Legal online casinos could become a reality in France by 2025 under proposed legislation

As France faces economic challenges and growing fiscal demands, the government is seriously weighing a measure to legalize online casinos, a potential shift that could see these digital gaming platforms introduced by 2025. 

Initially presented as part of a budgetary proposal by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, but later withdrawn amid pressure from land-based casinos, this legislation aims to boost tax revenue and curb illegal gambling. Until now, France has only permitted online sports betting and poker.

The proposal, still in its early stages, is set to undergo a consultation period throughout 2025, allowing time for lawmakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to weigh in. The intent is to regulate online casinos similarly to other European nations like the UK, Germany, and Italy, where oversight frameworks have provided safer gambling environments and substantial revenue. 

France’s gaming authority, l'Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), reported that unregulated gambling sites generated between €748 million ($794.5 million) and €1.5 billion ($1.59 billion) in revenue within the first quarter of 2023, a figure that hints at significant untapped potential for the national economy.

The trend of legalizing online casino is part of a larger movement in Europe. Countries such as the Netherlands and Sweden have also implemented controls for online gambling that prioritize revenue generation while supporting consumer protections. 

“The rise in unlicensed platforms in France presents both a lost revenue opportunity and public risk,” a French lawmaker noted, adding that legalization could curb these platforms by creating a safer alternative for French players. 

However, not all stakeholders are on board. French land-based casinos and the group Casinos de France have opposed an open online market, calling instead for exclusive rights to manage digital casinos through a transitional period. 

They argue this approach would prevent market monopolies and allow them to adapt to the online space. Fabrice Paire, a board member of Partouche, cautioned against repeating the regulatory mistake of 2010, when online sports betting and poker operators who had been targeting France for many years entered the market with huge databases that enabled them to build unassailable market shares.

Despite resistance, proponents of the proposal believe it’s a timely solution to France’s economic needs. Public consultations set to begin in 2025 will include healthcare providers, gambling operators, and advocacy groups, allowing a comprehensive analysis of the potential benefits and social risks.

This process will inform a draft legislation for review by the National Assembly, which could open doors to legalized online casinos by late 2025.