Is it legal to bet on esports competitions in France?
No, it is not legal to bet on esports in France, regardless of the competition or video game. The ANJ (French Gambling Regulation Authority) remains firm and, for the time being, highlights the excessive risks of addiction among an often young audience:
This is the law that prohibits betting on e-sports competitions. [...] The earlier gambling begins, the greater the risk of developing an addiction.
Excerpt from a full article from the ANJ which provides more details on the reasons for the ban on betting on French territory.
You can always find sites online that offer you different bookmakers to bet on esports, but we strongly advise against doing so. Sites not authorized by the ANJ do not guarantee any protection. By doing so, you risk the theft of your personal data, non-refund of your winnings, and no recourse in the event of a dispute with the bookmaker.
esport betting could be legal depending where you live
Are you French-speaking but do not live in France?
Please note that if you are French but do not reside in France, esports betting may be allowed in your country of residence. You can check the country's legislation here: (content in French)
Is esports betting coming soon to France?
It's not impossible that in a few years, betting on competitions will be authorized in France. We always keep an eye on the news from the ANJ, which remains the master on board in terms of legalizing sports betting in France.
In the collective imagination, esports targets a relatively young audience, while the reality is often different. As video games have become widely democratized, video game consumers are of all ages. If we look at Twitch's average age, it's 21, and 55% of users are between 18 and 49. We wouldn't be surprised if the legislation changes in the coming years. One watchword: patience.
Where to bet in France
In the meantime, don't forget that all the following gambling are allowed in France:
Online casinos are still not legal in France.
