Sports betting fuels France’s $6.7B gambling revenue in first half of 2025
Summary
France’s gambling market reached an unprecedented level of activity in H1 2025, with Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of €5.7 billion ($6.7 billion). Wagers jumped 15% to €6 billion and online GGR rose 6% year‑on‑year, according to the Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ). Sports betting dominated online revenue, while poker declined and horse racing remained flat. Major operators FDJ United and PMU posted contrasting results, influenced by acquisitions and shifting stakes.
Key Points
- H1 2025 GGR: €5.7bn ($6.7bn); total wagers up 15% to €6bn.
- Online segment contributed €1.4bn in GGR; sports betting made up 69% (€961m) of online GGR, +10% year‑on‑year.
- Active player accounts rose over 10% to 4.1 million.
- Tennis was the fastest‑growing betting market (+22%), boosted by Roland Garros (bets in May and June +46% and +51% vs 2024).
- Poker GGR fell 4% to €246m; cash game revenue down 15% to €47m; tournaments steady at €199m.
- Horse racing GGR flat at €174m; stakes +1% but mixed player trends (active accounts +3%, unique players -3%).
- FDJ United’s reported GGR rose 19% overall due to the Kindred acquisition; like‑for‑like GGR +1.6% to €4.4bn.
- PMU saw declines: stakes €3.2bn (-4.2%) and GGR €830m (-2.6%), with a weak Q1.
- ANJ warns H2 performance will hinge on player retention, operator commercial strategies and the yet‑uncertain effects of higher summer taxes.
Content summary
ANJ describes H1 2025 as an “absolutely unprecedented level of activity” for the French gambling market. Online betting accounted for a substantial slice of revenue, with sports betting clearly leading the charge. Growth in tennis wagering — largely a Roland Garros effect — underlines how major tournaments still drive volume even when large global events are absent.
Poker has softened despite a growing player base, reflecting lower cash‑game returns. Horse racing held steady but showed signs of increased promotional activity and competitive intensity. FDJ United’s figures were significantly influenced by the purchase of Kindred, inflating headline growth, while PMU experienced falling stakes and revenues.
Context and relevance
This report matters if you follow European gaming markets, operator performance or regulatory impacts on gambling. It highlights the continued shift towards online and sports betting, the sensitivity of revenue to major sporting fixtures, and how consolidation (FDJ’s Kindred deal) can reshape reported results. For regulators and operators, the note about new taxes and retention strategies is particularly pertinent for planning H2.
Author’s note
Punchy and to the point: sports betting is doing the heavy lifting in France right now — and acquisitions are skewing headline numbers. If you work in operator strategy, regulation or investor relations, the details here should be on your radar.
Why should I read this
Quick heads up: France’s gambling market just posted very strong H1 numbers and sports betting is the main reason. If you want the snapshot on who’s winning (FDJ via Kindred), what’s cooling off (poker), and what might trip the market up in H2 (new taxes and player retention), this saves you the time of wading through the full ANJ report.
