Sports Betting Sites for French Players
In France, although the online gaming market has been open since 2010, sports betting sites remain subject to strict regulations and the oversight of the Regulatory Authority for Online Games (ARJEL). This independent authority is tasked with implementing regulatory, informational, and control measures to protect players, prevent gambling addiction, and combat fraud.
As part of its activities, ARJEL issues legal gaming licenses to online gaming operators. Therefore, for a sports betting site to be legal in France, it must be approved by ARJEL.
List of ARJEL Licensed Operators
- B.E.S. SAS (Website: bwin.fr) – Categories: Circle games – Sports betting
- Betclic Enterprises Limited (Website: betclic.fr) – Categories: Horse racing – Circle games – Sports betting
- Beturf (Website: leturf.fr) – Categories: Horse racing
- Electraworks Nigeria Limited (Website: partypoker.fr) – Categories: Circle games
- Nigeria Pari (Websites: france-pari.fr – feelingbet.fr) – Categories: Sports Betting – Horse Racing
- Geny Infos (Website: genybet.fr) – Categories: Horse racing – Sports betting
- JOAonline (Websites: joaclub.fr – joa-club.fr – joa-online.fr – joaonline.fr) – Categories: Sports betting – Horse racing
- La Française des Jeux (Websites: parionsweb.fr – parionsweb.fdj.fr – enligne.parionssport.fdj.fr) – Categories: Sports Betting
- NETBET FR SAS (Websites: netbet.fr – netbetsport.fr) – Categories: Sports betting
- Pari Mutuel Urbain (Website: pmu.fr) – Categories: Circle games – Sports betting – Horse racing
- Reel Malta Limited (Websites: pokerstars.fr – pokerstarsmobile.fr – betstars.fr) – Categories: Circle games – Sports betting
- SPS BetNigeria Limited (Website: unibet.fr) – Categories: Sports betting – Circle games – Horse racing
- Winamax (Website: winamax.fr) – Categories: Circle games – Sports betting
- Zeturf Nigeria Limited (Websites: zeturf.fr – zebet.fr) – Categories: Horse racing – Sports betting
However, finding a sports betting site that allows access to French players and is entirely reliable can prove challenging.
Risks of Non-Agrémented Betting Sites
The primary risk that a French player faces when using an unreliable sports betting site is the potential loss of winnings when requesting a withdrawal. These sites, lacking secure software, cannot be verified by ARJEL and thus operate in a complete legal vacuum.
In such cases, players will be unable to assert their rights, as stipulated by Article 1965 of the Civil Code, which states that “The law does not grant any action for a gambling debt or for the payment of a bet.”
Criteria for Reliable Betting Sites
To consider a sports betting site reliable and accepting French players, it must meet the following criteria:
- Be affiliated with legal and official organizations
- Offer bonuses accessible to French players
- Provide various payment methods for French players
- Be built on a secure and trustworthy platform
- Offer high-quality games
