AFJEL: Nicolas Beraud re-elected for a third term
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2 Feb 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes At a time when the French online gaming market is facing profound upheaval, the Association Française des Jeux en Ligne (AFJEL) has opted for continuity. At its Annual General Meeting, the industry body re-elected Nicolas Beraud as its new president.
Nicolas Beraud re-elected as AFJEL Chairman
Unsurprisingly, Nicolas Beraud, founder of the Betclic group, was unanimously re-elected as AFJEL Chairman for a third term. He thus retains the confidence of all the association’s members at the end of a decisive General Meeting.
This re-election comes at a pivotal time for online gaming in France. The regulatory framework is tightening, political pressure is increasing and, at the same time, the illegal market continues to grow. Against this backdrop, the decision to reappoint Nicolas Beraud reflects a collective desire to rely on seasoned governance, capable of defending the interests of a sector that is both strategic and sensitive.
Since becoming Chairman, Nicolas Beraud has established himself as a central voice in public debates on gambling. His profile as an entrepreneur, at the head of a major digital player, gives him particular legitimacy for dialogue with the authorities while understanding the operational realities of the market.
The new AFJEL management team is not limited to this reappointment. The General Meeting also elected Cyrille Giraudat, CEO of PMU, to the position of Vice-Chairman. He will hold this position alongside Alexandre Roos, founder of WINAMAX.
This trio embodies a diversity of models and histories within the French online gaming landscape. PMU, a long-established player, coexists here with companies from the French tech sector, born and developed in the digital world. This complementarity reflects the DNA of AFJEL, which brings together both long-established operators and more recent flagships in the sector.
An increasingly demanding environment for online gaming
Nicolas Beraud’s re-election takes place in a climate that the AFJEL itself describes as demanding. The online gaming sector is facing increased regulatory pressure, reflecting major societal issues relating to player protection, the fight against addiction and the integrity of sporting competitions.
Added to these constraints is a worrying phenomenon: the continuing growth of the illegal market. Today, there are more than 5.4 million gamblers operating outside any regulated framework in France. This figure, which has risen by 35% in two years, illustrates the scale of the challenge. AFJEL has drawn up a clear roadmap for the coming years, and in particular for 2026. The fight against the illegal market is its central pillar. The association intends to make this fight a structuring cause for its action, by alerting public decision-makers to the risks of the status quo.
Another priority is to support major upcoming sporting events, including the 2026 Football World Cup. These events traditionally represent peaks in activity for online gambling operators, but also periods of heightened vigilance.
In addition to its operational priorities, AFJEL intends to strengthen dialogue with all stakeholders. This will involve formulating concrete proposals, as well as educating public decision-makers.
The association emphasises the strategic role of approved companies in key areas such as digital security and technological sovereignty. Whether long-established players or young companies from the French tech sector, these operators are helping to structure a robust ecosystem capable of competing with unregulated foreign platforms.
One thing is certain: AFJEL intends to fully play its role as the voice of the industry, defending a balanced approach based on player protection, the integrity of the sport and recognition of responsible players.