ARJEL Q1 Results: Poker on the Slide, Sports Betting on the Rise

French iGaming regulator Autorité de Régulation des Jeux en Ligne has released their Q1, 2015 numbers, and a boost in online sports betting has resulted in a 3% increase in year-on-year gross gaming revenue.

Finally, some good news for iGaming proponents in France, as French iGaming regulator Autorité de Regulation des Jeux en Ligne (ARJEL) released Q1, 2015 numbers, showing a 3% increase in year-on-year gross gaming revenue climbing to €190m.

Gold stars were awarded to the French sports betting division. Participation increased 27% year-on-year with 202,000 accounts as opposed to 159,000. Stakes of €351m were recorded in the first quarter, a 38% rise on the €254m earned a year ago. Gross profits were up 17% to €63m, from €54m this time last year.

Football continues to dominate the sports bettors’ interest with 58% of all bets coming in that sport. Paris St Germain made the quarterfinals of the Champions League before getting their booty kicked by Barcelona 5-1 on aggregate, and one assumes that run had an impact. Tennis (18%) and basketball (13%) are the other two major sports of interest for French punters.