The 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered record betting activity in France with an expanded 48-team tournament attracting more players and bets than ever before. The French regulator ANJ said the larger competition and continued market growth drove the increase.

• Online stakes reached more than EUR 1.3 billion (2024: EUR 597 million) and Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) totalled EUR 157 million (2024: EUR 70 million). Both figures were more than double the 2022 World Cup results. ANJ also said France’s progress in the tournament boosted betting activity.
• Around 3.1 million players placed almost 113 million bets through 3.8 million active accounts. One million of those accounts were opened during the tournament. Football World Cup betting attracted far more players than the 2022 edition.
• France’s semi-final against Spain generated EUR 63 million in online stakes, making it the most bet football match in France since 2010. Four other World Cup matches also entered the country’s top 10 most-bet games. The previous record was the 2022 World Cup final.
• Betting habits also changed during the tournament. Match winner bets accounted for 28% of stakes, while more players chose goalscorer, correct score and combination markets. Live betting fell to 25% of total bets.
• ANJ said most players ended the tournament with losses. Around 471,000 players lost more than EUR 100, while 217,000 won at least that amount. The regulator will continue monitoring gambling behaviour after the event.
• Operators increased their marketing budgets by 25% for 2026, with almost EUR 150 million planned for June and July. ANJ said operators followed its advertising guidance during the World Cup. “The ANJ’s guidelines and recommendations have been followed, both on the marketing part and on the rewards aspect.”
• ANJ welcomed new measures to strengthen action against illegal gambling and improve protection for players aged 18 to 25. However, it criticised the removal of the proposed whistle-to-whistle advertising ban.

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