France’s top betting sites (Bet in France)
Since the Renaissance, the French have had a reputation for being an inventive people. The French have made great contributions to culture and sport, and they are known for their national motto, Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite, which also happens to be their favorite type of gambling, including sports, betting. And when you combine all of it with a strong economy and an incredible football culture, you create a favorable environment for football betting in France. Despite all of this, the manner the government chose to regulate the internet betting industry is far from liberal. In the parts that follow, we’ll go into more detail regarding that feature, the top bookmakers in France, and all other crucial elements of online gambling.
France’s Betting Laws
France, which was among the first in Europe to regulate its online gambling industry, serves as a prime illustration of how not to go about things. And even though little changed, it appears like things are getting better now. Why will be discussed? Prior to applying for a license from the France Gambling Commission (ARJEL or Autorité de Régulation des Jeux En Ligne), online betting websites must adhere to strict regulations. All licensees are required to adopt the “Frontal” IT system, which serves as a centralized database of all gamblers in France, in order to assure their participation in the battle against problem gambling and money laundering.
Naturally, this entails a considerable expense for the bookmakers, a cost that is not reimbursed in any way nor subtracted from taxes. And speaking of taxes, licensed bookmakers are subject to a 33.3 percent income tax under the gambling laws of France. In addition, there is an additional tax of 7.5 percent for all bets on sporting events, and an additional 8 percent for bets on horse racing.
Bookmakers offering online betting in France must also be able to pay an annual cost for their five-year license, based on the number of licenses they ask for, in addition to being able to adhere to a lengthy list of standards and restrictions. One license costs €20,000, two cost €30,000, and three cost €40,000.
French betting sites without licenses
There are many unlicensed operators offering its services to French gamblers in light of the tough conditions. ISP bans on domains with expired licenses are being used to combat this. By preventing the majority of transactions to unauthorized internet betting sites, the regional banks also support the cause. Additionally, even if ARJEL has the authority to levy fines of up to €100,000 and even bring legal action against anyone found in violation, gamblers who want to use foreign betting sites still have a variety of possibilities. Furthermore, there is nothing to worry about because there are no sanctions against bettors at unregistered bookmakers.
French online betting
Between internet betting in France and online betting in the UK, there aren’t many differences. The stunning €1.42 billion in revenue generated by the French online gambling market in 2019 was a figure that was only projected to rise over time, and it did.
With a quarterly revenue of €617 million in Q2 2021, the French online gambling business reported an all-time high. This was partially related to the Euro, which increased sports betting and saw €2.15 billion in wagers.
Is French law permitting online gambling?
Autorité Nationale des Jeux regulates internet gambling in France (ANJ). The former’s forerunner, Autorité de Régulation des Jeux En Ligne (ARJEL), was abolished in the early months of 2020, and ANJ was established on June 16 of that same year.
Sports betting, horse racing betting, and online poker (Texas hold’em and Omaha poker) are all permitted under the French Gambling Act, which went into effect on May 12, 2010, making internet gambling lawful in France. Websites offering spread betting, online casinos, and betting exchanges are prohibited.
While wagering on sports and horse races is tax-free, winnings from playing online poker are subject to taxes ranging from 2 to 8 percent. Additionally, the French government charges companies that offer online gambling a 33 percent corporate tax.
Because of these strict laws, there are currently less than 20 licensed betting sites in France, which makes the industry there far smaller than the market in the UK. As a result, numerous industry titans in the betting industry, including William Hill and bet365, left the French gaming sector in 2010.
Even if there are a number of unlawful betting sites that serve French users, they run the danger of receiving fines of up to €100,000 per day. To protect your financial information and personal information, we firmly advise that you stay away from these specific operators.
Selecting a Reliable Betting Site
The following are the main considerations you should make while selecting a French betting site:
- Avoid signing up for an unregulated betting site. All of the French betting sites we’ve listed above have legitimate licenses from trustworthy organizations, so you can join them with complete confidence.
- Select a global betting company that provides customer care in a number of languages.
- Choose a bookmaker that lets you choose the Euro as a currency.
- Pick a website that provides the chance to live stream games, comprehensive match statistics, and betting options like Cash Out and Bet Builder.
- Always keep an eye out for bookmakers that provide active betting markets and high-quality odds.
Popular Methods of Payment for French Clients
Several payment options are available at authorized French betting sites, including debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, Paysafecard, Neteller, Skrill, and ecoPayz. All other forms of payment are cost-free to use, with the exception of Neteller, which levies a processing fee of 2-4 percent. All regulated operators accept the Euro as a form of payment for placing bets.
Check all pertinent information on accepted payment methods, processing costs, and processing times before signing up with a betting site. Select a payment method based on what is most practical for you and your needs.
Betting in France live
The sporting events that are accessible for live streaming may differ due to broadcasting rights, but live betting in France and live betting in the UK are relatively comparable.
The majority of the time, though, you’ll have access to well-liked features like live streaming options, in-depth match data, betting tools like Cash Out and Bet Builder, and a variety of well-liked betting markets. If you want to make in-play bets, you must always watch live sports matches.
How to Bet in France Online
The steps for signing up, making a deposit, placing bets, and cashing out winnings at a French betting site are the same as those used by UK betting companies.
The most popular sports to wager on in France include football, rugby, tennis, horse racing, and cycling, with French clients favoring wagers on the Ligue 1, Ligue 2, Six Nations Championship, and French Open, Tour de France, and Monaco Grand Prix.
Start modest and place wagers on markets that you are familiar with if you are new to betting. You’ll be able to broaden your horizons after you have a greater understanding of the ins and outs of online betting.
The Last Word
Although it is possible to place bets online in France, there are a few additional limitations than you’re probably used to. Nevertheless, these rules don’t prevent you from having a positive betting experience overall.
To ensure your protection, only use legal French betting sites. Always stay away from illegitimate operators. Finally, wherever you are in the world, always exercise responsible gambling!
French Bookmakers FAQs
- Is French law permitting internet gambling?
Yes, legal online gambling exists in France. Nevertheless, there are a number of guidelines and limitations in place.
- What are the most widely used payment options in France for online betting?
In France, debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets like PayPal, Paysafecard, ecoPayz, Neteller, and Skrill are the most widely used payment options for online betting.
- Are French betting sites accepting the Euro?
Yes, all approved French betting sites accept the Euro.
