2026 World Cup: betting soars in France 

The 2026 Football World Cup has generated unprecedented levels of betting turnover. Behind these spectacular figures, however, the authorities and operators highlight a regulated model that funds public finances and sport, but also a worrying rise in illegal platforms. 

A World Cup that’s breaking all records 

Rarely has an international competition mobilised sports betting enthusiasts to such an extent. According to data published by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), more than €1.3 billion in online bets were recorded during the tournament, compared with €597 million during the 2022 World Cup. Gross gaming revenue (GGR) also rose sharply to €157 million, more than double that of the previous tournament. 

The expansion from 32 to 48 teams brought the number of matches to 104, offering more opportunities to bet. Added to this was the particularly closely followed run of Les Bleus, who kept supporters’ interest alive right up to the semi-finals. 

No match has ever attracted so many punters since the ANJ began tracking these statistics. The France v Spain semi-final on 14 July generated €63 million in bets, surpassing the previous record held by the 2022 France v Argentina final. 

Millions of French people drawn to sports betting 

The 2026 tournament also attracted an unprecedented number of punters. The ANJ has recorded 3.1 million punters, representing 3.8 million active accounts. Of these, nearly one million accounts were opened during the tournament. 

In total, nearly 113 million bets were placed, more than double the 54 million recorded during the previous World Cup. 

Enthusiasm was particularly high for matches involving the French team. Alongside the semi-final against Spain, the France v Morocco match, the Spain v Argentina final, Paraguay v France and France v Sweden were among the most bet-on matches of the tournament. 

A regulated model that benefits public finances 

Beyond the sums wagered, industry players highlight the economic benefits of the French model. 

According to estimates by the French Online Gaming Association (AFJEL), the gross betting turnover generated during the World Cup amounted to nearly 150 million euros for licensed operators. Of this sum, nearly 100 million euros is to be redistributed to the State, the social security system and sports funding. 

The AFJEL also points out that average stakes remained below 10 euros, a level typically associated with casual punters who turned out to take part in the sporting event rather than with intensive betting. Betting patterns also changed during the competition. Bets on the outright winner of a match accounted for a smaller proportion than usual, leaving more room for bets on the exact score, goalscorers or combinations of results. 

Deliberately limited advertising 

The World Cup is traditionally a strategic period for sports betting operators. They had planned significant marketing investments ahead of the tournament. 

However, the ANJ believes that the recommendations aimed at limiting advertising pressure were generally adhered to. In particular, operators kept their budgets within the announced limits, and broadcasters chose not to sell the advertising slots scheduled during the new ‘refreshment breaks’ introduced during matches. 

According to the AFJEL, sports betting adverts accounted for less than 5 per cent of the adverts broadcast on television during the competition. At the same time, several operators ran campaigns highlighting best practice to encourage responsible gambling. 

The real cause for concern: the illegal market 

Whilst industry professionals view the figures for the regulated market as positive, another phenomenon is now capturing their full attention. 

The AFJEL estimates that more than 5 million French people currently use illegal gambling platforms. Unlike licensed operators, these sites contribute neither to the funding of sport nor to public revenue, and are not subject to the same player protection obligations. 

The 2026 World Cup has also confirmed the rise of prediction markets, which the association describes as a new gateway to unregulated gambling offerings. In light of this development, AFJEL has welcomed the recent decision by the National Gambling Authority to block access to the Polymarket platform from within France. 

AFJEL’s chairman, Nicolas Béraud, summarises the issue as follows: 

“This World Cup demonstrates that a regulated market can support a major popular event whilst protecting players and making a massive contribution to state and sports funding. With over 5 million players without any protection, the real challenge now is the explosion in illegal platforms. It is on this front that the authorities must now focus their efforts.” 

At the same time, the ANJ welcomes several measures recently adopted to step up the fight against illegal betting and improve protection for young adults aged 18 to 25. 

A record-breaking World Cup, but persistent challenges 

The 2026 World Cup will go down as a historic edition for online sports betting in France. Never before have stakes, the number of punters and the volume of bets reached such levels. 

However, behind these economic achievements, the authorities point out that the issues at stake now go beyond the sheer volume of bets. The rise of illegal platforms and prediction markets is now the main challenge identified by both the regulator and industry representatives.