical for regulators and operators to prioritize responsible gambling practices and protect consumers from potential harm.

Despite the overall growth, the ANJ has warned operators to be vigilant about harmful gambling practices, especially ahead of the upcoming Euro 2024 football tournament and the Paris Olympic Games in 2024. "The ANJ calls on all operators to be particularly attentive to the commercial practices they will implement during these major events, in order to prevent any acceleration in intense gambling practices," the regulator stated in the report.

Key Takeaways

• French online gambling and casino revenue reached a record €13.4B in 2023, up 3.5%.
• FDJ and PMU accounted for 62.7% of total gross gambling revenue in France.
• Casino sector GGR grew 8% to €2.7B, with slot machines driving over 80% of revenue.
• Online gambling GGR rose 7.2% to €2.3B, with sports betting as the largest segment.
• Regulator warns operators to be vigilant about harmful gambling practices during major events.