In creating the ARJEL (Online Gaming Regulatory Authority) in 2010, France aimed to legalize a highly potential universe that had long remained illegal. The objective was to allow players to enjoy online gambling legally and enable operators eager to offer their services to the French a favorable framework to do so. However, it was also a means for the State to secure its share of a lucrative business that continues to grow with technological advances and the development of new population habits.
A decade later, the economic impact of online gaming cannot be overlooked. In fact, revenues have significantly increased. Meanwhile, the FDJ has become a publicly traded company. Nevertheless, the task remains vast because online casinos are still struggling to find a concrete legal framework in France. This article takes stock.
The Economic Boom of Online Gaming
1.4 billion euros was the revenue for the online gaming industry in France in 2019. At the forefront are sports betting, which received the majority of the stakes, with 2/3 of total bets. This is predictable, as they are the main legal and regulated gambling games in France. From 115 million euros in 2011, it rose to 472 million in 2018, and then about 930 million in 2019. Behind are horse racing bets and poker, two other online games, but less popular among the French compared to sports betting.
It should be noted that ARJEL from 2010 has now been replaced by the ANJ (National Gaming Authority), which now manages its regulatory agenda in addition to regulating physical gaming centers. But the task remains vast, considering the growing potential of online games. There is a particularly appreciated category of online games that still struggles to find a clear legal framework in France: online casinos.
A Maneuvering Space Still Unexploitable
In France, only poker is currently regulated by the ANJ as a casino game. So if you’re looking for an [online casino with a 5€ deposit](https://fr.lowdepositcasino.com/casino-depot-5-euro/) to explore the vast universe of online games, including poker, other card games, and slot machines, you’ll need to turn to offshore platforms. The good news is that many of them are regulated by specialized organizations, as long as you choose a reliable one. There are enough specialists focused on the subject to help players avoid being scammed online.
The fact is this can create a legal void in France. Indeed, many players wonder if it’s legal to play online in the country. The logical answer would be to avoid any establishment outside the ANJ framework to avoid potential inconveniences. Fortunately, there are reliable organizations that oversee these gaming houses to ensure players can play safely there.
But looking at it from the front, it is a significant loss of profit for the French State, which could benefit from the potential of casino games to restore their legality in France. Brick-and-mortar casinos are certainly controlled, but it is clear that online games are gaining more and more ground. [In Canada](https://casinosapproved.info/fr/), millions of dollars in stakes are recorded each year, and it is safe to imagine that France is also well positioned among online casino gaming-consuming countries. One thing is undeniable: casino enthusiasts would also like to play online blackjack, online baccarat, online roulette, slot machines, and other games without needing to step outside. The profiles of players are diverse, and access possibilities to online games should be as well.
The diversity of online gambling offerings is a major asset appropriated by these sites. The possibility of having more than 500 games at one’s disposal is an offer that continues to attract more and more people. Added to this are proposals of free games, gaming credits, and many other advantages that physical centers do not offer.
What About Online Video Games?
[According to the SELL](https://www.afjv.com/news/10100_chiffre-d-affaires-et-marche-du-jeu-video-en-france-en-2019.htm#:~:text=March%C3%A9%20du%20jeu%20vid%C3%A9o%20en%20France%20%3A%20chiffre%20d%27affaires%20de,du%20march%C3%A9%20fran%C3%A7ais%20pour%202019.) (Union of Leisure Software Publishers), the online video game industry generated around 1.2 billion in 2019. This is a significant share in the overall video game industry’s pot, pushing us to consider its strong potential. However, it is also time to clarify that video games do not truly constitute gambling in the strictest sense of the term. There, too, some players do not hesitate to migrate to online casinos, especially since they can combine their passion for video games with the quest for potential gains.
In Summary
Online gambling can no longer be ignored today. Economically, its impact is increasingly palpable because it directly integrates into the new habits of consumers who have become increasingly mobile. And the numbers are there to testify to this economic presence. This mobility, combined with the advancement of new technologies, paves the way for a new, more diversified, more accessible, and more engaging form of consumption. Legislation concerning the online casino universe in France remains to be done, whose breakthrough becomes more and more evident. Meanwhile, offshore authorities are doing a great job, including some European commissions, like the highly reputed UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission).
