Connect with us

Latest News

ANJ: Summary of the Online gambling market in 2020: historic performance despite the health crisis

Published

on

ANJ: Summary of the Online gambling market in 2020: historic performance despite the health crisis
ANJ: Summary of the Online gambling market in 2020: historic performance despite the health crisisReading Time: 4 minutes

 

Ten years after the market was opened in 2010, the year 2020 is a turning point for online gambling, which is becoming a permanent fixture in French people’s lives. Because of the acceleration of the digitisation of gambling practices favoured by the health crisis and the arrival of new players, online sports betting, horse racing and poker have recorded historic performances. The sector’s turnover rose 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: increased recruitment of new players and rising average spend

With an increase in turnover of “only” 7%, the online sports betting market remains by far the dominant activity in the online gambling sector. In 2020, stakes on sports competitions reached €5.3 billion, the highest amount of stakes generated in a year since the opening up to competition in 2010. At the same time, the population of sports bettors continues to grow, with more than one million additional players over the year compared to 2019, representing 4.4 million sports betting players.

After a second quarter in which activity was down (-56% of turnover), the situation of the sports betting market was reversed in the second half of the year with the resumption of sports competitions.

On the other hand, the sports betting segment recorded a pronounced drop in activity at points of sale. The FDJ reports a 10% drop in sports betting stakes across all channels (online and in points of sale).

Bettors’ enthusiasm was focused on major sporting events such as the Champions League in football, which recorded a 65% increase in stakes compared to 2019, or the French Open, which generated €107 million in stakes, the highest amount ever for a Grand Slam tournament.

 

Online horse racing betting: continued growth and record of stakes levels

Online horse racing betting grew strongly, recording a 33% increase over 2019, and totalizing €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).

This growth is being driven by the recruitment of new players (+5% of players in 2020), which undoubtedly reflects the transfer of a certain number of players who used to bet at points of sale to online horse racing betting.

PMU, whose point-of-sale games generally account for almost 90% of its domestic results, has reported a 15% loss of turnover in this channel.

 

Online poker: a windfall effect of lockdowns that seems to last

Online poker turnover for this year leapt by to €446 million (+64% on 2019), which is a new record-breaking activity erasing the previous benchmark of 2011, the first full year of the market opening.

The lockdowns measures (and more particularly those relating to the first lockdown) have indeed led to a renewed interest in poker. Online poker benefits from the significant recruitment of new players in 2020, which it intends to capitalise on, through loyalty actions, in order to maintain a high level of activity for the coming year. However, this attractiveness does not seem to have been accompanied by an uncontrolled increase in excessive gambling insofar as the average expenditure per player increased by “only” 7% in 2020.

Synthesis of 2020 activity data

 
Q4 2019
Q4 2020
Variation
2019
2020
Variation
Sports betting
Actives player accounts
1 917 000
2 402 000
+ 25%
3 443 000
4 478 000
+ 30%
Bets
1 500 m€
2 004 m€
+ 34%
5 056 m€
5 352 m€
+ 6%
Gross Gambling Revenue
230 m€
356 m€
+ 55%
880 m€
940 m€
+ 7%
Horse racing betting
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actives player accounts
333 000
388 000
+ 16%
599 000
628 000
+ 5%
Bets 
294 m€
448 m€
+ 53%
1 106 m€
1 473 m€
+ 33%
Gross Gambling Revenue
72 m€
105 m€
+ 47%
271 m€
354 m€
+ 31%
Poker
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actives player accounts
709 000
991 000
+ 40%
1 199 000
1 840 000
+ 53%
Gross Gambling Revenue
76 m€
117 m€
+ 54%
272 m€
446 m€
+ 64%
TOTAL
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actives player accounts
2 436 000
3 037 000
+ 25%
4 174 000
4 891 000
+ 17%
Gross Gambling Revenue
377 m€
578 m€
+ 53%
1 423 m€
1 740 m€
+ 22%

 

10 years after the opening up to competition, what has been achieved?

Ten years after the opening up of the online gambling market to competition, the sector of activity, driven by a dynamic and continuous growth, now represents around 17% of the total market turnover, compared to 7% in 2011. In total, the number of players has more than doubled between 2011 and 2020 while the Gross Gambling Revenue has almost tripled over the period, propelled by sports betting (+717%), the growth of poker (+42%) and horse betting (+46%).

