France Gambling Sites and Law
Without the contributions of some great French minds, gambling as we know it would be quite different. Roulette was conceived in 17th century France, and over the years the best and most famous roulette systems have been developed.
Baccarat and pari-mutuel horse betting are also the spawns of French ingenuity. The queen replaced the nobleman in a deck of playing cards too.
All of these inventions are now fixtures in casinos and betting establishments around the world.
French gambling laws, like Spanish gambling sites and laws, are overseen by three main bodies here. Pari-mutuel Urban (PMU) is responsible for horseracing while Française des Jeux is the entity that oversees lotteries and betting games.
Both of these outfits are state-owned. Online betting was legalized by the implementation of the French Gambling Act in 2010 and is regulated by ARJEL which loosely translates into the “Regulatory authority for online games”.
It is an independent administrative authority which was specifically designed for regulating online gambling in France. The categories of legal online gambling are sports betting, horse racing, and poker.
One gambling platform that is conspicuously absent is online casino games. The French authorities deem online casino games too addictive and therefore do not permit it.
This doesn’t mean that French online casino players can’t get their fix. There are plenty of online operators that accept French players although many sites have been blocked in France.
French authorities do not prosecute those who gamble at internet casinos.
Top 10 Gambling Sites for France in 24 April 2024 – Updated List
What are the Best French Gambling Sites and Promotions?
Due to several online casinos being blocked from France, there are a few of usual industry big guns missing from the following list. Still, Gambling Judge has at least 70 top-rated online casinos listed that accept French players and offer great bonuses.
Party, Betdna, and Intertops are also among the industry leaders and they are giving away $100 in Casino bonuses. Casino Sieger offers €200 casino bonuses while €300 in bonuses can be claimed at Casino X.
Online poker players also have a great selection of excellent poker rooms and valuable bonuses available to them. From our Parimatch review you can find out about the casino welcome bonus of up to $500. Unibet and Bwin will add up to €500 to your account and Intertops will boost your account balance by up to $1,000. Red Kings really ups the ante with their €2,500 poker bonus.
These bonuses and more are found at Gambling Judge’s promotions section where you can also find casino and poker room reviews that are packed with the type of information you need when you are looking for a reputable online gaming site that offers big bonuses.
How Regulated is the French Gambling Market?
The French gambling laws are very modern and reflect the realities of today’s gaming environment. The regulations are strictly enforced and illegal operators face very heavy fines. French tax laws make it difficult for gambling companies to make a decent profit compared to many other jurisdictions and the international gambling companies are under regular scrutiny from ARJEL.
Many online casinos have been blocked but French players are not prosecuted for playing at these sites. There are over 150 land-based casinos operating in France and these operations are also tightly regulated and closely monitored.
What Currencies and Methods of Payment do French Players Generally Use?
The official currency of France is the euro and it is accepted at all land-based establishments and is a common currency option at most online gaming sites. The most common method of making payments to online betting sites is by major credit card or debit card.
Prepaid options such as EntroPay and PaySafe are widely accepted as are eWallets like Skrill and Neteller. Players can also choose to do transactions via bank transfers. Check your preferred gaming website to see what methods are accepted.
FAQ about France Gambling sites
Gambling is legal in France and as long as a player is 18. French bettors can wager on horses, bingo, poker, casino games, and pretty much everything else under the Sun.
Gambling winnings in France are taxed. Casino winnings that exceed €1,500 are taxed at a rate of 12% that must be declared as income. Lottery winnings are now paid out in one tax-free lump sum.
If you want to gamble in France you will find various casinos available, but the best is Casino Le Lyon Vert, second Casino Deauville, and maybe Casino Barriere Enghien Les Bains.
In France, the gambling industry is around 200 casinos, but most of them are in Barrere, Partouche, and JOA. Those are known all over the world for a great gambling experience.