The French gambling industry has shown steady growth in the first half of 2025, according to new figures released by the country’s independent regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ). The report shows that sports betting and the state-backed operator, FDJ United, are the major reasons for this performance.

Overall, the industry’s Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) increased by 3.5 percent year on year, reaching €5.7 billion ($6.7 billion). Online gambling grew by 6 percent, standing at €1.4 billion. This is a continuation of the trend seen over recent years where digital and sports-based activities have led the way in shaping the market.

Sports Betting Remains the Strongest Sector

Sports betting once again led the gambling market in France, accounting for 69 percent of all online GGR in the first half of the year. Stakes in the sector rose by 15 percent, totaling €6 billion. Football and tennis were the main sports driving the increase, with big events pulling in a lot of bets.

Retail sports betting also grew, helped by strong Euromillions ticket sales. The lottery and retail sports betting segment went up by 4.4 percent, thanks to long Euromillions jackpot runs that attracted more players.

Mixed Results for Poker and Horse Racing

While sports betting performed, not all parts of the gambling industry moved in the same direction. Poker revenues dropped by 4 percent compared to the same period in 2024, bringing in €246 million. This shows a slowdown for the online card game that had previously enjoyed growth during the pandemic years.

Horse racing showed only small gains. Stakes went up by 1 percent, but this was slower than in previous years. GGR in this area stayed about the same, showing that the sector is no longer expanding as quickly as it once did.

FDJ United Growth Boosted by Acquisition

A major highlight in the ANJ report was the performance of FDJ United, the state-backed gaming and lottery operator. Its revenue from online betting and gaming increased to €700 million, a huge 458 percent increase. This remarkable increase was mainly because FDJ bought Kindred in October 2024, which added more online betting options to FDJ’s portfolio.

The report noted that Euromillions and other draw games also played a strong role in FDJ’s results, with big jackpots encouraging wider participation. Looking ahead, ANJ expects continued growth in the gambling industry through the second half of 2025. However, the authority also warned that new tax increases introduced during the summer could slow down future performance in ways that are not yet clear.

For now, the numbers show that gambling remains an increasingly important part of France’s entertainment market, with sports betting and FDJ United setting the pace.