The year 2020 seems to represent a turning point for the online gambling sector, which is no longer marginal and is driven by a rapid dynamic.

For Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, Chairwoman of the ANJ: “The good health of the online gambling sector, due in particular to the massive arrival of new players 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. “

 

Methodological reminder

This quarterly report was compiled on the basis of data transmitted by licensed online gambling and betting operators on a weekly or quarterly basis. The ANJ’s communications take into account statistical confidentiality. It may not publish information relating to the activity of the monopoly markets (FDJ and PMU) other than that already disclosed by the operators under exclusive rights.

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Latest News

DATA.BET Exhibits at ICE Barcelona 2026

Published

on

The company unveils new features and reinforces its focus on casino operators

DATA.BET, a leading sportsbook solution supplier, attends ICE Barcelona 2026 from January 19 to 21, presenting its latest product developments at stand 5G31. Visitors can explore expanded capabilities and recent enhancements, including the newly launched Bet Boost and Picture-in-Picture tools.

Next year, DATA.BET presents its portfolio under the slogan  “Betting That Works.” The focus of this approach is to deliver technology that works seamlessly from the moment it is integrated, operating without interruptions. The core priority includes ease of use, flexible customization, growing performance metrics and ongoing technical support from a dedicated team.

At ICE 2026, DATA.BET will highlight a solution for casino operators by demonstrating how adding a sportsbook can enhance user engagement, prolong player activity, and generate new revenue streams. The plug-and-play Single Page Application (iFrame) enables operators to integrate a customizable, SEO-optimized sportsbook around one week, adapted to specific brand designs, promotions, and user flows.

As part of its presence at the exhibition, DATA.BET will run two prize activities at stand 5G31 on January 19–20, giving attendees the chance to win an iPhone 17 Pro. Visitors can participate in one of two ways: by joining the Business Card Lottery, visiting the booth, meeting the team, and leaving a business card, or by taking part in an interactive cosplay challenge featuring DATA.BET cosplayers inspired by iconic characters from the world’s most popular esports titles are taking photos with them and sharing them on LinkedIn. The winners of both activities will be announced at the DATA.BET stands on January 20, in the afternoon.

Otto Bonning, Head of Sales, stated, “At ICE Barcelona, we aim to demonstrate to operators that betting products can be both simple and effective. One primary focus will also be to openly discuss our performance and showcase the numbers that indicate why some of the industry’s leading brands are today using our services. We will cover topics such as delivered margins, the importance of risk management, our SPA (iFrame) capabilities, and new features ready for implementation”.

The post DATA.BET Exhibits at ICE Barcelona 2026 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Arena Racing Company awarded United Arab Emirates Gaming-Related Vendor License

Published

on

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has been granted a Gaming-Related Vendor license from the United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Authority (GCGRA), an independent entity of the UAE Federal Government with exclusive jurisdiction to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming activities.

The license, operational with immediate effect, affords ARC the opportunity to provide its products and services to licensed operators in the region. Notably, the Racing1 Markets service, an all-in-one horse and greyhound racing solution delivered in conjunction with Racing1 alliance media rights partners at 1/ST CONTENT, Racecourse Media Group (RMG), and Tabcorp, alongside technical partner Pythia Sports. ARC has been added to the list of licensed vendors as per the GCGRA website.

Jack Whitaker, Commercial Manager at ARC, said: “Obtaining this license is a great achievement for ARC and its Racing1 partners. The emerging regulated UAE market is incredibly exciting, and we look forward to showcasing our innovative products and services in the region.”

The post Arena Racing Company awarded United Arab Emirates Gaming-Related Vendor License appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Continue Reading

Latest News

SOFTSWISS 2025: 45% Game Portfolio Growth, LatAm Extensive Expansion and Flagship iGaming Trends Report

Published

on

SOFTSWISS, an international iGaming technology provider with over 15 years of experience, closed 2025 with a series of key milestones, including the release of the fourth edition of its flagship iGaming Trends Report, the first industry trends conference, and a 45% expansion of its iGaming content portfolio across 24 regulated jurisdictions.

