Alongside Cyprus, France remains the last country in the European Union to ban online casino gaming. Online roulette, slots, live blackjack: not a single one of these activities is regulated by the French state as of 18 May 2026. Yet the issue has never been more alive than it is right now. A fresh amendment has been tabled as part of the 2026 finance bill, a 55.6% tax on gross gaming revenue is on the table, and the black market has reportedly grown eightfold in six years according to figures put forward by the government.
So where does legalisation actually stand? Which scenarios are on the cards for late 2026 and 2027? And in the meantime, what are the millions of French players already using offshore sites actually doing? Here is a full rundown, updated with the latest parliamentary developments.
Online casino in France: what the law says as of 18 May 2026
Before diving into the detail of the current debate, a quick reminder of the legal framework in force is in order. The French position has not budged an inch in fifteen years, and it is precisely this stability that makes the 2026 debate so striking. Here is what is allowed, what is not, and what the law sets out in the event of an offence.
A ban inherited from the 2010 act
The current framework rests on Act No. 2010-476 of 12 May 2010, which ended the state monopoly on online gambling. That legislation opened three sectors to competition, and three only: sports betting, horse-race betting and poker. Everything else, starting with slots, roulette and blackjack, stayed outside the legal perimeter.
It was this same act that created ARJEL, since rebranded as the French national gaming authority (ANJ). The ANJ issues licences, supervises operators, and regularly warns about the harms tied to the black market. Fifteen years on from its passage, the 2010 act has undergone no structural change to the scope of permitted games.
What is currently allowed online
In practical terms, an operator based in France may only offer the following activities under an ANJ licence:
- fixed-odds sports betting;
- pari-mutuel horse-race betting;
- online poker, in its Texas Hold’em and Omaha variants;
- lottery and scratchcard games, under the monopoly of the Française des Jeux.
So the following are excluded from any chance of a French licence: online slots, virtual roulette, blackjack, baccarat and every live casino table with a live dealer. Even though live gaming involves human interaction comparable to a land-based casino, it is legally classed as online casino gaming and falls under the ban.
The penalties set out by law
Article 56 of the 2010 act provides for severe penalties against operators that unlawfully offer online gambling to French residents: up to three years’ imprisonment and a 90,000-euro fine. These penalties rise to seven years and 200,000 euros when the offence is committed as part of an organised group.
An important point to grasp: the law targets the operators and intermediaries that facilitate access to banned games, not players themselves. A private individual living in France who signs up to an offshore casino faces no personal criminal prosecution. They do, however, forfeit all legal protection in the event of a dispute with the operator, which is the real practical risk.
Why France held on to its exception for fifteen years
France kept this distinctive regime while all its neighbours gradually opened up their markets, and that was no accident. Three forces have stood against any attempt at reform since 2010: land-based casino operators, charities specialising in addiction prevention, and the elected officials of the towns that host gaming venues. Understanding their arguments is essential to grasping why the issue is so stuck.
The economic weight of land-based casinos
The first reason for the status quo: France has 202 land-based casinos that generated 2.8 billion euros in gross gaming revenue in 2025, up 3.4% year on year. These venues are economic pillars for many seaside and spa towns. They pay particularly high levies and employ thousands of people locally.
The Casinos de France trade body has never hidden its hostility to an online opening that would not be reserved for it. The fear, voiced publicly at every attempt at reform: seeing digital slots cannibalise the revenue of physical venues, leading to closures and job losses in already fragile local economies.
Warnings from addiction-prevention bodies
The second historical brake: public health. The Fédération Addiction, France’s leading network for addiction prevention and treatment, regularly points out that online casino games combine every known risk factor: high bet frequency, fast results, round-the-clock access, and the solitary nature of play. A reform of this scale cannot, in their view, go through a simple budget amendment with no impact assessment or prior consultation.
