Why Online Casinos Are Illegal in France: Legal Reasons and Future Outlook
In France, online casinos are illegal because Loi n° 2010‑476 only permits poker, sports betting, and horse racing. The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has imposed a complete ban on slots and table games due to addiction risk and consumer protection concerns, although Michel Barnier's proposal indicates that regulations may be relaxed in 2025.
Historical Background of Online Gambling Law in France
In France, Loi n° 2010‑476 prohibits online casinos because the government prioritizes gambling addiction (Addiction Risk) and state monopolies (FDJ/PMU). Enacted in 2010, Loi n° 2010‑476 legalized only poker and sports betting, while completely banning online casino games. Later, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), established via Ordonnance n° 2019‑1015, has maintained this strict policy, making France one of the few European Union countries where operating online casinos is legally considered a criminal offense.
The 2010 Law and Partial Liberalization
Passed in 2010, Loi n° 2010‑476 brought historical changes to the French gambling market, but this change was not a full liberalization. The law paved the way for partial liberalization of online gambling, under which licenses were granted to only three types of activities: sports betting, horse racing, and poker. However, the French government deliberately excluded online casino games and gaming machines from this partial liberalization.
The main reason behind this decision was to control the risk of player addiction (addiction risk), as casino games are considered games of chance, while poker is viewed as a game of skill. Thus, even though Loi n° 2010‑476 opened the market, it prioritized the interests of institutions like La Française des Jeux (FDJ) and Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) to maintain the state monopoly.
Establishment of ANJ and the Role of Predecessor ARJEL
To make gambling regulation stricter and more centralized, Ordonnance n° 2019‑1015 was issued, establishing the new regulatory body Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ). ANJ took over the responsibilities of the previous regulator ARJEL (Autorité de régulation des jeux en ligne), which had been regulating online betting and poker since 2010. The dissolution of ARJEL and the formation of ANJ consolidated regulatory authority, making the monitoring process more transparent and effective.
The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) is now France's sole national regulator, with its jurisdiction limited to online sports betting, horse racing, and poker. ANJ collaborates with sports federations to decide which games can be bet on, but online casinos remain outside its jurisdiction. Thus, while Ordonnance n° 2019‑1015 modernized the regulatory structure, it did not lift the ban on online casinos; rather, it made enforcement more effective through the ANJ.
Current Status of the Legal Framework
Currently, operating or playing online casinos in France is a criminal offense under the Code de la sécurité intérieure. France and Cyprus are the only two EU member states where online casinos remain illegal. However, physical casinos (Bricks-and-mortar Casinos) operate under a separate licensing system and are not part of the state monopoly framework.
The government argues that banning online casinos limits the impact on consumer health, but this has resulted in an annual illegal market worth €1.5 billion. Recent governments have proposed legalizing online casinos to collect higher taxes, but traditional casinos have strongly opposed this. Therefore, the status of online casinos in France's legal framework remains prohibited, while other European countries have already regulated them.
Main Reasons for the Ban on Online Casinos
The main reason online casinos are illegal in France is that the state considers gambling addiction (Addiction Risk) a serious health hazard. While French law permits poker and sports betting, it completely bans casino games. This policy is driven by consumer protection (Spielerschutz) and addiction prevention (Suchtprävention), which have been supported by some rulings of the European Court of Justice (Europäischer Gerichtshof) in the name of national security.
Gambling Addiction and Health Risks
According to the French government, the fast-paced games available in online casinos increase the risk of rapid addiction among players. For this reason, to control addiction risk, the state has excluded digital casino games from the licensing process. However, poker has been granted an exception as a skill-based game. From a Suchtprävention perspective, the government adopted this strict policy to prevent excessive spending and mental health impacts associated with online gambling.
EU Internal Market and European Legal Context
Despite the principle of freedom in the EU market, the Europäischer Gerichtshof has allowed member states to impose strict regulations in the gambling sector to protect public health and social order. France's ban on online casinos aims to protect national monopolies (such as FDJ and PMU) and curb the expansion of the illegal market. However, critics argue that this ban pushes players toward unregulated offshore sites, resulting in a loss of both state control and tax revenue. While EU-Binnenmarkt regulations guarantee the free movement of services, the public health exception provides France with a legal basis to maintain this ban.
The Case for Consumer Protection
The lack of Spielerschutz standards in an unregulated market exposes players to severe financial risks. Unlicensed online casinos do not guarantee player data security, fair play (RNG certification), or dispute resolution. The currently operating illegal market in France handles €1.5 billion annually, where players are forced to gamble without any legal protection. Therefore, the absence of a regulated market undermines long-term security for Suchtprävention and consumer rights.
Legal Alternatives and the Reality of the Illegal Market
Protecting the monopolies of institutions like La Française des Jeux (FDJ) is the main reason online casinos remain banned. This pushes players toward the illegal market, costing the state €1.5 billion in annual revenue.
