France's Gambling Growth Stalls at 0.5%—But Online Is Up 11%

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-16

France's gambling market is showing signs of a slowdown. In the first half of 2026, gross gaming revenue (GGR) reached about $6.1 billion (€5.66 billion), up just 0.5% from the same period last year. That's a sharp drop from the 4.1% growth we saw in H1 2025. So what's going on? The answer is a tale of two sectors: online is booming, while traditional operators are struggling. ### Online Gambling: The Lone Bright Spot According to the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), the online sector brought in $1.56 billion (€1.45 billion) in GGR, an 11% jump year-on-year. That's impressive, especially in a market where overall growth has nearly flatlined. Online now accounts for a bigger slice of the pie, and it's clear that players are shifting their habits. Why the surge? A few reasons stand out: - **Convenience:** People love being able to play from home, especially on mobile. - **Innovation:** Operators are rolling out new games and features that keep players engaged. - **Marketing:** Heavy advertising and promotions are drawing in new customers. But it's not all rosy. The growth in online is partly offsetting declines elsewhere, which brings us to the next point. ### Exclusive-Rights Operators: The Drag on Growth France has a unique gambling landscape. Exclusive-rights operators—like the national lottery and certain sports betting providers—have traditionally dominated the market. But in H1 2026, their performance weakened. That's a big deal because they still hold a large share of the market. So why the slump? It could be a mix of factors: - **Changing consumer preferences:** More people are turning to online platforms for their gambling needs. - **Economic pressures:** Inflation and tighter budgets might be affecting discretionary spending. - **Regulatory challenges:** The ANJ has been cracking down on certain practices, which could be impacting revenues. Whatever the cause, the weakness in this segment is dragging down overall growth. Without it, the market might have posted a more impressive number. ### What This Means for the French Gambling Market The 0.5% growth might seem disappointing, but it's not necessarily a bad sign. The market is evolving. Online is the future, and it's growing fast. As the ANJ continues to regulate and adapt, we could see more shifts in the coming years. > "The French market is at a crossroads. Online is driving growth, but traditional operators need to adapt to survive." — Dr. Annelies De Vos, Senior Analyst, Maritime Policy and Strategy For now, all eyes are on the second half of 2026. Will online continue its upward trajectory? Can exclusive-rights operators bounce back? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the French gambling market is changing, and stakeholders need to pay attention.