Online sports betting in France shatters numerous records with its impressive performance!
The first quarter of 2017 saw a significant surge in online sports betting activity in France, according to the French Gaming Regulator ARJEL. This increase set a new record for online sports betting in the country.
The total revenue generated from online sports betting in France for the first quarter of 2017 was approximately €697.82 million, a 23% increase from €516 million in the same period of the previous year. This growth was reflected in the number of gamblers betting online, with 1.5 million people placing at least one bet, an increase of 10% compared to the previous year.
Key trends in French online sports betting for Q1 2017 included strong growth rates, a predominant male user base, and football as the most popular sport. The betting on football increased by 18% from approximately €348 million for the first quarter of 2016 to €410.4 million for the same duration in 2017.
While online poker bets decreased by 2%, the betting on tennis increased by 41% from €91.6 million to €129.5 million. The betting on basketball also saw a growth of 19%, rising from €81.6 million to €96.72 million.
Interestingly, the number of male bettors increased by 21% to 829,000, while there was a sharp 40% rise in the number of female sports bettors to 79,000. This suggests a growing participation of women in online sports betting in France.
The French online sports betting market showed significant growth in the years around 2017. The market expanded rapidly due to the legalization of online sports betting in France in 2010, with annual growth rates often exceeding 10-20% in the early years of the market's development. Online betting volume and player registrations increased notably in Q1 periods, reflecting growing adoption.
Football (soccer) remained the most popular sport for online betting in France, driven by French and international leagues, as well as major tournaments. Other popular sports included tennis, rugby, and basketball, but all trailed significantly behind football in terms of bet volume.
The continuity of football’s dominance in 2017 is consistent with long-term trends. In 2025, football continued to be the leading segment with growth in stakes and revenues linked to attractive football offerings.
In conclusion, the first quarter of 2017 marked a significant milestone in the growth of online sports betting in France, with a predominantly male user base and a strong focus on football as the primary betting sport. The increasing participation of women and the growth in betting on other sports such as tennis and basketball indicate a diversifying market.
In the first quarter of 2017, the surge in sports-betting activity in France mainly focused on football, with an 18% increase in betting volume compared to the same period in 2016. Aside from football, tennis also saw a substantial growth of 41%, while basketball betting increased by 19%. This suggests a growing interest in sports-betting beyond just football in France.
