€1.3 Billion Staked As French Betting Booms

Total stakes exceeded €1.3 billion, generating €157 million in gross gaming revenue, even more than double the figures for 2022 (€597 million and €70 million).

The surge came from the expanded 48-team, 104-match format, the growth of online betting, and France’s progress to the semi-finals, where they were defeated by Spain. Some 3.8 million active accounts placed almost 113 million bets, making a 40% increase from 2022, with around 1 million new accounts being opened during the tournament.

The France/Spain semi-final on July 14 attracted €63 million in bets, the highest amount for a World Cup match since 2010, and surpassing the €51 million wagered on the 2022 final. Other big matches:

• France/Morocco — €46 million

• Spain/Argentina — €38 million

• Paraguay/France — €35 million

• France/Sweden — €33 million

Betting patterns shifted significantly. Match‑winner bets accounted for just 28% of stakes, compared to over 45% during the regular season. Punters preferred goalscorer, exact‑score and combination markets. Live betting accounted for just 25% of activity, down from the usual 40%, partly due to late kick-offs.

Seizing the recruitment opportunity, operators raised their marketing budgets by 25% for 2026, spending nearly €150 million in June/July, mostly on TV. The ANJ urged them to respect spending caps and avoid oversaturation, a plea that was largely followed, with M6 and BeIN Sports even refusing to sell cooling-break slots to betting firms.

Public reaction was positive. 42% of those surveyed found the restraint necessary, and 35% effective, with a higher proportion of bettors approving. The regulator is now studying possible updates to the 2022 voluntary charter with publishers and ad networks, with the aim of refining the rules for future major events.