Online Casinos in France

Gambling in France – A Tradition Regulated by the State

France has a long-standing relationship with gambling, dating back centuries to the early days of lotteries and horse racing. Today, it’s home to some of the most iconic land-based casinos in Europe, such as the legendary Casino Barrière de Deauville and Casino Le Lyon Vert.

But make no mistake—gambling in France is tightly regulated, and that includes both offline and online gaming. The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), formerly known as ARJEL, is the national gambling authority responsible for licensing and oversight. Their main goal? To ensure fair play, prevent problem gambling, and protect players from shady operators.

Online Gambling in France – Legal, But Limited

Yes, online gambling is legal in France—but with strict limitations. Since the French Gambling Act of 2010, the market has been open to licensed online operators. However, the law only permits certain types of gambling activities online, namely:

• Sports Betting
• Horse Racing Bets
• Online Poker

Surprisingly, online casino games like slots, roulette, and blackjack remain prohibited under French law. This means there are no fully licensed online casinos operating from within France that offer a traditional casino game library. The government’s reasoning? Slot machines and fast-paced games are seen as too addictive.

So, Where Do French Players Go for Online Casino Games?

Despite local restrictions, many French players turn to offshore online casinos that accept international customers. These platforms operate under licenses from other jurisdictions—such as Curaçao, Malta, or Gibraltar—and offer full access to:

• Online Slots
• Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat
• Live Dealer Games
• Crash & Instant Win Games

These casinos often provide multilingual support, euro-based transactions, and mobile-friendly platforms—making them convenient and accessible for French players, even if technically operating in a legal gray zone.

Bonuses & Promotions for French Players

While locally licensed platforms in France offer modest welcome incentives (especially for poker and betting), offshore casinos go much further with their bonus offerings, including:

• Welcome Bonuses: 100% or even 200% match up to €500 or more
• Reload Bonuses: Weekly or weekend deposit offers
• Cashback: Up to 25% on net losses
• Free Spins: Popular with slot fans

Tournaments: Real-time leaderboards with cash prizes

Keep in mind that offshore bonuses often come with wagering requirements, so always read the T&Cs carefully before opting in.

What Games Are Available to French Players?

When French users join offshore casinos, they unlock a complete library of real-money casino games, including:

• Slots: From classic 3-reel to feature-rich video slots by NetEnt, Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, and Betsoft
• Table Games: European and American Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, and Poker variants
• Live Casino: Real dealers streamed in HD from studios in Europe and Asia, powered by Evolution Gaming, Ezugi, and others
• Specialty Games: Keno, scratch cards, Plinko, crash games like Aviator, and more

This variety simply isn’t available through France's regulated operators—which is why so many players choose international sites.

Payment Methods for French Players

Payment flexibility is one of the major reasons offshore casinos are popular with French players. You’ll find a wide range of options tailored to European users, including:

• Credit/Debit Cards – Visa, Mastercard
• eWallets – Skrill, Neteller, Jeton
• Prepaid Vouchers – Paysafecard, Neosurf
• Bank Transfers – Often slower, but available
• Cryptocurrencies – BTC, ETH, and USDT-friendly casinos are on the rise

These casinos typically offer low minimum deposits, fast withdrawals, and full support for EUR transactions, avoiding currency conversion issues.

Security, Regulation & Fair Play

While offshore casinos aren’t licensed by the French ANJ, many are still highly secure and responsibly managed. The most trusted ones feature:

• Valid licenses from reputable international regulators
• SSL encryption for data protection
• RNG testing and game fairness audits
• Responsible gambling tools (deposit limits, timeouts, self-exclusion)

Players are advised to stick with well-reviewed, transparent casinos, and avoid unverified platforms that lack clear licensing or payout policies.

Can You Play Online Casino Games in France?

Legally speaking, France allows online gambling—but only within a narrow framework. Sports betting and poker are supported and well-regulated, but traditional online casino games are still off the table for domestic operators.

That’s where offshore casinos step in, giving French players access to a full casino experience that includes slots, table games, and live dealers. While it’s not technically legal to play at these sites, enforcement tends to focus on the operators, not the players.

As a result, millions of French players continue to enjoy casino games online, often using VPNs and alternative payment methods for extra security and convenience.

If you decide to explore this world, remember: choose licensed, reputable platforms, play responsibly, and always read the fine print.