France Sports Betting Sites, Bookmakers and Free Bets

With over 65 million citizens, France was estimated to be the 22^nd most populous country in 2019. More than 3% of the entire population enjoy betting and other gambling activities which is quite impressive. With the upward trend of money being wagered on sports, the French population makes for a prime target for the biggest betting companies. There are lots of French gambling sites and players can choose from a variety of options – you can even find bitcoin cricket betting sites in France.

In recent years, online sports betting in France has expanded significantly, and the number of online French international gambling companies (and betting shops in France) is expected to increase in the near future. This guide explores the best betting sites in France, France betting tips, how to win on football bets, how to win at sports betting in general, and more.

Summary of the article

1History of gambling in France
2 Most Popular sports in France
3Best Sports Betting Sites and Bookmakers for France Players
4How to sign up for a real money online account at French Betting Sites
5Most common types of bets in France
6Top 5 French betting sites
7Popular Payment Methods for French Customers
8The best real money mobile apps for French players
9Live betting in France
10Online Gambling Laws and Regulations in France
11Gambling tax in France
12Sports Betting Bonuses and Free Bets for French Players
13The future of sports betting in France
14French Betting Sites Pros and Cons
15FAQ about French Betting Sites

Top 10 Betting Sites for France in 20 October 2021 – Updated List

A short History of Gambling in France

The evolution of betting in France predates written records. Gambling is an integral part of the French culture; in a like manner, the gambling industry today is also influenced by the French culture. Card games gained widespread popularity as far back as the 15^th century. By the early 17^th century, gambling cards carried the images of the reigning monarchs at the time. These card games were exclusively available to the nobles and other wealthy people.

By the 18^th century, gambling was as legal as it can get. Pari-mutuel horse betting was conceived in France; in fact, horse race betting was the first legalized form of gambling in France, so it should come as no surprise that wagering on horse races has been popular for a very long time in this country.

However, all forms of gambling were banned and players had to turn to underground gambling houses. In the early 19^th century, the restriction was lifted, and gambling was regulated. In 2001, state-owned sports betting was legalized in France, and this continued for about a decade before independent gambling sites were authorized to operate in the state.

All bookmakers in France must obtain a license, whether they are national betting sites, land-based betting companies, or even international betting sites in France, offering a touch of France football betting, is the same situation as in Spanish gambling sites and law.

Sports betting, greyhound betting, and horse race betting are the only legal forms of betting in France. Due to this, most of the biggest sports betting sites in Europe are licensed to operate in France.

Most popular sports in France

The French have many interests when it comes to the topic of sports. It should go without saying that the most widely followed and wagered sport here is soccer. Soccer is a national obsession and the focus of conversation around many water coolers.

Aside from football odds, some of the best football betting sites France can be accessed by any bettor with a mobile device and an internet connection. Punters can also access the sports via French betting apps which cover a broad range of interesting sports. France boasts some of the best sportsmen in most of the popular sports, boasting some of the best rugby, cyclists, and tennis players globally.

Football- Football can rightfully be considered the national sport in France. Boasting 2 big leagues- Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, France football betting France is a common pastime for many bettors. If you don’t understand how to make money betting on football, you just might be missing out.

Rugby – France is one of the biggest countries where rugby has a huge following. The national team is one of the best in Europe, having won the Six Nations Cup more than 15 times.

Horse racing – Some of the most prestigious horse races such as the Jockey Club race and the Arcs de Triomphe are hosted in Chantilly and Paris respectively.

Tennis – There are over 1 million licensed French tennis players, making the sports one of the most popular in France. The French Open, or the Roland-Garros, one of the biggest tennis tournaments is held yearly in Paris.

Best Sports Betting Sites and Bookmakers for France Players

Notwithstanding the rigid laws in France, the gambling market is serviced by the best bookmakers in France that we have listed below. The battle for the booming French sports gambling market is in full swing and many of the biggest and most reputable names in the bookmaking industry are making their presence felt. Bwin, William Hill, and Campeonbet, and Melbet France are among the most trusted brands that French punters are placing their action with.

