In this guide, we’ll take a look at all you need to know about betting in France, including our picks for the top 6 French betting sites, an overview of the legal situation in the country, popular payment methods, and much more.
Best Betting Sites We Recommend for France
Up to €100 in Free Bets 18+ Register on Betclic. Make your first deposit. Bet up to €100 on the sporting event of your choice. If your first bet loses, we will refund your Free bets stake up to €100. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Deposit €100, play with €200! 18+ Connect to ZEbet.fr / Download the ZEBet app from your store. Make your first real-money deposit into your newly created player account. YOUR DEPOSIT WILL BE DOUBLED IN FREE BETS. Free bets are non-withdrawable game credits. 50% of your deposit amount will be credited directly to your account. These are valid for six months. 50% will be paid upon confirmation of your account (once your documents have been verified and your activation code validated). If you play and win with free bets, only the net winnings from your bet will be credited to your account. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Welcome Bonus up to €100 18+ Register on Netbet. Make your first deposit. Place your 1st single or combined bet with no odds limit. Once your bet is finished – If it wins , you win the winnings corresponding to your bet – If it loses , we will automatically credit your NetBet account up to €50 in free bets (2 coupons of €25 max). 30 days after validation of your account, you will receive up to €50 in additional free bets (2 coupons of €25 max) based on your losing bets over the period. Your free bets are credited in 4 installments, 1 coupon after your first bet, 1 coupon upon validation of your account, 2 coupons after 30 days . If your account is already validated, you will receive 2 free bets in one go. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Welcome Bonus up to €100 18+ Open your VBET account and make a first deposit. Place your first bet in real money (no non-withdrawable game credits) on a single or combined bet live or in pre-match. Receive the stake of your first bet up to €
100 (in non-withdrawable game credits), if your bet loses. The bonus is credited in two parts: 50% of the amount of your first bet (up to €50) credited within 24 hours after the result of your bet. 50% of the amount of your 1st bet (up to €50) credited after the final verification of your account and after the result of your bet placed with the first non-withdrawable game credit. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org #ad |
Free Bets up to €100 18+ Register and log in to take advantage of our welcome offer. Receive up to €100 in free bets. If your first sports bet loses, we match your stake up to €100 in the form of free bets. Two free bets will have the same combined value as your stake, up to €100. Take advantage of numerous markets. Use your free bets on the sport of your choice within seven days. Only customers who opened a new Stars Account and made a valid deposit can benefit from this offer. If you have already taken advantage of another Sports Welcome Offer, you are not eligible for this offer. Bets placed with free bets, bets withdrawn with the Cash Out option and voided bets are not taken into account. Minimum odds of 1.50 and a minimum stake of €1 are applied to all eligible bets. The free bet(s) will expire seven days after being credited. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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100% up to 5 BTC 18+ Cloudbet offers its new users a 100% deposit bonus up to 5 BTC. Create your Cloudbet account. Make a cryptocurrency deposit. Your Cloudbet bonus will be credited to you automatically. The minimum deposit required is 0.001 BTC. You can collect welcome bonus points by playing crypto casino games. For every 150 points earned, a bonus increase is released. The bonus is released in increments of 0.001 BTC. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Online Betting in France
The French gambling sector shares certain similarities to the United Kingdom’s, though, as always, online betting abroad will always present a few key differences. France is no exception, with a rather strict online gambling policy.
Regardless of this fact, the French gambling industry has still found a way to grow. From statistics taken between January and June 2022, gambling revenue in France reached €5.26 billion (£4.66 billion), while online gambling revenue hit €1.07 billion (£948 million).
Online sports betting fell by 11.8% from the previous year, but this is mainly due to an increase in revenue from Euro 2020 betting. The second part of the year included the 2022 World Cup during which France made it all the way to the final, meaning the annual revenue will definitely recover and likely reach a record high.
Sporting Events in France
France boasts a staggering amount of elite and world-class athletes in many sports. This has led to the French hosting many top sporting events, with betting responsible for a significant part of the nation's revenue. These events include:
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Football: Ligue 1 – Considered the fifth best football league in Europe and arguably the world.
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Tennis: The French open – One of the biggest tennis events of the year set in Paris during May.
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Tennis: The Rolex Paris Masters – The ATP 1000 masters is another great French tennis event.
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Rugby: Six Nations – Reserved for the six best European nations, France are the current reigning champions.
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Horse racing: The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – An internationally recognised horse racing event.
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Cycling: Tour De France – The most prestigious and famous cycling tournament in the world.
