French market posts 22% annual online revenue leap

The French online gambling market posted a collective 22% year-on-year (YoY) increase in revenue in 2020 as poker and horseracing grew exponentially. Data from French regulator ANJ shows total revenue reached €1.74bn in 2020, up from €1.42bn in 2019, which was supported by growth across sports betting, horseracing and poker. Total sports betting revenue climbed 7% to €940m from €880, while total amounts wagered grew by 6% to €5.4bn. Horseracing and poker were the high-growth stars in 2020, with revenue growing 31% and 64%, respectively. Horseracing revenue clocked in at €354m, up from €271m in 2019 with a 33% increase in total amount placed in bets to €1.5bn. Poker’s 64% rise to €446m from €272m represented the highest revenue recorded for the vertical since the market opened in 2011. The vertical’s player pool skyrocketed by 53% in 2020 to 1.84 million players, with many French customers turning to online poker due to coronavirus-enforced lockdowns. Total online players in France rose 17% from 4.17 million in 2019 to 4.89 million in 2020. Ten years after the online market opened in France, the ANJ highlighted the mass growth in that time. The online gaming market represented 17% of the market’s total turnover, while the number of players has more than doubled between 2011 and 2020. Revenue from online sports betting has ballooned 717% while poker (42%) and horseracing (46%) have also grown. Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, ANJ president, said the growth of the online market in France predicated the need for operators to strengthen their responsible gambling strategies to sustainably manage the industry. Falque-Pierrotin said: “The good health of the online gaming sector, due in particular to the massive arrival of new players in sports betting and poker, requires operators to strengthen their initiatives to prevent problem gambling and protect minors. “In accordance with the new obligations that came into effect in 2020, they must better identify and help players at risk, provide tools for moderating playing time or wagers and guaranteeing responsible promotional strategies. “More than ever, and with the approach of major sporting events before the summer, the promotion of a recreational game must be a priority shared by all,” she added.