Online casinos are currently not legal in France, though the regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly. The French gambling market operates under strict government oversight through the National Gambling Authority (ANJ), which regulates licensed gambling and betting games including online sports betting, poker, and horse racing (1). However, traditional online casino games remain prohibited, with casino operations currently restricted to licensed land-based establishments in designated locations such as seaside and thermal resorts.
The legal framework governing gambling in France follows a general principle that all gambling is prohibited except in specific cases where operators have received exceptions or approval from the French Gambling Authority. The ANJ, established as an independent administrative authority, ensures that authorized operators comply with their obligations while protecting players and fighting against illegal gambling websites (1). This regulatory approach aims to maintain controlled gambling operations while preventing excessive or pathological gambling behaviors.
"The objective of State policy on gambling and games of chance is to limit and control the offer and consumption of gambling and to control its operation in order to prevent excessive or pathological gambling and protect players."
Recent legislative developments suggest significant changes may be coming to France's online casino laws. Bill No. 1248, currently under discussion in the French Parliament, aims to authorize casino operators to offer online casino games, reflecting changing consumer habits and efforts to reduce unlicensed offshore gambling websites (2). The proposed legislation represents a potential shift toward allowing regulated online casino operations, which could fundamentally alter France's digital gambling landscape and bring online casino games under official regulatory oversight for the first time.
Source:
https://anj.fr/english
https://iclg.com/practice-areas/gambling-laws-and-regulations/france
Last updated: 26-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