The subject is sensitive enough that Bonus Empire offers a full guide to casino gambling addiction and a reminder that the minimum age remains set at 18, as we explain in our dedicated article on casino access at 18.
The position of local elected officials
In October 2024, an op-ed signed by 130 mayors, including David Lisnard (president of the AMF) and the heads of the associations representing coastal, tourist and mountain-area officials, warned the government with a now-famous line: “Do not open the Pandora’s box of online casinos.” Their case put the potential loss of tax revenue for the state and local authorities at 440 million euros in the event of a broad opening, owing to players shifting from physical venues to digital ones.
October 2024: the Barnier amendment and the outcry that followed
On 19 October 2024, the Barnier government tabled a surprise amendment to the 2025 finance bill. The text provided for the legalisation of online casino gaming, paired with a 27.8% levy for the state, doubled by an equivalent levy for the social security system in the social-security finance bill. That added up to overall taxation of 55.6% on gross gaming revenue, aligned with the rate on the FDJ’s online lottery games.
The explanatory memorandum rested on two arguments. First, the public-health argument: drying up the black market that thrives with no safeguards whatsoever. Second, the fiscal argument: capturing a market valued at between 748 million and 1.5 billion euros in gross gaming revenue, on which the state currently collects not a single cent in direct levies.
The backlash was immediate. Casinos de France, the Fédération Addiction, the associations of local officials, several MPs: all called for the text to be withdrawn. The then budget minister, Laurent Saint-Martin, announced the withdrawal the following week and the launch of a consultation at Bercy, whose first plenary meeting was held in November 2024. The fall of the Barnier government on a no-confidence motion in December 2024 put this process on hold.
2026 finance bill: the machine starts up again
A year after the Barnier amendment was pulled, the issue is coming back through the same budgetary door. The 2026 finance bill contains a comparable measure, but with a few tweaks designed to neutralise the opposition seen in 2024. Here are the three main strands of the text now under discussion.
A tax regime modelled on the online lottery
The issue is back on the table with the 2026 finance bill. A fresh amendment, in line with the 2024 text, once again proposes to open up the online casino market in France. The 55.6% levy on gross gaming revenue is being kept, which would make it, if adopted, the heaviest tax regime in Europe for the sector.
International operators, who are following the matter closely, consider this level of taxation a deal-breaker. A senior strategist at a major European group, quoted in the trade press, spoke in early 2026 of a “confiscatory rate” that wipes the operating margin of future licensees down to zero once VAT and operating costs are added in.
The scenario of a licence restricted to existing casino operators
To neutralise opposition from physical venues, the government is weighing a period of restricted licensing. In concrete terms, only operators that already run a land-based casino in France would be allowed to launch an online platform during the first few years. A private member’s bill tabled by MP Philippe Latombe points in exactly this direction: allowing land-based casino operators to offer an online product, drawing on the supply and maintenance companies that equip them.
This model, described as a “controlled transition”, matches what several neighbouring countries already put in place when they opened up their markets. It offers an on-ramp to incumbent operators while limiting, at first, the mass arrival of the big international groups.
Why go via an ordinance
On the legal side, the text relies on the ordinance mechanism. Parliament would vote on the principle of legalisation and on the tax framework, but would authorise the government to set out later, by ordinance, all the regulatory details: licensing conditions, bet caps, player-protection mechanisms, bonus rules and responsible-gambling measures.
This method makes it possible to move faster and to keep some technical leeway, but it is criticised for its lack of democratic debate on matters that touch on public health.
France swimming against the European tide
In 2026, France and Cyprus are the last two countries in the European Union not to have regulated online casino gaming. Every other member state has opened up the market, at varying speeds and with varying models.
- Belgium: a licensing system that couples land-based venues with online platforms, with a regulated tax framework and strict control of advertising.
- Spain: opened up in 2012, a competitive market with centralised regulation and tough restrictions on bonuses and advertising since 2020.
- Denmark: a model often held up as an example, combining reasonable taxation, addiction control and effective channelling of the black market.
