Results of Euro 2024 sports betting: Explosion of the illegal market

The Euro 2024 final took place this Sunday. It is time to take stock for online gaming operators. If the event aroused keen interest in France, the figures for online sports betting are disappointing.

Stable legal market

The French Online Gaming Association (AFJEL) reveals a stagnation of stakes compared to Euro 2021, i.e. an absence of growth for three years. We also observe a drop of 25% compared to the 2022 World Cup.

Far from the announced records, the total amount of stakes is 50% lower than the estimates of the National Games Authority (ANJ), which expected one billion euros.

These figures, while the French team reached the semi-final, contrast with the trend observed in other European markets. They confirm a trend already underway in 2022, with a year of no growth and a continued decline in the number of players on the legal market (-5.3% for unique players in 2023).

Explosion of the illegal market

For its part, the illegal market has exploded. For the first time since its creation in 2010, it exceeds the legal market, reaching the milestone of 4 million players in 2023, compared to 3.6 million on the regulated market.

Taking advantage of the enthusiasm for Euro 2024, online casino sites, although banned in France, also offered bets on the event, completely illegally. These platforms are not subject to any control and do not offer any protection measures for players.

AFJEL is alarmed by this situation and calls for urgent measures to halt the decline of the legal market and stem the growth of the illegal market. The association calls in particular for a strengthening of the fight against illegal betting sites and better information for players on the risks incurred by betting on unregulated platforms.

Major issues for the protection of players and the future of online games in France, these questions should be the subject of an in-depth public debate in the coming months.