Overview
- An Afjel-commissioned PwC analysis estimates 5.4 million people in France used illegal gambling sites in 2025, outnumbering the 3.5 million unique players on licensed platforms tracked by ANJ in H1 2025.
- The study finds the illegal audience grew about 35% over two years, marking a sharp expansion from 2023 levels.
- PwC estimates the illegal market’s gross gaming product at €2 billion in 2025, with an annual public revenue shortfall of more than €1.2 billion.
- Afjel cites oversized bonuses, heavy social-media advertising, influencer promotions, sports sponsorships, and search manipulation as key recruitment tactics for illicit sites.
- Brand impersonation is rising, with Partouche and Barrière reporting logo spoofing and Barrière pursuing legal action, while scrutiny has intensified over PSG’s partnership with 1xBet, which is banned in France.