French government approves gambling tax hikes in social security shake-up
Senators back amendments to Social Security Code which include increases for online casino, lottery and sports betting
The French Senate has approved amendments to the country’s Social Security Code, which include significant tax increases for the gambling industry.
The amendments were tabled by Senator Elisabeth Doineau, with the changes impacting the 2025 Social Security Financing Bill first introduced in October 2024.
Under the amendments, the lottery games levy will jump from 6.2% to 7.2%.
As for sports betting, the tax rate for in-person wagering will climb from 6.6% to 7.6%.
Online sports betting will be the vertical most affected by the amendments, with its tax rate rocketing from 10.6% to 15%.
Horseracing will not be affected by the tax increases – a decision taken, according to the bill, “so as not to undermine the financial balance of the horseracing industry, which contributes to the economic dynamism of rural areas”.
Doineau said the amendments to the bill were introduced “in order to prevent the risk of excessive and pathological gambling, particularly among young people”.
“Gambling addiction varies depending on the type of game: it is thus stronger for sports betting and slot machines, which are well integrated into the system that I propose, and less pronounced for other casino games, scratch cards and draw games.
“Nevertheless, it seems important to make all of these sectors contribute to the strengthening of taxation on games of chance and gambling,” she added.
The French government first drew up a framework for online casino legislation on 19 October, proposing that the sector would have a 55.6% tax rate for operators.
The large levy was seen as a means of driving funds back towards the state, particularly in the public health sector.
Within the same month, President Emmanuel Macron’s administration appeared to pull back on its initial plans for the online casino industry.
During an interview with French radio station Radio J, Laurent Saint-Martin, France’s budget minster, suggested that more work needed to be done before any plans could be finalised.