An absolute record. The French gambling market reached a turnover of 12.9 billion euros last year, an increase of 20% compared to 2021 and 16.5% compared to 2019.
These figures crown the dynamism of the two monopolies, Française des Jeux (FDJ) and PMU, which generate 64% of the sector's turnover. They also testify to the return to grace of casinos, which the Covid-19 pandemic had experienced. "The growth of the market is considerable," says Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, president of the National Gaming Authority (ANJ).
"We owe it in large part to the reopening of physical points of sale." The FDJ relies on a network of more than 30,000 points of sale in more than 11,000 municipalities, making it the largest distribution network in France (ahead of La Poste). The PMU has 13,000.
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As for casinos, there are 203 in France. Forced to stop during Covid and banned from online gambling (only online poker is allowed in France), they have experienced a real return to grace. Their activity jumped 130% compared to 2021, surpassing its 2019 levels.
"Online activity is temporarily slowing down," admits Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin. But it also reaches a record level of €2.2 billion." In a context of high inflation, the regulator is concerned, for 2023, about an "intensification of the game". In recent months, 18% of players have cut back on other expenses. They hope to improve their purchasing power, "especially with lottery games."