- Italy: long-standing regulation, a mature market with around a hundred licensed operators and progressive taxation.
The ANJ drew on these case studies in its 2024-2026 strategic plan to identify the best practices to transpose in the event of an opening. The Belgian, Spanish and Danish models come up most often in the preparatory work.
The figures that tip the scales
The French debate crystallises around a handful of figures drawn from studies commissioned by the ANJ and the consultancy PwC. Here are the key orders of magnitude to know in order to grasp the scope of the issue.
- The gross gaming revenue generated by the black market in France is estimated at between 748 million and 1.5 billion euros a year, or 5 to 11% of the overall gambling market.
- Around 3 million people are thought to play on the black market at least once a month, according to PwC’s 2023 study. Another estimate, cited by the Senate, points to 4 million French people exposed each month.
- The black market is reported to have grown eightfold in six years, according to figures put forward by the government in the explanatory memorandum to the 2024 amendment.
- 50% of this illegal supply is thought to consist of online casino games (slots, blackjack, roulette, live casino).
- 79% of the gross gaming revenue from the black market is reported to come from players with at-risk gambling habits, which reinforces the channelling argument.
- The overall gambling market in France reached 14.1 billion euros in gross gaming revenue in 2025, up 3% year on year.
- The state could recover around 1 billion euros in annual tax revenue in the event of legalisation and effective channelling.
Three scenarios for what comes next in 2026-2027
No one can predict the final outcome with certainty, but three trajectories emerge from the parliamentary signals and the positions voiced by the various stakeholders. Here they are, from the most optimistic to the most cautious.
Scenario 1: adoption via the 2026 finance bill and a launch in late 2026 or early 2027
This is the most optimistic scenario for supporters of the reform. If the budget amendment passes broadly as it stands during the autumn debates, the regulatory framework could be finalised by ordinance in mid-2026. The time needed for the ANJ to launch calls for applications, vet the first files and grant the first licences brings us to an effective launch of the first licensed sites in late 2026 or early 2027.
Scenario 2: a lengthy consultation followed by a dedicated act in 2027
The middle scenario, which many observers regard as the most likely. The government, stung by the 2024 outcry, chooses to take the issue out of the finance bill and deal with it in dedicated legislation. That would open a formal consultation phase of six to twelve months, with parliamentary hearings, a public-health impact assessment, and full parliamentary adoption rather than an amendment slipped into a budget text. Effective launch: at some point in 2027, or even early 2028.
Scenario 3: an extended status quo
The pessimistic scenario, but one that cannot be ruled out. A fresh political crisis, a change of government, coordinated pressure from casino operators and addiction charities: any of these could once again jam the parliamentary machinery. In that case, the black market would keep growing unchecked, and France would remain isolated at European level.
While waiting for the law: what are French players doing?
The question is not theoretical: between three and four million French people already play at online casinos every month, according to the studies cited by the government. With no national framework, they turn to foreign platforms operating under international licences. Here is how this parallel market works and how to navigate it without landing on a dodgy operator.
The role of offshore (non-ARJEL) casinos
With no legal offering, several million French people turn each month to what are known as non-ARJEL casinos, that is, platforms run from abroad under an international licence. These operators hold no ANJ licence (impossible to obtain today for this activity) but do hold a licence issued by a recognised foreign authority.
The main benchmark jurisdictions are the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), Curaçao, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man and Kahnawake. Each imposes its own requirements on player-fund segregation, anti-money-laundering checks, game-fairness testing and responsible-gambling tools.
How to check whether an offshore casino is trustworthy
Not all non-ARJEL casinos are equal, far from it. A few concrete criteria help weed out the dodgy operators:
- Check the licence number and verify it directly on the issuing authority’s website. The MGA and Gibraltar provide public registers.
- Make sure the games come from reputable studios, for example Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play or Play’n Go, which are audited by independent bodies such as eCOGRA or iTech Labs.
