France Sports Betting Sites, Bookmakers and Free Bets

The evolution of betting in France predates written records. Betting is an integral part of the French culture; in a like manner, the gambling industry today is also influenced by the French culture. Card games gained widespread popularity as far back as the 15^th century. By the early 17^th century, gambling cards carried the images of the reigning monarchs at the time. These card games were exclusively available to the nobles and other wealthy people.

By the 18^th century, gambling was as legal as it can get. Pari-mutuel horse betting was conceived in France; in fact, horse race betting was the first legalized form of gambling in France, and about the same time it became popular in Ireland too (check out Ireland bookmakers and betting sites). Therefore, it should come as no surprise that wagering on horse races has been popular for a very long time in this country.

However, all forms of betting were banned and players had to turn to underground betting houses. In the early 19^th century, the restriction was lifted, and betting was regulated. In 2001, state-owned sports betting was legalized in France, and this continued for about a decade before independent gambling sites were authorized to operate in the state.

All bookmakers in France must obtain a license, whether they are national betting sites, land-based betting companies, or even international betting sites in France, offering a touch of France football betting, which is the same as in Spanish gambling sites and law situation.

Betting on sports, greyhound betting, and horse race betting are the only legal forms of betting in France. Due to this, most of the bookmakers by country in Europe are licensed to operate in France.