Best Betting Sites France 2025 – Complete Guide to Legal Bookmakers in France

At a glance: The top betting sites in France:

In-depth look into the best French betting sites.

And now, as promised, here is a more thorough overview of each of these French betting sites:

Tennis

France hosts one of the most important Tennis competitions in the world. The French Open, or the Roland-Garros is one of the most anticipated events in the world of Tennis. As a French reader, you probably know about it already, but what you might not know is that the event has been hosted for over 130 years. It is safe to say that with a history going back to the 19th century, Tennis is a major part of the French betting scene, be it on domestic events like the one we mentioned, or international ones, from the WTA and ITF!

Football

As popular as Tennis is in the country, it is easily overshadowed by Football. The sport has been around since the 19th century as well. In fact, the team Marseille dates back to 1897. Today, the sport is enjoyed by millions of French people, who all root for Les Bleus, or other teams. The French Football Federation is the domestic organizer of both professional events like the Ligue 1 and amateur leagues alike. There is not a single betting site which will fail to list one of these domestic French leagues, as they are enjoyed not only in the country, but also by countless bettors abroad!

Rugby

Rugby is very popular in Southern France, and is believed to have been introduced to the country by the British in the 1870s. The sport is played by the Rugby Union ruleset. Nowadays, France has a national Rugby team which competes in international events with other countries', like New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and so on in the Rugby World Cup. Domestically, the French Rugby Federation is responsible for organizing the Ligue Nationale de Rugby.

Handball

Handball is pretty popular in the country nowadays, despite a lack of a long tradition in the sport like some of the other entries in our list. In fact, it first became popular in France in the 90s. However, the French national team, which started participating in events around that time, quickly proved itself to be quite respectable. They even managed to get the gold twice in a row, in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. This has popularized the sport domestically, and it is now watched and enjoyed by many French bettors.

Basketball

Basketball might be a rather recently created sport, but it has been popular in France for well over a decade. Since it was introduced to the country in the 19th century, millions play the sport, both competitively and in amateur leagues. There are no less than 12 domestic leagues for this sport, all managed by the French Basketball Federation. Of course, betting on these leagues is very popular, and so is wagering on international competitions, like the ones hosted by the NBA.

Cycling

Finally, it will probably come as no surprise that Cycling is another one of the top sports in France. The annual hosting of the Tour de France captivates both punters and fans of the sport in the country, but also abroad. This is probably the most well-known and significant competition in the world. It has been held since 1903, with short breaks only during the World wars. Cycling has a long and interesting history in France, and it can easily be said to be a national sport at this point!

Top payment methods among bettors in France

The payment method you use with your favorite betting site might not be the best fit for you! Each method of deposit has its own unique upsides and downsides. The next section of the article is dedicated to highlighting a couple of the best methods of deposit in the country. It is our hope that by outlining the briefly for you, we can help you find the best choice for yourself:

Credit Cards

Credit cards are the go-to payment method for most French sports lovers. And they are probably the most widely accepted means of deposit to betting sites. Pretty much everyone has a credit card, and they are so ubiquitous nowadays that cashing in with them is a pretty obvious choice. The fees for doing so are very low, too, and you can expect your deposit to be processed instantly.
The main drawback for credit card payments is actually trying to cash out. This can take a bit longer than some other methods, and you might end up waiting for around a week to receive your money. Also, some betting sites in France prefer to cash you out via another payment method, so that might be inconvenient, too.

E-wallets

There are many e-wallets which are popular in France. Among them are Skrill, Neteller and PayPal. Bookies tend to accept the former two, but cashing in with PayPal to them is pretty rare. Instead, you might be able to deposit with Jeton, PayZ or another popular e-wallet.

The main draw to doing so is the added layer of security, as cashing in with the e-wallet does not reveal your banking info to the betting site. At the same time, though, it is also important to mention that there are fees for doing so. Depositing to the wallet, transacting with it and even cashing out of it can have fees, based on the particular wallet.

On the other hand, both deposits and withdrawals with e-wallets tend to be either instant, or require very little time to clear. That is why they are so often used by French punters!

