France cracks down on illegal gambling as youth betting surges past 40%
French authorities have shut down more than 1,200 illegal gambling platforms in the past two years. The crackdown comes as concerns grow over rising youth gambling and the expansion of unregulated betting sites. New figures reveal that 42.6% of adolescents aged 15 to 17 have gambled in the last year, up from 34.8% in 2021.
A nationwide survey of 5,000 people, conducted by the Association for Research and Prevention of Excessive Gambling (ARPEJ), highlighted the scale of the problem. Among minors, scratch cards were the most popular form of gambling, with 34.3% of respondents admitting to playing them. Boys reported higher participation rates than girls, at 45.5% compared to 39.6%.
The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), France's gambling regulator, has worked with internet providers to block illegal sites under the Plan de lutte contre les sites illégaux de jeux d'argent. Despite these efforts, an estimated 5.4 million French residents still use unregulated platforms—a 35% increase since 2024. Unlike licensed operators, these sites bypass age checks, identity verification, and advertising restrictions.
Licensed online gambling firms, represented by L'Association Française du Jeu en Ligne (AFJEL), have pushed for stricter enforcement. They argue that legal platforms enforce strict controls to prevent underage access. AFJEL's proposed solutions include faster website blocking, tighter social media oversight, and bans on black-market promotions in app stores.
The ANJ and industry groups continue to target illegal gambling operations, but the rise in youth participation remains a key challenge. With unregulated sites still attracting millions of users, regulators and licensed operators are calling for stronger measures to curb access and enforcement gaps.