French betting sites have also started to appear which accept cryptocurrencies. Domains such as CloudBet and 1xBit can often provide football betting options as well as general casino-based online betting games in France. You don’t even need to learn how to bet in France with cryptocurrencies, as these Bitcoin-accepting local bookies also accept FIAT currencies.

Before deciding to wager on your preferred sports at French bookies, it is important to play at only safe betting sites. Our experts at GamblingJudge.com have conducted thorough research and have cl\ollated a list of the best French betting companies that are worth your coins. From security to bonuses, betting options to payment methods, our experts have conducted a detailed review of all the legal betting sites in France to come up with this list. You’ll find the best bookmakers France has to offer below.

How to sign up for a real money online account

Signing up at a French bookmaker is pretty easy. So that you don’t waste time looking through the hundreds of French online betting sites on the internet, you can sign up at any of the sites on our list. The process is straightforward. Even better, we have handpicked the top 5 France sports betting online sites which you’ll find above. Now how can you make real money sports betting on these sites? Follow the steps below to find out.

Step 1

Select your preferred bookmaker and click on our link.

Step 2

You’ll be redirected to the bookmaker site where you have to click on ‘Register Now’ or ‘Sign Up

Step 3

Fill in the required fields. Make sure to provide the correct details. Take note that you have to verify your email address, as well as your identity.

Step 4

Enter an active sports bonus code, if you have one. If you don’t, proceed to the ‘Sign Up’ or ‘Finish’ tab.

Step 5

Fund your betting account by making a deposit. If the Franc is not accepted at your preferred bookmaker, select Euro as your payment option.

Step 6

Start betting on your favourite sports.

Most common types of bets in France

Despite the rigid French gambling laws, French bettors can still enjoy a broad range of bet types. To get the best out of this, we recommend that you register at a sports betting site with several betting options. Some of the most popular types of bet in France include:

Top 5 French betting sites

To make it even easier for you, our experts have further streamlined the list to include the 5 best sports betting sites France has to offer. Find them below.

Cbet– Since its establishment in 2017, Cbet has grown to become one of the most trustly betting sites globally, offering bettors unbeatable odds on sports and esports betting USA.

WilliamHill– As a highly reputable betting company in France and across the globe, William Hill offers an extensive sports market, quality odds, and value football betting. The operator boasts one of the best live streaming sites globally.

Crown Cas –CrownCas is a subsidiary of the casino of the same name. Although relatively new, the operator has made a name as one of the top sports betting companies that offer diverse sports betting options and bonuses.

ZigZag777 – This sportsbook offers both new and existing players a wide array of bonuses and promotions.

1xBit– Perhaps one of the best sportsbooks in the gambling industry, 1xbit is a German-based bookmaker that is popular for accepting players across the globe. What’s more- bitcoin is an acceptable payment method.

Popular Payment Methods for French Customers

Even if you play at the best cash-out betting sites, your winnings do not count until you can actually cash it out. Some of the important information to look out for at any betting sites France include the available banking option, processing time, and possible transaction fees.

Any French betting site worth it’s salt (like those on our list) offers players a broad range of deposit and withdrawal options. This is done in order to ensure that you enjoy a wholesome playing experience. The most popular payment methods used by French bettors include:

Credit/debit cards including MasterCard, Visa
Bank Transfer
Prepaid Cards
Mobile Payment like Apple Pay

The best real money mobile apps for French players

The gambling industry in France is flourishing and there is a high demand for intuitive mobile apps that allows players to bet conveniently and many of the top bookmakers France are doing their best to provide an optimal gambling experience by providing top-of-the-line betting apps.

So what betting apps work in France? All the mobile sports betting apps in France listed in this section have ranked higher than their contemporaries. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never placed a wager using France betting apps, these apps are easily navigable, responsive, and simple. Our top 3 picks include:

William Hill has one of the best mobile apps that is compatible with Android and ios devices.
1xbit– 1xbit bit boasts one of the best mobile apps, offering a responsive, intuitive user interface,
Cbet– Cbet offers an easily navigable mobile app that is compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows devices.

