AFJEL-IN France 2025 report: The online gambling economy

Long perceived as mere digital entertainment, online gambling is now emerging as a key player in the French economy. The latest AFJEL report, produced in conjunction with IN France, reveals a striking reality: behind the screens, a real fiscal and social engine is powering the territories.

A sector at the crossroads of the digital and real economies

Since the market was opened up in 2010, online gaming companies have become pillars of the French digital economy. The members of AFJEL – including Betclic, Winamax, PMU and PokerStars – are expected to post cumulative sales of €3 billion by 2023. These operators are rooted in their local areas, directly supporting thousands of jobs and contributing to local economic vitality. From Lille to Bordeaux, Lyon to Rennes, their locations extend beyond the Paris region: almost half of all jobs (49%) are located outside the Paris region.

The figures in the study speak for themselves:

• 4.36 billion euros of total economic impact,
• 3 billion from Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR),
• 1.16 billion euros spent with French suppliers,
• 194 million euros generated by household consumption.

These figures, taken from public sources such as INSEE and Eurostat, confirm that 81% of supplier spending goes directly to companies registered in France. In other words, online gaming feeds the local economy, supports local businesses and stimulates national production.

A source of stable, skilled jobs

Far from the clichés of the virtual sector, online gaming has become a source of sustainable employment. In 2023, AFJEL member companies supported 11,210 full-time equivalent jobs, broken down as follows:

• 1,974 direct jobs,
• 7,634 indirect jobs,
• 1,602 induced jobs linked to consumption.

The sector employs a large number of people in the digital, data and cybersecurity sectors, as well as in marketing and customer relations. At the same time, €155 million of payroll was injected into the national economy, strengthening the local economic fabric.

Record tax revenue for the nation

While the online gaming industry is profitable, it is above all a massive taxpayer. In 2023, €1.65 billion was paid into the public purse. The tax rate is 60% of sales, 17 times higher than the average for French companies (estimated at 3.5%). This level of taxation makes the sector one of the most heavily taxed in Europe.

By way of comparison, the main European countries apply tax rates on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) that are 3 to 10 points lower than those in France. But far from hindering its development, this tax system feeds a virtuous model: €110 million in taxes are allocated to the public funding of sport, plus another €45 million in sponsorship and partnerships.

A regulated and responsible market

Far from being a grey area, the French online gaming market is one of the most strictly regulated in Europe. Under the permanent control of the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), licensed operators must:

• guarantee the protection of minors and prohibited players,
• respect a ceiling on the rate of return to players,
• submit their marketing campaigns for validation each year.

AFJEL and its members go even further by signing internal charters of good practice, focusing on the prevention of excessive gambling and the fight against fraud. This rigorous approach helps to build a secure, traceable and transparent gambling environment, while keeping the risks of the illegal market at bay.

Innovation at the heart of the model 

AFJEL operators do more than simply run entertainment platforms: they are leading technology companies. Their business relies on advanced digital infrastructures capable of guaranteeing data security, transaction traceability and the prevention of risky behaviour. This positioning makes France a European leader in the digital regulation of gaming, while consolidating user confidence.

A lever for France’s future

The territorial impact report by AFJEL and IN France leaves no room for doubt: online gambling is much more than a digital leisure activity. With an economic impact of more than €4 billion, an exceptional tax system and more than 11,000 jobs supported, this sector is a major driver of economic development in France.At a time when France is seeking to combine digital sovereignty with social responsibility, online gaming demonstrates that a model based on innovation, transparency and public contribution can be not only viable, but exemplary.