- Read the bonus terms carefully, in particular the wagering requirements. On that note, some operators now offer wager-free bonuses, which are far more favourable than standard bonuses.
- Favour casinos that accept reliable payment methods, for example Cashlib or Paysafecard, which let you play without sharing your bank details.
- Test how responsive the customer support is before making any significant deposit.
- Check that responsible-gambling tools are in place (self-exclusion, deposit caps, session time limits).
The Bonus Empire team reviews new platforms as they arrive on the market. Our up-to-date list is available on our new online casinos page, and our overall editorial selection can be found on the homepage.
The key takeaways as of 18 May 2026
The online casino legalisation issue has never been further along than it is today, yet it still hangs on an uncertain parliamentary timetable. As of 18 May 2026, no online casino is legal in France. The 2026 finance bill contains an amendment that could change the picture, with a 55.6% levy, an ordinance mechanism and a possible scenario of a licence restricted to existing casino operators.
Three scenarios coexist: swift adoption via the finance bill, dedicated legislation in 2027, or another delay. In the meantime, the black market keeps growing at a brisk pace, which strengthens the channelling argument made by supporters of the reform. At European level, France and Cyprus remain the last two exceptions to an opening-up movement that has already reached the other twenty-five member states.
For French players, the practical stake stays the same: choosing a trustworthy platform while waiting for a national legal framework. The smart moves are to favour serious international licences, to check for reputable studios, and to rely on rigorous editorial selections. This article will be updated as new parliamentary developments on the 2026 finance bill unfold.
FAQ
Is online casino gaming legal in France in 2026?
No. As of 18 May 2026, online casino games (slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, live casino) remain banned in France. Only sports betting, horse-race betting, online poker and the Française des Jeux lottery games are allowed under an ANJ licence. An amendment to the 2026 finance bill could nonetheless change this situation in the coming months.
When will online casinos be legalised in France?
No official date has been set yet. The most optimistic scenario points to adoption via the 2026 finance bill, with the first licensed sites going live in late 2026 or early 2027. The middle scenario, judged more likely by observers, leans instead towards dedicated legislation passed in 2027 for a launch at some point in 2028. A further delay remains possible in the event of a political deadlock.
Can you be penalised for playing at an offshore online casino?
No. French law targets the operators and intermediaries that facilitate access to banned games, not individual players. No French player has been criminally prosecuted simply for playing at a non-ARJEL casino. The real practical risk is the lack of recourse in the event of a dispute with the operator, which is why it matters to choose a platform holding a serious international licence.
What is a non-ARJEL casino?
A non-ARJEL casino is an online gaming platform run from abroad under an international licence (Malta Gaming Authority, Curaçao, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Kahnawake). These casinos hold no ANJ licence because such a licence does not exist for casino games in France. They are nonetheless accessible to French players and offer a far wider catalogue than the legal French market, which is limited to poker and betting.
Why is the proposed 55.6% tax so controversial?
A 55.6% rate on gross gaming revenue would put France at the highest tax level in Europe for online casinos. By way of comparison, Spain applies 20%, the United Kingdom 21% and Italy 25%. International operators consider this level confiscatory and fear it would discourage serious operators from applying for a French licence, leaving the black market to thrive for want of a competitive legal offering.
Is France really the only European country to ban online casinos?
Along with Cyprus, yes. Every other European Union member state has regulated online casino gaming at various dates and under various models. Belgium, Spain, Denmark and Italy are the models most often studied by the ANJ as part of its preparatory work.
What does Bet365’s arrival in France on 26 May 2026 change?
Bet365 launches its French site in late May 2026, but only within the legally permitted scope (sports betting and poker). The British operator does not offer online casino gaming in France, since that activity remains banned. Its arrival nonetheless shows how attractive the French market is to major international groups and bolsters the case of those arguing for a gradual opening of the casino segment.
