The National Gaming Authority (L'Autorité Nationale des Jeux, ANJ) has published a report that summarizes the main data of the online gaming market in France during 2020, where it has registered a historic performance despite the health crisis.
The ANJ has called 2020 a turning point for online gaming, which is becoming a permanent element in the lives of the French, largely due to the digitization of gaming practices as a result of the crisis of COVID-19.
In this regard, ten years after the opening of the online gaming market to competition, the sector represents around 17% of the total market turnover, compared to 7% in 2011
The regulatory authority has reported that the sector's turnover increased by 22% in 2020 to reach € 1.7 billion, its highest level since the opening to competition. This performance contrasts sharply with those of casinos and gambling or betting points of sale, which have been hit hard by the health crisis.
Online sports betting has registered a 7% increase and is the dominant activity in the online gaming sector. More specifically, during 2020stakes on sports competitions reached € 5.3 billion, the highest amount of stakes generated in a year since the opening up to competition in 2010, despite a 56% reduction in turnover in the second quarter due to the suspension of sports competitions.
Likewise, the ANJ highlights the growth of the market in 2020, since sports betting registered an increase of one million users compared to 2019, for a total of 4.4 million.
As far as online horse racing bets are concerned, the ANJ claims they have risen 33% over 2019, totaling € 1.5 billion in stakes, which corresponds to the largest volume of bets placed online over a year. The associated gross gambling revenue grew at a rate close to the stakes (+ 31%) and set a new historical benchmark (€ 354m).
On the other hand, online poker turnover increased to 446 million euros, that is, an increase of 64% compared to 2019. According to what was published by the ANJ, the restriction measures, especially during the first confinement, have generated a renewed interest in poker. However, the average spend per player increased by only 7% in 2020.
On this balance of 2020, Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, president of the ANJ, highlighted that the increase in users in sports betting and poker, “means that operators must step up their initiatives to prevent problem gambling and protect minors. In line with the new obligations that came into force in 2020, they must better identify and assist at-risk players, provide tools for moderating play time or betting and ensure responsible promotional strategies. More than ever, and with major sporting events approaching before the summer, promoting recreational gambling must be a priority shared by all."
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