13.4 billion euro turnover: new gambling record in France

According to data published on Monday by the National Gambling Authority (ANJ), gambling turnover in France reached 13.4 billion euros in 2023, up 3.5% from 2022, when the sector had already recorded record.

Gross gaming product (GRP) of all types of games (the difference between players’ bets and winnings paid out by operators) is increasing, with the increase particularly noticeable in casinos and online games, especially poker.

Euro and upcoming Olympic Games

“This growth makes the task of reducing the number of excessive players, which ANJ has placed at the center of its activities in the coming years, even more urgent,” emphasizes Isabelle Falk-Pierotin, president of the regulator, quoted in the published report. .

“In the context of 2024, marked by the hosting of two major sporting events (Euro 2024 football and the Paris Olympic Games), ANJ reminded operators that due to the risk of intensification of gaming practices, they will have to exercise increased vigilance in relation to the prevention of gambling and gambling behavior of minors “, the manager warns.

France lags slightly behind the European market growth, which is 5.5% (or €134 billion GGR).

Casino record

In more detail, operators with exclusive rights (Française des jeux and PMUs) still represent more than half of the activity, or 62.7% of the total GGR for 2023, and 27 million French people are FDJ players.

Casinos, which saw 2023 become their second “normal” financial year following the health crisis, recorded record gross revenue of €2.7 billion, up 8.1%, with more than 80% coming from slot machines.

“Such indicators apply to most casinos: 73.8% of establishments found a GRP level higher than in 2019,” emphasizes ANJ.

The activity of seven Parisian gaming clubs increased by 10.9%, reaching 119 million euros in 2023.

3.6 million people gambled online

In terms of online gaming, total gross revenue reached €2.3 billion (+7.2%) driven by sports betting (63.3% online GGR, activity up 6.4%), poker (21.6% online GGR, activity increased by 14.1%) and horse racing. rates (15.1% online GGR, activity up 1.9%).

Among the 44 sports open to betting in France, four stand out in terms of the amount of bets placed: football (4.4 billion euros in bets), tennis (1.9 billion), basketball (899 million) and rugby (247 million, rising). bets in September and October during the World Cup).

A total of 3.6 million people gambled online in France in 2023, with an increase in betting on poker and horse racing.

However, the number of sports bettors is falling for the first time since 2019.