French Gambling Sites

They also created roulette, which is a staple of casino gambling but has few, if any, direct ancestors. They also invented other forms of gambling, such as pari-mutuel betting, and they even created a version of blackjack that, as we will see later, is quite different from the American version with which most people are familiar.

The hobby of gambling is strictly regulated in EU member states. People can bet on sports, horse races and poker both in person and online. But when it comes to gambling in casinos and on slot machines, the rules are much stricter. Casinos are often restricted to certain resort areas and cities (not Paris), and can sometimes be found just off the coast. A number of European countries have also banned or severely restricted pre-release slot machines.

As part of the European Union, France has had to adopt some not-so-strict gambling regulations and allow its citizens to enjoy licensed online operators from other EU friends. Nowadays, although some forms of betting are easier to find than others, you can access almost any type of wager you want.

This guide will introduce you to the best gambling sites in France, provide you with an understanding of our verification process, and equip you with the necessary information regarding the legality of placing bets in "L'Hexagone".

Why Are These Sites Recommended?

Many people wonder about our collection of suggested French gaming sites that would provoke us to call them "the best". First of all, the sites must meet the specific conditions required by the reader. For example, in this situation, the sites must all be accessible from France.

After looking closely at certain aspects - such as the sport, the type of bet, or the location of the bettor - our skilled team of reviewers certifies that every betting site we feature on casino-guide.biz meets our very high and very strict standards. Every game format found here can be assured of the following features (among many others)

Is Gambling Legal in France?

Gambling is legal in France, but only in certain forms that require skill or strategy. The country's online gambling regulator, ARJEL, says that these are "legal betting games that can be won through personal skill or strategy". These include sports betting, horse racing and poker.

In order to serve the citizens of France, a site must first be authorized by ARJEL. Online bookmakers must have formal agreements with the sports leagues that govern the games or events on which the bookmaker wishes to offer odds. In addition to these requirements, the website's headquarters must be located in an EU country.

By 2009, the industry had even tighter reins. At first, only a few select French gambling operators were allowed to serve the country. All horse betting had to go through the PMU, while sports betting was in the hands of its duopoly master, the Français de Jeux.

A complaint was lodged with the European Commission in 2006. EU member states are allowed to ban gambling for public interest reasons - such as preventing addiction or fighting organized crime - but they cannot grant exclusive rights to domestic operators in a market while completely excluding cross-border competition.

France initially ignored the Commission's requests, but eventually reformed its laws in 2009. Still, some site owners argue that France is not in compliance because it continues to block various forms of online gambling - casinos, for example. "At least it's legal now," seems to be the common reaction to sports betting these days. But the feelings of some site owners towards those who continue to allow Pari Mutual Urbain to control the horserace betting industry is just a lot of long faces over what they see as a continuing violation.

Currently, the European Commission has closed all investigations into French online gambling legislation and is satisfied with the licensing structure of the program, which provides room for foreign operators to participate.

How Does France Regulate Gambling?

In France, the entire gaming landscape is overseen by two regulatory authorities. The Ministry of the Interior manages all matters relating to the legalization and licensing of land-based gambling establishments. The Autorité de Régulation des Jeux en Ligne (ARJEL) is responsible for online betting.

If a company wishes to offer services to the French, it must first obtain the appropriate license from the relevant government authority. Licenses are available for operators wishing to offer poker, sports betting or horse track betting to the French public, with each activity requiring a specifically tailored license. Many sites choose to apply for all three.

Gambling advertising is highly regulated in France. Advertising on the Internet must include a warning and a link to a relevant government website dealing with compulsive gambling. In addition, any advertising on the Internet cannot be directed at minors and cannot appear on television or radio 30 minutes before or after a children's program. These are just a few of the many strict rules that cover all aspects of gambling advertising.

France’s History with Gambling

The1500s

Sometime in the 16th century, residents of France make a lasting contribution to gambling culture. They introduce the queen into the 52-card deck, replacing a figure called the nobleman.

The1600s

The roulette wheel is invented by a French mathematician named Blaise Pascal. The game of roulette was then created around the invention. To this day, roulette is a staple of any casino floor and one of the more popular table games.

The1700s

A card game named “vingt et un” is created. The name directly translates to “twenty-one.” Blackjack eventually evolves out of this French invention. In both games, the object is to create a hand with a total value as close to 21 as possible, though the rules were different in these earlier versions.

1842

Francois and Louis Blanc update roulette by adding the green “0” space to the wheel. This improves the odds for the house.

1870

In approximately 1870, the French invent pari-mutuel betting. This is the kind of pool betting that’s used for wagering on horse or greyhound races. Any number of bettors may participate, which raises the value of the total pot. The top three finishers divide the stakes amongst themselves.

1842

Francois and Louis Blanc update roulette by adding the green “0” space to the wheel. This improves the odds for the house.

1987

The legal gambling age in France is lowered by three years, from 21 to 18.

1988

France legalizes slot machines, which fall under the order on the regulation of games in casinos. Like all gaming, slots are heavily regulated, with a minimum return rate of 85% enforced by the Minister of Home Affairs. Any changes to the rate of return must be cleared by the same licensing authority at least fifteen days before launching the new odds.

2001

In 2001, the government awarded monopolies over gambling sites in France by giving Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) exclusive rights to offer online betting on horseracing, while Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) is given the same deal for sports betting. France blocks any foreign operators attempting to provide competitive services to residents from across the country’s borders.

2005

In 2005, the European Commission receives complaints about France’s self-imposed gambling monopolies and refusal to license or permit access to betting sites headquartered in other EU jurisdictions.

2006

The European Commission formally opens an investigation and informs the French authorities that they are in violation of treaty laws requiring EU member states to treat offshore operations in a way that’s consistent with domestic regulations.

2009

France notifies the European Commission that they’ve amended their gambling laws.

2010

What is known as the French Gambling Act is passed in May of 2010. This opens the nation’s online gaming industry and creates ARJEL to act as the authoritative and licensing body. Three types of licenses are designed for the following activities: online sports betting, online horserace betting, and a specific selection of online poker games. Satisfied with the new regulations, which allow foreign site owners to apply for French licensing, the European Commission drops all investigations into the country’s gaming industry.

2019

After owning over 70% of Europe’s largest lottery operator (FDJ), France has decided to sell over half of its stake. This sale will bring generate roughly $12.28 billion dollars that the administration reportedly plans to use to finance innovation across the country.

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