Sports betting handle in France jumps 24% in first half of 2024

Sports betting in France experienced a notable increase in the first half of 2024, with a total of €5.2 billion ($5.64 billion) wagered on sports, a 24% rise compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data from l'Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ). Gross gaming revenue (GGR) also saw an uptick of 16%, reaching €871 million ($944.34 million).

The online betting market in France continues to expand, with online GGR up by 10% year-on-year, totaling over €1.3 billion ($1.41 billion). The number of online active player accounts (APAs) increased by 13% compared to the first half of 2023, reaching over two million in H1 2024. This surge was driven by a strong performance in June, which included the early stages of Euro 2024.

However, the total amount wagered on the Euro 2024 tournament fell short of the ANJ’s expectation of €1 billion, coming in at €650 million. This represents a decrease from the €900 million staked during the 2022 tournament.

The ANJ attributed the shortfall to the underwhelming performance of the French national team and the impact of the French general election, which drew significant national attention in June.

In response to the heightened betting activity, the ANJ launched a new problem gambling prevention campaign in June to raise awareness about the risks associated with excessive betting. The regulator also emphasized the need for "moderation" in gambling marketing around the tournament, which it noted was adhered to by operators.

Looking ahead, the ANJ forecasts that the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games will attract up to €240 million ($260.21 million) in wagers, representing a 100% increase from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

According to a recent Toluna-Harris Interactive survey, 59% of French people are expected to follow the event, with about a quarter of them planning to place bets. Notably, 74% of respondents cited Paris hosting the Games as a key reason for their betting interest, with players having the option to bet on over 80% of the Olympic events.

Meanwhile, the threat posed by the illegal betting market remains a concern. The ANJ has reported that France is the first host country to develop a national platform aimed at combating sports manipulation. The illegal market's growth was highlighted during Euro 2024, with l’Association Française des Jeux en Ligne (AFJEL) indicating that unlicensed betting sites now surpass the legal market in terms of volume.

AFJEL noted that four million players engaged in illegal betting in France in 2023, compared to 3.6 million through regulated sites. Furthermore, AFJEL reported that approximately half of the ANJ’s forecasted €1 billion ($1.0 billion) for Euro 2024 was wagered through illegal channels, and stakes were 25% lower compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.