Live betting in France

Live betting is a common feature at most French sports betting sites. If you have never tried live betting, then you should check it out. Most top sports betting sites France allow bettors to wager while the match is ongoing. Unlike regular betting which uses fixed odds, the odds betting for live matches varies throughout the game.

Football is the most popular sport that is live-streamed. Other live betting options that the French enjoy include greyhound racing and horse racing. This does not mean that the option isn’t available for other sports, the live streaming option is also available for a number of sports. You can also enjoy other features like comprehensive match stats. Many of the bookmakers on our list offer the live betting option.

Online Gambling Laws and Regulations in France

Online gambling in France was legalized in May 2010 under the French Gambling Act. The major gambling authority in charge is ANJ which was created in January 2020 to replace the former authority- ARJEL. The ANJ regulated all gambling-related matters. Other regulatory bodies include the CNIL, the CSA, and the ADLC.

Under Decree 2010-483 of this law, bettors can only wager on specific sports, and leagues that have been approved by the ANJ. The revision of the French gambling laws in 2020 contributed to the expansion of the French gambling industry, as it granted international/European betting sites the opportunity to apply for a French license.

So, is betting legal in France? At the time of writing this, licensed France sports betting operators are only allowed to offer sports betting, online poker, and horse racing. However online casino games such as table games, slot machines, and card games are still prohibited in the country.

Gambling tax in France

Since January 1, 2020, winnings from sports betting have been taxed based on the game’s gross revenue, and not on the bet amount. the applicable tax for sports betting was a 33.7% tax applies to the gross revenue of the game. Online sports betting France contributes 10.6% of the gross revenue from games.

Sports Betting Bonuses and Free Bets for French Players

Tip

With France being such a lucrative sports wagering market, online bookmakers are aggressively trying to claim their share of the bounty. This means that there are plenty of really great bonuses for French punters. The surplus of sites also ensures that betting odds are competitive. Many French bookmakers want to be known for having considerably better betting odds than their rivals. Any player eager to start betting in France may wish to claim one or two of these top deals, commonly found at leading bookmakers in France and beyond.

The bonuses are not restricted to only high stakes betting. All categories of players qualify for some form of bonus or promotion. You can select from a broad range of bonuses that include welcome packages, moneyback and cashback offers, as well as other weekly bonuses and free bets. There are many more betting bonuses available for French customers and they are found at Gamblingjudge.com. These bonuses are easy to claim and simple to use. Just be sure to read and understand the terms and conditions that apply to them. Many look the same but you can be assured that there are big differences in eligibility requirements and usage.

The future of Sports Betting in France

The European gambling industry has experienced significant growth in the past decade, and the situation in France is no different. Thanks to the introduction of several international betting sites into the French betting markets. With the widespread reception of these betting sites in France, it is expected that the French government will relax the rigid laws to allow the online sports betting industry to flourish even better in the country.

French Betting Sites Pros and Cons

PROS

Online sports betting is legal in France.
Competitive betting markets

CONS

Rigid gambling laws

FAQ about French Betting Sites

Is online gambling legal in France?

Like we have mentioned previously, sports betting, horse racing, and greyhound betting are the only legal forms of online betting France permits. Online casinos and casino games like roulette are banned in France. According to the government, these games are said to be addictive.

Does France tax online gambling winnings?

Yes, a 33.7% tax is applicable to the total bets. Online sports betting in France yields 10.6% of the gross revenue from games.

What are the most popular payment methods for online betting in France?

The most popularly used banking options for online betting France include credit/debit cards, and e-wallets like Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal.

Is exchange betting legal in France?

Sadly, no. Exchange betting is illegal in France as the government considers them addictive.

Is the Euro accepted by betting sites in France?

Yes. France is part of the European Union. Many international betting sites even provide the translation of their betting sites in French to cater to French players. Put simply, the Euro is an acceptable currency at many of the French betting sites.

Our Final Say- 2021 Top French Bookmakers

We have provided you with the best French sports betting sites, France betting tips, and most recent gambling laws in this guide. All our recommended sites offer special bonuses, highly intuitive user interface, among other features. As long as you play at any of our specially handpicked bookmakers, we can confidently say one thing- it’s a decision you won’t regret.