Bet365 is preparing to enter France in the coming months, reportedly, after not seeking a licence when online sports betting, poker and horse racing were regulated in 2010. The planned entry has not been confirmed by a licensing decision; the report says the company is considering the market ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A French entry would add a major operator to the market, but Bet365’s launch and licence remain unconfirmed.
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France’s ANJ reiterated on 7 July 2026 that betting on esports competitions is prohibited in France, as Paris hosts the Esports World Cup from 6 July to 23 August. The authority said sites offering such bets from France are illegal and lack player safeguards; it reported blocking access to 1,290 illegal gambling sites or related advertisements in 2025.
Gambling regulators from Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Switzerland issued a joint warning about unlicensed prediction-market platforms during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They said they would strengthen cross-border monitoring and, where needed, act against platforms that breach national gambling rules. The statement cited concerns including weak age and identity checks, potential fraud and gambling-related harm.
The KSA approved the first eight five-year renewals for online gambling operators in the Netherlands, allowing them to operate from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2031, according to the report. The named brands include TOTO, Holland Casino Online, Kansino, Bet365, GG Poker and Betcity. The report also says the KSA extended Lotto B.V.'s lottery and sports betting monopolies for five years while a related appeal remains pending.
Alberta's iGaming Corp added Betway Canada to the province's operating-platform list on 28 September, bringing its sportsbook and online casino to the regulated market. The announcement also listed Apollo Entertainment's Golden Tiger Casino; more than 30 platforms were active in the market, according to the report.
Gibraltar is pursuing a regulatory framework for prediction markets as its online gaming industry faces higher costs and restructuring, according to the account of comments by Gaming Commissioner Andrew Lyman. ADI Predictstreet was the first company authorised under the scheme; the report also cites planned UK tax increases and job cuts announced by several companies.