Certified Market Expansion and Industry Leadership 

Following certifications in Africa, SOFTSWISS secured full certification in Brazil, one of the world’s largest newly regulated iGaming markets, and expanded its presence in Europe. The company also renewed its partnership with Formula 1 legend Rubens Barrichello, Non-Executive Director in Latin America, entering the second year of collaboration focused on strengthening brand credibility and regional market presence.

The year concluded at SiGMA Central Europe 2025, marking the culmination of the SOFTSWISS content-driven strategy. The event combined the launch of the 4th edition of the flagship 2026 iGaming Trends Report, based on expert insights, AI-driven analysis, and independent research by Kantar, as well as the company’s first four-hour conference, ‘iGaming Trends Marathon’, featuring keynotes and panel discussions, and a three-day live assembly of an Alfa Romeo 4C, which was presented to partner Lottu, reinforcing SOFTSWISS’ partner-first growth model.

Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, comments: 2025 has been a year of global expansion and strengthened market presence for SOFTSWISS as a trusted technology partner, delivering reliable, regulation-ready solutions across Europe, Africa, and Latin America. I am proud that today we provide compliant technology across 14 regulated markets, fully compliant with local requirements and maintaining 100% technical stability for our partners.”

Product Maturity and Technical Performance

The SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator has strengthened its position as a reliable iGaming content hub, delivering high-quality games from in-demand studios and now featuring over 40,000 active games from more than 300 providers. With 99.999% uptime, it expanded availability in new markets, including Brazil and Peru. With over 600 clients worldwide, the solution remains a trusted engine for casino growth.

The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook continued to scale as a platform-agnostic and mobile-first solution. In 2025, the platform expanded its bonus mechanics, added new gamification features, and introduced additional content verticals to support a wider range of betting strategies. SOFTSWISS launched its first Sportsbook Network Jackpot with a €35,000 initial pool, awarding over €80,000 to the first winner.

Operators benefit from fast rollout on any casino platform and strong risk and retention support. With the Sportsbook setup times as short as 14 days, its partners are well-positioned to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Jackpot Aggregator celebrated a record Prime Network Jackpot win of 1,400,000 euro and several product advancements. New features include paid participation campaigns, customisable jackpot widgets, and enhanced drops and multi-prize mechanics, providing operators with more efficient tools to engage and retain players. As a result, operators launched over 500 jackpot campaigns in 2025, generating more than 70,000 jackpot hits.

The SOFTSWISS Casino Platform marked its 12th year with strong client satisfaction, achieving a score of 8.3 out of 10, according to Kantar research. Focused upgrades in stability, management, and compliance further strengthened its role as a reliable software for online casino operations.

Affilka by SOFTSWISS continued its upward trajectory, surpassing 500,000 affiliate accounts and 122 million registered players. New features, including advanced click analytics, API-based campaign tools, and a sub-affiliate revenue share model, further support operators seeking more efficient and data-driven affiliate programmes

New Markets & Compliance 

Throughout the year, SOFTSWISS maintained a strong industry presence, participating in 50+ events, delivering 27 public speaking sessions, and receiving 28 industry awards across Europe, Latin America, Africa, and South Asia for its product portfolio, marketing execution, and individual professional achievements. Together, these results reinforce SOFTSWISS’ position as a reliable, regulation-ready technology partner with proven scale and long-term relevance across global markets.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 40,00 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

The post SOFTSWISS 2025: 45% Game Portfolio Growth, LatAm Extensive Expansion and Flagship iGaming Trends Report appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Continue Reading

Trending

EEGaming.org is part of HIPTHER, parent brand of various prominent news outlets and international conferences. These platforms and events span a wide range of industries, including Entertainment, Technology, Gaming and Gambling, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Quantum Technology, Legal Cannabis, Health and Lifestyle, VR/AR, eSports, and several others. This indicates that EEGaming.org is part of a larger network that focuses on a diverse array of sectors, particularly those related to cutting-edge technology and modern lifestyle trends.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 HIPTHER. All Rights Reserved. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania

We are constantly showing banners about important news regarding events and product launches. Please turn AdBlock off in order to see these areas.