Betsson Wins French Poker Approval for Playtech iPoker Launch
The ANJ authorization makes Betsson France’s ninth online poker operator and permits international liquidity sharing
- The ANJ approved Betsson’s French online poker business on Oct. 15.
- Betsson’s French customers will play through Playtech’s iPoker network with approved international liquidity sharing.
- The operator said poker builds on its French sportsbook presence and the current regulated market.
- Playtech previously signed French poker partnerships with FDJ and PMU.
Betsson has received approval to launch online poker in France, becoming the ninth operator authorized to offer the product in the country. France’s Autorité Nationale des Jeux approved Betsson’s French business on Oct. 15, allowing it to offer poker and share liquidity internationally.
French customers will use Playtech’s iPoker network, which has been approved for liquidity sharing. Nadir Ounissi, partner of Betsson France, called the poker licence an important milestone and said the company aimed to use Playtech’s established platform to provide an experience centered on quality, customer service and responsible gaming.
The move adds poker to Betsson’s existing French presence. The company received an ANJ licence for its flagship sportsbook brand in September 2023 through a joint venture with a local partner, and its sportsbook product launched in the third quarter of 2024 through a venture involving Ounissi.
Betsson said the poker launch is intended to build on that sportsbook foothold, its own poker experience and Playtech’s iPoker product. It also stressed that its decision was based on the French poker market as it currently stands, rather than on an anticipated expansion of the country’s regulated gambling offering.
Any such expansion is for French lawmakers to decide, Betsson said. The company said it would continue working with the ANJ and develop its French business under the current regulatory framework.
Playtech has already expanded its French poker supply arrangements in recent years. La Française des Jeux joined Playtech’s iPoker.EU Network in 2023, followed by Pari Mutuel Urbain in February 2025. Both Playtech partnerships covered poker network services and content, including cash games, tournaments and Twister Poker.
