France Faces Challenges in Legal Betting Market During Euro 2024
The Association Française du Jeu en Ligne (AFJEL) has released a report highlighting the performance of France’s legal betting market during the Euro 2024. The findings indicate mixed results, suggesting that the country may be struggling to combat illegal gambling activities.
Stagnation and Decline in Betting Activity
The report reveals that betting volumes during Euro 2024 were stagnant compared to Euro 2021, showing no growth over three years.
Furthermore, total bets were 25% lower than those placed during the 2022 World Cup, and 50% lower than the estimates forecasted by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), which had anticipated up to EUR 1 billion in bets.
These concerning figures were recorded despite France’s national team reaching the semi-finals of the tournament.
Comparison with Other European Markets
Contrary to France’s performance, other European markets experienced a spike in betting activity during the Euro 2024.
This discrepancy raises questions about the effectiveness of France’s regulatory measures and market dynamics.
Shift to Illegal Gambling
The declining numbers in the legal wagering market appear to reflect a significant shift of players towards illegal gambling operators. In 2023, there was a 5.3% decline in the total number of players participating in legal betting, indicating lower channelization rates.
Many French gamblers are opting for black market operators, which offer none of the safeguards provided by licensed companies, thus increasing the risk of gambling harm.
Growth of the Black Market
The AFJEL report highlights the rapid growth of the illegal gambling market in France. For the first time, the black market has surpassed the legal market.
This growth is partly attributed to France’s restrictive approach to betting, allowing only a few ANJ-approved websites to offer online bets.
In contrast, illegal online casino websites have capitalized on events like the Euro 2024 to attract a large number of players.
Regulatory Challenges
The ANJ is facing significant challenges in controlling the illegal gambling market. Despite efforts to reduce problem gambling rates, the market continues to stagnate.
The rapid expansion of illegal gambling indicates that current regulatory measures may not be sufficient to address the evolving landscape.
