France: €800m for online sport betting in 2010
Pascale Paoli Lebailly
13-10-2009

Online sports betting in France is estimated to be worth €800m next year after liberalization becomes effective in summer 2010, in time for the Soccer World Cup, according to figures released at Monaco’s Sportel. Ten operators should share 80% of these revenues, that are forecast to rise to €1.4 bn in 2011 and €1.8 bn in 2012.

The study also forecasts extremely important advertising investments in the first two years from operators themselves, especially through sponsorship operations into sport and media.

The profile of users of online sport betting websites include first the 900,000 French players already betting on illegal websites, as well as new players among people between 18 and 45 years-old.

This study was realeased while French Deputies yesterday gave the go ahead to the opening to competition of online poker and sport betting. French Senators should vote next January.