France, often considered the most romantic country in the world, has adopted a gambling-friendly approach. According to industry insiders, this is the best move the country could have made because it will boost the French economy and protect the interests of residents who are enthusiastic about gambling. Currently, all forms of gambling are regulated in France, but the industry had to follow a long, thorny path to get here.
Over the past decade, the gambling industry in France has grown rapidly. At the moment, there are over 200 land-based casinos offering various games. In Q3 2019, total revenue from the gambling market was estimated to have risen by 27.7% to €346 million. Statistics show that the most popular games among French players are video slots, roulette, and online poker.
Gambling Regulations in France
France has a rich history when it comes to gambling. The mere fact that some of the most iconic games, namely roulette and blackjack, originate here is proof enough that the country embraces this pastime. Gambling in France can be traced back to the 1500s, when the Queen was introduced to playing cards. Another indication that France is a gambling-friendly country is that its government regulated slot machines as soon as the game genre exploded in popularity. Moreover, in 1997, the government passed a law that lowered the legal gambling age from 21 to 18.
However, the gambling industry in France underwent a significant change in 2010, when the government passed the Gambling Act. It is worth noting that this occurred under pressure from the EU, which urged the French authorities to relax the rules. Before the Gambling Act was enacted, the French online gambling industry operated under a state monopoly.
The new law ended the state monopoly and led to the creation of the Autorité de régulation des jeux en ligne (ARJEL), the country’s gambling watchdog responsible for issuing licenses and overseeing the online gambling industry in France. Once online gambling was regulated, many casino operators entered the French market. However, traditional casino games such as roulette, slots, and table games were not included in the Gambling Act, as legislators considered them too addictive.
Unfortunately, the Gambling Act imposed prohibitive taxes on poker and sports betting. In addition, the law allows the pool to be shared only among players residing in France. Consequently, many licensed casinos left the French market, and these restrictions led numerous players to place bets at unlicensed offshore casinos. However, there are no laws targeting French casino enthusiasts who choose to play at unlicensed virtual casinos.
Currently, ARJEL is responsible for online poker and online sports/horse betting. Land-based gambling activities fall under the authority of the Minister of the Interior. Bingo and lotteries, in both their online and offline forms, are entrusted to the Budget Minister and the Minister of the Interior.
The Future of the Online Gambling Industry in France
In 2019, it became clear that the French government was considering amendments to the gambling tax. According to the latest information, the tax will be imposed on gross gaming revenue instead of overall turnover. Online sports betting will be taxed at 33.8%, and online poker will be taxed at 36.7%. Horse racing will be taxed at 19.9%. Furthermore, the government proposed that social security payments be based on revenue, which will result in a tax of 6.8% on horse racing, 10.7% on sports betting, and 4.1% on online poker.
According to the Senate, these changes will allow operators and the state to receive their fair share based on players’ success.
Popular Banking Solutions for French Players
Gambling at online casinos should be a leisure activity, so operators have gone to great lengths to make banking quick, easy, and safe. Most legitimate gaming sites offer a variety of payment solutions.
Due to legal restrictions, certain payment methods might not be available in your country. Additionally, some options support deposits only, so you will need another method when you wish to withdraw funds.
Before choosing a payment method, consider transaction times, fees, and fraud-prevention measures. In the lines below, we discuss some of the most trustworthy solutions available to French players:
Cryptocurrency
Virtual wallets
Debit/credit cards
Online voucher systemSpecial Casino Promotions for French Players
There are thousands of web-based casinos, and all of them offer various promotions to attract new players and retain existing ones. Not all bonuses, however, are of the same value.
Some may appear more generous than others, but always review the terms tied to the promotion you plan to claim. Remember, casinos are not simply giving away money, and specific conditions must be met before you can withdraw your winnings.
Depending on the casino’s policy, there are three basic ways to activate a bonus: manually through your gaming account, by entering a promo code provided by the casino, or by requesting it via live chat. Below, we give a complete breakdown of the bonuses you will encounter most often.
Welcome Bonus
No Deposit Bonuses
Cashback Bonuses
Casino Loyalty Programs
Common Bonus TermsPopular Software Providers on the French Market
Understanding how casino software providers operate is essential to appreciating their role in the gambling industry. Virtual casinos offer games developed by third-party software suppliers, so the quality of a casino’s content depends heavily on these partners, including game features, graphics, and storylines.
To remain competitive, reputable online casinos typically partner with many software companies. Some of the most prominent suppliers in France include:
Playtech
Microgaming
Play’n GO
NetEnt
Evolution GamingTop 10 Online Casinos in France
Choosing an online casino is not as easy as it may appear at first glance. Players must consider several factors to determine whether a casino is reliable and trustworthy. In all our articles, we advise readers to always check a casino’s license and reputation first. Additionally, reputable online casinos offer various promotions for both new and loyal players.
You should also test the casino’s customer support to ensure you can rely on its representatives when issues arise. Payment options are equally important when you create an account.
Finally, verify whether the platform is available in your language, especially if you are not fluent in English. If you are looking for an online casino that accepts players from France, the ten sites below deserve your attention.
Unique Casino
Cresus Casino
MonteCryptos Casino
Enzo Casino
Rich Casino
Casino Moons
PlayPCF Casino
Lucky31 Casino
Casino Estrella
Casino Extra