ANJ Adds Bet365 Licence as France Expands Betting List
The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) approved a new round of lottery products, expanded betting markets and granted an online licence to Hillside, bet365’s parent company, at its April 16 board meeting. The decisions, published on April 22, add a new operator to France’s tightly controlled market while widening the range of approved betting events.
On the lottery side, ANJ approved several updates from La Française des Jeux (FDJ). These include the 2026 edition of the “Mission Patrimoine” draw and changes to the “Jackpot” game, with adjustments to prize structure and distribution across retail and online. The regulator also authorised modifications to horse-racing products, including additional options within Quinté+ and Couplé formats.
In sports betting, ANJ expanded the list of authorised events. New additions include the United Cup in tennis, selected Japanese volleyball divisions and additional table tennis competitions. The changes increase the range of eligible markets without altering the underlying regulatory framework that defines what operators can offer.
The Hillside approval stands out as the only structural change in this round of decisions. While product updates and betting list expansions adjust the existing offer, the addition of a new operator signals that ANJ remains open to selective market entry, provided applicants meet its regulatory and compliance thresholds.
💡 TGJ Take
This is how France grows its gambling market: small, controlled approvals rather than structural reform. The addition of new betting events and tweaks to FDJ products shows a focus on optimising existing channels instead of opening new verticals. For operators, the key signal is the Hillside licence. France is not closed, but access comes through a narrow regulatory gate with clear expectations. Any brand looking at market entry needs to align with that model, not expect rapid expansion routes.
