France has had regulated online sports betting since 2010. In 2020, ANJ, The National Gambling Authority, took over the regulation of licensed online sports betting from ARJEL.  During this period, unlike other European markets, France has only had a relatively small number of recognized online sports betting operators. This is because French taxes on sports betting are extraordinarily high, at nearly 60% of gaming revenue, and because the most important gaming vertical, that of online casino games, is still banned in France. 

So with super high taxes and lack of online casino revenue, fewer consumer sports betting options have been available. There may be some changes coming in this respect, as France may move to legalize and regulate online casino play. With this, superior sports betting sites and apps that have not previously been in the French market may look to enter. For now, there is just one sports betting operator for France that we recommend: NetBet.

NetBet was established in 2001 and is licensed for sports betting in France with number 0043-PS-2011-07-25, as regulated by the ANJ.  NetBet France offers payment methods including Visa and Mastercard cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Neosurf, Paysafecard and bank transfers among others.

What sports betting brands have entered France, but exited the market soon after?

Various sports betting brands have looked to enter the France market, only to learn just how difficult it is to have a viable sports betting business there. The Italian brand SNAI, opened a French version SNAIpari.fr in 2011. It lasted only a little over a year, as they gave up their license in 2012.  Other brands such as Intralot and Titan gained licenses, only to give them up shortly after in 2012.  Well-established UK bookie brand Ladbrokes even tried a joint venture with Canal Plus, launching CanalWin in 2010. This were so difficult that they let their license lapse in 2011. That's how difficult the business conditions are in France for sports betting. Even well-seasoned operators lose patience and give up within a year.  More recently, one of the world's global sports betting brands entered France, only to exit within a few years: Betway. 

Is Betway available in France?

No. Although they entered France with an ANJ license in 2020, they soon discovered how difficult it is to operate there. They abrogated their license in 2023, so Betway is no longer live in the French online sports betting market.

Is BetFair available in France?

Before France amended their online gambling laws in 2009, BetFair actually did serve customers in France. However, once these laws were amended, the betting exchange brand now owned by Flutter, stopped serving France. So no, BetFair is no longer available to use from France.

Which global or regional betting brands have not entered the French sports betting market?

There are several sports betting brands that have gained international name recognition by integrating their brand within various sporting broadcasts. These broadcasts or video feeds that originate from outside France, may be visible to French audiences. As such, if you are in France, you might easily mistake a given international or regional bookie brand as one that might serve you, when they actually are not registered or licensed to serve France locally by the ANJ, and they do not serve France from an offshore jurisdiction. Below, we clarify and confirm which potentially visible brands do not actually serve customers in France.

Is Betano available in France?

No. Although French football fans can often see the Betano brand advertised during UEFA Europa and Conference matches, as well as various matches in other domestic leagues, Betano has not entered the French sports betting market.

Is bet365 available in France?

No. Although bet365 has perhaps the best sports betting platform in the world and is licensed in most European markets, to date, bet365 has not entered the French online sports betting market.

Is 1XBET available in France?

No, and thankfully so. 1XBET has grown to great visibility in recent years by paying big money for brand placement within various football leagues and their international broadcasts.  They are however, one of the least trusted online bookies in the world, with a reputation for canceling winnings. Even if you find yourself outside of France, they are a name to avoid.

Is Stake.com available in France?

No. Stake.com, which has been made visible as a brand through shirt sponsorships in the English Premier League, with F1 team sponsorships and through deals with popular celebrity infuencers, is not available for use from France. Stake.com terms explicitly mention that their service is excluded for people located in France.

Is BetMGM available in France?

No. Although this legal North American sports betting brand has expanded to some regulated European markets like Sweden and the UK, BetMGM has not sought an ANJ license in France.

Is FanDuel Sportsbook available in France?

No. FanDuel is exclusively a North American sports betting brand, serving the regulated markets in the USA and Canada. So if you've seen their brand advertised within sporting events held in America, know that FanDuel is not available to you in France.

Is DraftKings Sportsbook available in France?

No. Much like FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings operates exclusively in regulated North American markets. It is thus not available to interested sports bettors in France.