ARJEL reveals sports betting, online poker growth in first quarter

French regulator ARJEL has said that the country’s online gambling market experienced its largest-ever year-on-year hike in sports betting during the three months to March 31, with internet poker also up for the first time since the market was launched 2011.

Total handle from online sports betting in the country amounted to €516 million ($586.3 million) in the first quarter of the year, up 47% on the same period in 2015.

Revenue from the French online sports betting market came in at €82 million, which is an increase of 30% on the previous year, with football serving as the main source of income after contributing 58% of the overall figure.

ARJEL noted an increased in tennis betting, which grew 46% year-on-year, while rugby and basketball expanded 71% and 57%, respectively.

However, horse-racing handle was down 7% to €247 million, with earnings also falling to €66 million.

Meanwhile, the national regulatory body also announced that online poker was able to post its first year-on-year growth since the third quarter of 2011.

Internet poker revenue grew 2% to €62 million, with the regulator citing an increase in tournament fees as the main reason behind this increase.

ARJEL also said poker revenue gains were boosted by a 2% per cent drop in the number of bonus offers from licensed operators in the country.

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