Volt

Volt is a rather novel method of transacting online. It is a means of performing instant bank transfers. Volt connects your bank account to the one of whoever is receiving the transfer. This enables bank-grade safety without dealing with bank-grade waiting times! Volt deposits are also free, which is another big advantage they have.

As for their downsides, cashing out via Volt is not something which we've seen offered by any bookie in France so far. And the payment method might not be available if the betting site does not have a French bank account. But even so, we believe that open banking payments like Volt are the future of online transactions, and can recommend using them, at least to cash in!

Cryptocurrencies

Crypto was designed with a simple goal in mind: Ensuring the anonymity of its user. And so, it is perfect for the bettor who might not want to reveal too much about themself. Also, crypto is very widely accepted among French betting sites. So, you can generally expect to be able to cash in via BTC, ETH or such major coins, as well as a couple of alt coins.

Another advantage of this payment method is the fact that it usually has lower minimum deposits and higher maximum withdrawals, but there are also some notable downsides. First off, crypto is complicated, and can be complex to use. You will have to make sure you know how to perform transactions, too, because they are not reversible and any mistake can result in losing your money. There are also fees on any transaction you perform, courtesy of the crypto miner who is processing said transaction.

That said, crypto has its place in the ecosystem of payments accepted by French bookies, and there are plenty of bettors who love using it.

Prepaid card

In a survey, it was found that 13% of French respondents had used a prepaid card to transact online. This shows that prepaid cards are fairly popular in the country!

And they are a great means of cashing in to betting sites as well, because of the higher level of safety they can offer. These cards, also known as e-vouchers let you cash in without exposing any of your sensitive banking information.

They are also very easy to obtain, and can be bought either online or in physical stores. You can even use cash to get them! However, there is a bit of a downside, too.

The maximum value of these cards is usually around €100. So if you are a high-roller looking to use them to cash in, you might find another method is better for you. Also, withdrawals are simply not possible via this payment method

That said, prepaid cards like PaysafeCard and Cashlib are a great way to deposit, which is why a lot of French bookies accept them.

Tips and tricks for finding the best French bookie

If you are wondering how you can be sure a bookmaker is the best fit for you, then read on! This section is dedicated to the tips and tricks French bettors use to guarantee they are dealing with the perfect bookmaker:

• Check how well-received the bookie is: An important metric of the legitimacy of any betting site is whether other French players have any specific complaints about it. If the majority of the clients of a certain site have the same issues, it is likely that playing there will result in the same issue for you to deal with, too!
• Make sure the betting site is legitimate: Dealing with licensed bookmakers is actually a must if you wish to stay safe. So verify their license before opening an account. Also, check the legal documents. A legitimate site should offer access to its Terms and Conditions, rules about deposits, withdrawals, betting offers and so on! Transparency is what makes a good betting site excellent!
• Does the site speak French?: The majority of betting sites are operated by international entities, but if they have taken the time to translate the website to your language, that is a good sign. It means they are interested in providing a good service to players from France in particular!
• Consult the Support agents of the bookie: If you run into any issues when betting, you will most likely have to contact support to resolve them. So, make sure that the support of the betting site is quick and responsive by asking them a question about, for instance, what deposit methods are available. If they are helpful and hasty, then that is a clear sign the bookmaker values your time and takes your issues seriously!

Are the sites you can use to bet in France legal or not?

Sports betting is legal in France, thanks to the French Gambling Act of 2010. Oversight falls under two main authorities: La Française des Jeux and Pari Mutuel Urbain, which are responsible for licensing sportsbooks and making sure they stick to the rules, including tax obligations

Some specific regulations for licensed bookies include a maximum win limit, capped at 85% of the original bet. The act also outlines which types of sports or events you’re allowed to bet on through these sportsbooks. So it’s safe to say that betting is tightly regulated in France.

Offshore sportsbooks without EU approval are outlawed and are sometimes blocked from accepting French players. But as a punter, you’re not restricted from visiting or using these sites.

You’re free to explore, sign up, and place your bets. Unlike licensed bookies, these offshore platforms give you a more open betting experience. There are no win limits, and they cover all kinds of sports and events.

What are the best betting offers with French betting sites?