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Olympics: France are set to host the 2024 summer Olympic games.
| Pos | Team | ✓✓ | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Paris Saint Germain |
19/30 |
63%
|
| 2 |  Monaco |
17/29 |
59%
|
| 3 |  Lille |
15/30 |
50%
|
Is Online Betting Legal in France?
The French have had a long history of gambling, dating back hundreds of years. The roulette wheel was even invented by a French mathematician, Blaise Pascal, in the 17th century.
Online betting has had a slightly different story, though. In fact, the entire industry was closed off to international operators until pressure from the EU led the French government to introduce the French Gambling Act on the 12th of May, 2010.
This new policy made online sports betting, horse racing betting, and online poker legal. However, online casino games, betting exchanges, and spread betting websites are still banned. This is an initiative by the Justice Ministry to prevent gambling addiction.
The French online gambling market is regulated by Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ). The latter's predecessor, Autorité de Régulation des Jeux En Ligne (ARJEL), was dissolved in early 2020, with the ANJ formed on the 16th of June in the same year.
While betting on sports and horse racing is tax-free, you have to pay a 2-8% tax on every online poker win. Additionally, a 33% corporation tax is levied by the French government on online betting operators.
Due to these harsh regulations, there are fewer than 20 licensed French betting sites at the time of writing this article, making the online betting market in the country much smaller than the one in the United Kingdom. This also resulted in several betting giants like bet365 and William Hill leaving the French gambling market in 2010.
Although there are several unlicensed betting sites are offering their services to French customers, these sites risk being fined up to €100,000 per day. We strongly suggest that you avoid these particular operators to protect your personal and financial details.
Choosing a Good Betting Site
Here are the key points you should keep in mind when choosing a French betting site:
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Do not register at an unlicensed betting site. The ones we have listed above all hold valid licences from reputable authorities, so rest assured that they are perfectly safe to sign up to.
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Choosing a betting site that can handle multiple languages is a huge plus, especially if they offer French or English.
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Opt for a bookmaker that accepts the euro as a currency option.
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Choose a site that offers an option to livestream matches, in-depth match statistics, and betting tools, such as Cash Out and Bet Builder.
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Always look out for bookies which offer active betting markets and competitive odds.
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A great welcome offer, as well as frequent promotions and deals are a huge plus to any punter’s experience.
Popular Payment Methods for French Customers
Licensed French betting sites accept several payment methods, including debit card, bank transfer, PayPal, paysafecard, NETELLER, Skrill and Payz (formerly ecoPayz). Apart from NETELLER, which charges a 2-4% processing fee, all other payment methods are free to use. As for which currency to bet with, the euro is accepted by all licensed operators that are available to French punters.
Before you register at a betting site, you should always check all important details related to supported payment methods, processing fees, and processing periods. Be sure to select a service that is the most convenient to you and your needs.
Live Betting in France
Live betting in France is quite similar to live betting in the United Kingdom, with many in-depth markets being offered during matches and sporting events. This, of course, may vary depending on the sport. Some sites may be tailored to one sport more than another, so it’s also something to think about when choosing a new betting site.
Livestreaming on the other hand may be a bit harder than in-play betting to come by, and broadcasting rights may prevent certain events from being available to punters in France.
However, you'll usually be afforded popular features like detailed match statistics, betting tools like Bet Builder, and it also takes the leading position among the cash out betting sites.
How to Bet Online in France
The process of registering at a French betting site, depositing money, placing bets, and withdrawing winnings is the same as on UK football betting sites.
Football, rugby, tennis, horse racing, and cycling are the most popular sports to bet on in France, with French customers preferring to bet on the many events and sports which are played in the country itself.
If you are new to the world of betting, start small and place bets on markets that you are accustomed to. Once you gain a better understanding of the ins and outs of online betting, you'll be able to expand your horizons. If you are a foreigner in France and would like to bet using your account back home while abroad, you should also consider using a VPN.
Other Country Betting Guides – Click Each Flag To Learn More
French Betting Sites FAQs
Betclic, Zebet, and NetBet are the best betting sites for French locals and tourists.
Yes, online betting is legal in France. That said, there are several rules and restrictions in place, meaning certain gambling products such as slots are banned.
The most popular payment methods for online betting in France are debit card, bank transfer, and e-wallets like PayPal, paysafecard, Payz, NETELLER, and Skrill.
Yes, the euro is accepted by all licensed French betting sites.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
While online betting is legal in France, there is a set of regulations in place with a few more restrictions than you're probably used to. That said, this does not deprive you of an enjoyable betting experience overall.
All you need to do is make sure to choose a licensed French betting site that best serves your needs, and always avoid unlicensed operators for your own safety. On a final note, remember to bet responsibly, no matter where in the world you are!