Types of Legal Gambling in France
French law does not treat all forms of gambling equally. Sports Betting and Poker are considered legal because the ANJ values the role of player skill and knowledge in these games. Specifically, poker is permitted online as a skill-based game rather than a game of "luck," while casino games like slot machines are banned as they rely entirely on chance. The ANJ collaborates with sports federations to determine which games can be bet on, a list that includes only horse races approved by the Ministry of Agriculture. This discriminatory policy forces players into limited options, whereas countries like Germany license casinos with strict regulations through the GGL.
State Monopoly and the Private Sector
France's gambling market revolves around two major state-backed institutions. La Française des Jeux (FDJ) maintains a monopoly on lotteries and retail sports betting, while Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) holds special rights for horse race betting. These entities control a large share of the market, preventing private operators from running online casinos. This monopoly provides the state with stable revenue but reduces competition. Physical casinos have warned that opening online casinos would significantly reduce their income, which is why the government prioritizes this monopoly.
Risks of Illegal Offshore Sites
The lack of legal options has fueled the Illegal Market, which handles €1.5 billion annually. Players using offshore casinos face serious financial risks such as tax evasion and a lack of player protection. These sites are not regulated by the ANJ, making dispute resolution or legal remedies impossible. Strict security standards enforced by Germany's Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) are absent in France's illegal market, leaving players highly vulnerable to fraud and addiction.
Future Regulatory Changes and Tax System
Under Michel Barnier's leadership, the government has proposed legalizing online casinos in the 2025 budget to align with other EU countries. However, high taxation rates and opposition from physical casinos have complicated this change. The Ministère de l'Intérieur (Frankreich) and Conseil d'État (Frankreich) continue strict oversight to balance player safety and revenue protection, while Germany's Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 adopts a different model of regulation through licensing.
The 2025 Legalization Proposal
Why has Prime Minister Michel Barnier proposed opening online casinos? France and Cyprus are the only EU member states where online casinos remain illegal. Barnier's administration introduced amendments to the 2025 budget plan to eliminate this disparity. According to him, legalization would help bring the illegal market under control. However, the proposal has faced strong opposition from the physical casino industry. Representatives of the French casino association have warned that it could significantly reduce their revenue and put thousands of jobs at risk. Therefore, Michel Barnier's proposal is not just about liberalization, but a political compromise between state revenue and employment.
Tax Rates and Economic Impact
How do high taxation rates create challenges for the expansion of the legal market? Gambling tax rates in France are significantly higher than the European average. This high taxation policy deters international operators from entering the French market, attracting players to tax-evading online sites. If the government implements a new tax system, it could enhance the competitiveness of the legal market. However, under current conditions, high taxes mean the state cannot generate any revenue from the illegal market, while players gamble without any legal protection.
Comparative Perspective with Germany
What are the main differences between France's model and Germany's Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021? Germany has licensed online casinos and enforced strict regulations (such as a €1,000 monthly deposit limit) through the Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 [context Casino-Vertical Context]. In contrast, France has adopted a complete ban policy with the support of the Ministère de l'Intérieur (Frankreich) and Conseil d'État (Frankreich). While Germany's Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) prioritizes player safety (via the OASIS system), France's ANJ (Autorité Nationale des Jeux) places greater importance on the interests of state monopoly companies (FDJ/PMU). This difference shows that France's approach is moving toward a "controlled monopoly," while Germany is advancing toward a "regulated open market."
About This Article - Editorial Standards
Author: Sarah Weber - Casino Tester & Bonus Analyst Factually reviewed by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming Compliance Analyst Last updated: 2026-07-02.
This article on "Why Online Casinos Are Illegal in France" was written by Sarah Weber and factually reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content for changes in regulation, licensing and bonus terms. All references to licences, regulators and statutes link to public sources (GGL (Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder), Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (GlüStV 2021)).
About the Author
8+ years reviewing casinos, 200+ personally tested platforms across the EU and globally. Former member of the eCOGRA Player Advocacy Program (2018-2022). Specialty: wagering requirements, withdrawal workflows, customer-support evaluation.
About the Reviewer
12+ years in the iGaming industry, including 5 years as a compliance consultant for licensed operators across multiple regulated markets. PhD in Economic Mathematics. Focus areas: bonus mathematics, wagering analysis, and player-protection systems.
Responsible Gambling
Gambling can be addictive. If you feel you are losing control of your play, please reach out to BzgA Spielsuchthilfe, Check-dein-Spiel.de or use the national self-exclusion register (OASIS (zentrales Spielersperrsystem)). Set personal deposit and loss limits BEFORE you play with real money. Operator pauses and cooldown tools exist to keep play sustainable.
Legal Notice
The information in this article is provided for editorial and comparison purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Players are responsible for compliance with local regulations.