In order to protect gamblers from the risks of addiction and to prevent fraudulent or criminal activities, gambling has been prohibited in principle since 1836, except where express derogations have been granted on condition that public order is maintained. Gambling activities are divided into four legal categories: lotteries, sports betting, horse-race betting and casino gambling. With almost €43 billion in bets recorded in 2021, the sector is booming, driven by aggressive commercial strategies and a strong capacity for innovation in the digital world. The report published today analyses the economics of the sector, reviews the reforms carried out in 2019 and examines the limitations of the current regulatory framework in the face of changes in the gambling economy.
