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Bet365 Secures French Online Sports Betting Licence in 2026

France’s gambling regulator Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has authorized Bet365 to provide online sports betting services in the country. This decision was made on April 16, 2026, and was announced on April 22, 2026. It is a vital step for Bet365 to grow further in Europe.

2 minutes read
Mitchelle Morgan
M. Morgan
Casino/Slots Specialist
Chad Nagel
Sports Betting & Casino Editor

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Bet365 Secures French Online Sports Betting Licence in 2026

Bet365 Secures French Online Sports Betting Licence in 2026

The approval, under Decision No. 2026-114, grants Hillside (New Media Malta) PLC, which operates Bet365, a sports betting license with the number 0067-PS-2026-04-16-AGR-00. It is a five-year license (beginning from 16 April 2026), renewable, and non-transferable.  The license will be available on the bet365.fr website and will be limited to sports betting only.

What the License Covers

The approval is limited. France only approves four types of online gambling: lottery games by FDJ, sports betting from approved operators, horse racing bets, and online poker. Casino games are not permissible under French law. The license granted to Bet365 only covers sports betting.

Some tasks must be completed by Hillside before putting everything into action. They need to organize a storage system according to rules set by the French, submit a report showcasing compliance with the rules within six months, and provide evidence of fair gaming and security within one year of commencing operations.

France’s Regulated Market

The ANJ regulates one of the strictest betting markets in Europe. It cooperates with European and international bodies, combats illegal websites, money laundering, and ensures that licensed companies comply with safe gambling rules. [1] Regulations regarding customers’ protection, anti-money laundering, and advertising are stringent.

In Europe, France ranks third after Italy and the UK in terms of total revenue generated from the gambling market. The total revenue stood at €14.1 billion as of 2025, of which the total revenue from online gambling rose 8.5% to €2.62 billion, accounting for 18.5% of the entire gambling market. [2]

Strategic Significance

This is a new market where companies such as Betclic, Winamax, and Unibet have built strong brands and loyal customers. Now, Bet365 is moving into this market. Timing is everything, and the FIFA World Cup kicks off in June 2026 so Bet365 has the chance to pick up customers as soon as it goes live.

Bet365 to replace UEFA Champions League sponsorship with French stadium branding until 2027
International companies are very interested in getting approval in European markets. This lets them reach a larger audience and build their brand in the legal gambling space. France has a good growth potential over the long term, even with heavy regulations and high taxes.

Mitchelle Morgan
Mitchelle MorganCasino/Slots Specialist

Mitchelle is a skilled iGaming writer who is passionate about creating precise, trustworthy, and well-researched casino content. She specializes in gambling, betting, casino, and iGaming content. She has extensive experience working with leading writing agencies and gaming platforms. Her main focus is creating fact-based content across reviews, guides, and betting insights.

References

  1. 1.ANJ, The National Gambling Authority - Autorité Nationale des Jeux. anj.fr.. Accessed May 14, 2026
  2. 2.Allez France! But Tax Drags Could Stymie bet365 Cross-Channel Market Success - iGaming Future. igamingfuture.com. Accessed May 14, 2026

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