Bet365 Launches Dedicated Online Poker Room in French Regulated Market

The UK-based gambling giant bet365 has significantly bolstered its presence in the French regulated market with the official debut of its dedicated online poker suite. Launched on August 5, 2026, the new vertical operates under a license granted by the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), the national gambling regulator. This strategic milestone follows the company's initial entry into the French sports betting scene earlier in May 2026, marking a rapid expansion for the Stoke-on-Trent-based firm.

Navigating the French landscape requires both technical expertise and financial resilience. Bet365 has addressed the technical side by partnering with Playtech to integrate the well-known iPoker Network. This integration allows French players to participate in shared liquidity pools with other permitted European jurisdictions, ensuring high traffic and large tournament fields from day one.

Numbers and facts

The product range is extensive, covering Texas Hold’em and Omaha cash games, Sit & Go formats, and multi-table tournaments. A key highlight for competitive players is the weekly guaranteed tournament prize pool, which bet365 has committed to at a level exceeding €2.5 million. Additionally, the platform features fast-paced Twister games, a popular format among modern mobile users.

Christopher Kean, Poker Manager at bet365, highlighted the strategic importance of this rollout:

"France is one of the most important and attractive markets in Europe for online poker. Our ambition is to offer an experience that stands out through its quality, ease of use and breadth of offering."

He further noted that the launch is a vital step in their long-term investment strategy within the French borders, despite the competitive pressures from incumbents like Winamax and PokerStars.

Background

Operating in France is not without its challenges, particularly regarding fiscal policy. Recent adjustments have pushed the effective tax and social contribution burden on online gaming operators toward 50 percent of gross gaming revenue (GGR). This makes France one of the most heavily taxed jurisdictions in the world for gambling. Analysts are keen to see how bet365 manages these costs while competing against established domestic giants like Betclic and PMU.

The shift toward multi-vertical offerings is a global trend. By providing both sports betting and poker under one regulated umbrella, bet365 can leverage customer loyalty across different gaming styles. The use of Playtech's infrastructure provides a stable and secure environment that meets the strict standards of the ANJ, which is increasingly focused on consumer protection and preventing problem gambling.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, the expansion of a major operator like bet365 in neighboring markets serves as a reminder of the importance of regulation. While France utilizes shared liquidity for poker, Germany's Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) maintains a more restricted environment. German players must use operators whitelisted by the GGL (Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder) and adhere to strict safety measures.

These measures include the cross-provider deposit limit of €1,000 per month and mandatory participation in the LUGAS monitoring system. Seeing bet365 succeed in a high-tax environment like France reinforces the idea that reputable, licensed operators can provide a safe alternative to the illegal offshore market, even when faced with significant regulatory hurdles. German users should always verify a provider's GGL license before playing.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

The French expansion sets a precedent for how international brands handle high-tax, high-regulation environments. For other GGL-licensed operators in Germany, it demonstrates that a strong brand and a high-quality product can justify the costs of legal operation. The competition for the European player base is intensifying, and the ability to offer massive prize pools like the €2.5 million weekly guarantee in France will be a major differentiator for top-tier legal providers.