Betting offers are special rewards that are handed out by bookies for their loyal players, or for newcomers to the sites. French punters can get a lot of them nowadays, and this section is dedicated to explaining how they work. At the same time, we should mention that betting offers come with their own Terms and Conditions, which might restrict what you can wager on. So, it's worth keeping that in mind and always checking these conditions before claiming any particular offer!

Free bets for French bettors

Free bets captivate French sports lovers, and are probably the most common kind of betting offer which you can receive nowadays. They represent a certain amount of cash you can place in a single bet or multiple bets. The rules are simple: Winning the bet means you would get your winnings credited to your account as you normally would expect them to be. However, losing does not result in anything being taken away from your balance. Free bets are something like an insurance against losses that way!

They are most often issued to new players, but plenty of bookies in France reward players who stick around with them, too.

What are the other types of betting offers issued by French betting sites?

Now, let's take a look at a couple more betting offers you can generally find in most betting sites in France:

• Match bonuses: Offered on deposits, these promotions add a certain percentage of your cashed in sum as bonus funds to play with.
• Cashbacks: A cashback is a percentage of your losses you can get back, and usually recovers said losses on a daily or a weekly basis.
• VIP bonuses: VIP bonuses are exclusive promotions reserved for the top clients of the betting site. They offer special account perks like dedicated account managers, higher withdrawal limits and so on.

How to use betting sites responsibly: Essential tips for French bettors

One of the things we at BettiSites.cc are staunchly in favor of is making sure to promote responsible gambling. Here are a couple of important responsible gambling tips and strategies we hope you consider using when playing in your favorite French betting sites:

• Decide how much you want to bet in advance: One of the most important things to do if you wish to make sure your gambling stays fun is to set clear boundaries. And so, if you allocate the money you are comfortable with losing before each session, and stick to that, you will be betting responsibly, without chasing losses and engaging in other dangerous behavior!
• Never play with borrowed money: Another important thing to mention is that you should always play with your own money. What's more, you should not feel like all of your money can be gambled with! Decide how much you are comfortable with losing in accordance with the previous tip we mentioned!
• Watch out for changes in your mood: A sign of gambling addiction is that betting is no longer fun. Instead, you can find yourself irritable, angry and falling out with your loved ones and friends. If you notice that to be the case, you should seek help ASAP!
• Remember that you always have someone to turn to: There is always help available, and you can always recover! Taking the first step and seeking gambling therapy is often the most drastic choice you can make. But the vast, vast majority of people who have received help for their addiction have reported that they have recovered!

A short message from the author of “Best betting sites France”

Hi! As the author of the current article, I was quite impressed with the different betting sites which are available in France. Each of them was unique in its own way, and most of them were lively and vibrant.
One thing about all of the sites I have listed so far which made a particularly good impression was how easy it was for me to find the event I was looking for in each of their sportsbooks. This highlights that the different betting sites French punters have access to prioritized my, and by extension, your comfort.
So, I can confidently claim that the betting sites I checked will provide you with a very pleasant user experience!

How can I seek gambling addiction help in France?

As we mentioned, most of the people who have received help with their gambling addiction are on the track towards recovery. However, how can you seek help in France? Let's take a look:

• National gambling helpline: There is a gambling helpline open 24/7 where you can receive support from both professional counselors and volunteers. That line can be reached by dialing 09-69-39-55-12.
• Sosjoeurs.org: This is the website of the national gambling help organization in France. On it you can receive a lot of important materials on what problem gambling looks like and what you can do to seek help. Also, you can chat with someone if you need to, from the website, or even write them an email. This option is perfect if you don't want to call the helpline we mentioned.
• Self-exclusion: It is worth noting that if you are betting on a licensed site, you can use the self-exclusion measures it is required to offer. Among these measures are the ability to close down your account unilaterally, or simply put it on a time-out.

The bottom line

There are many unique and excellent betting sites in France, which we had a great time checking out. Recommending them is very easy! That said, if you did like any one of them, and wish to open an account, please keep the responsible gambling tips in mind, so that you can stay safe. Remember that betting is supposed to be fun, and have the best of luck!