Illegal online gambling is booming in France. In 2025, more than 5.4 million players were tempted by unauthorised virtual casinos, often without even knowing they were breaking the law.
A silent explosion in illegal gambling
Roulette, blackjack, slot machines and virtual betting: illegal online casinos have never attracted so many French people. According to the AFJEL (Association française des jeux en ligne) 2025 barometer, revealed exclusively in Le Parisien, 5.4 million players now visit these platforms every month. This staggering figure, up 35% in two years, confirms the growing power of a parallel market estimated at €2 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR).
Nicolas Béraud, Chairman of AFJEL:
“This 35% explosion in two years is linked to the growing difficulty of blocking these popular casinos, because we woke up a little late to the fact that these sites and applications are easy to find on the Internet and in app stores.”
Based abroad, often in tax havens, these virtual casinos thrive in a legal vacuum in France. In Europe, only France, along with Cyprus, still completely bans online casinos. As a result, more than 500 illegal platforms operate in France, more than half of them dedicated to casino games.
Their marketing is formidable. Targeted advertising on social networks, influencers boasting about their winnings, promotional codes broadcast on Telegram… all of this contributes to trivialising a practice that is nonetheless prohibited. According to the AFJEL study, 82% of players are unaware that they are playing illegally.
Emmanuel Benoit, Director General of the Association de recherche et de prévention des excès du jeu:
“These casinos are set up in tax havens with no real legislation, and the illegal operators take no account of the risks of excessive gambling.”
A health and social disaster
Behind the glittering lights of these platforms lies a collective tragedy. The study reveals that 62% of players on the illegal market show signs of addiction. That’s more than 3 million French people in a situation of addiction, often without any support or prevention framework. This phenomenon is amplified by the solitude and ease of access: a simple smartphone is all it takes to gamble day and night, without limits or control.
Beyond addiction, the threat extends to the digital domain. 70% of gamblers aware of playing on illegal sites have fallen victim to scams, hacking or data theft. Illegal platforms, often hosted in opaque areas, also serve as vectors for cybercriminals.
Stories abound: bank accounts siphoned off, identities stolen, data sold on the dark web. And with no possibility of recourse.
A drain on public finances
The State has not been spared. According to the AFJEL 2025 report, €1.2 billion escapes the taxman’s grasp every year – an increase of 30% compared with 2023. A considerable windfall for a public budget that is already under strain.
Some responses, but still too timid
The authorities have not completely given up. Since 2022, the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) has strengthened its means of action: 1,337 sites were blocked in 2024, and an additional 1,000 since January 2025.
However, the recent dismantling of the Cresus casino network marked a turning point. Thanks to better coordination between the ANJ, the judicial police and the courts, dozens of bank accounts have been frozen and several influencers prosecuted.
Nicolas Béraud:
“We still lack the resources to block all the sites, prosecute the managers and, above all, disable the payment methods. That would put the brakes on the development of these casinos.”
A regulatory challenge for France
Why is France still such fertile ground for these sites? Largely because of a legal vacuum. Unlike poker or sports betting, online casinos are simply not regulated. The government had envisaged a regulated opening in 2024, but pressure from physical casinos put an end to the project.
But the issue is back on the table. Some experts believe that partial legalisation, combined with strict supervision, could reduce the appeal of the black market while generating tax revenue.
Faced with the scale of the problem, the government, operators and associations all agree on one thing: we need to act, and fast. The scourge of illegal gambling now affects all social classes and all ages, and has even infiltrated the family sphere. AFJEL is calling for collective action, combining digital education, addiction prevention and closer cooperation with the Web giants.