The Swedish gambling group has received regulatory approval to offer online poker in France, with an additional authorisation that could connect its players to shared tables across several major European markets.
Betsson has taken another important step in expanding its regulated European gambling operations after its French business secured an online poker licence from the country’s gambling regulator.
The approval gives Betsson France the right to offer online poker through betsson.fr, making the company the ninth operator listed as an authorised online poker provider in the French market.
However, the most interesting part of the decision may be what comes next.
Alongside the poker licence, France’s Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) has also approved Betsson’s participation in a shared-liquidity arrangement involving France, Spain, Italy and Portugal.
For online poker, where player liquidity directly affects the availability of games and tournament prize pools, this could be a significant competitive advantage.
Why shared liquidity matters
Unlike many online casino products, poker depends heavily on the number of players available at any given time.
A larger player pool generally means more active tables, a wider selection of stakes and tournaments, and potentially more attractive prize pools.
For operators, access to shared liquidity can therefore help make a poker platform more competitive, particularly outside peak playing hours.
France, Spain, Italy and Portugal have already established a framework for cross-border poker liquidity. Betsson’s new authorisation creates a regulatory route for its French players to participate in this arrangement.
The approval is not an automatic green light for immediate cross-border play. The relevant regulators must agree to the arrangement, and the software used for shared tables must receive the necessary approval.
Nevertheless, the decision gives Betsson a potential route into a broader European poker ecosystem.
A regulated entry into a competitive market
France is one of Europe’s most closely regulated online gambling markets. Operators must obtain specific authorisations and comply with requirements covering player protection, technical standards, data management and game integrity.
Betsson France applied for its poker licence in June 2026. The ANJ adopted the relevant decisions on 15 October, with the decisions subsequently published in France’s official journal.
The licence runs for five years from 15 October 2026 and is renewable, subject to the applicable regulatory requirements.
Before launching its poker product, Betsson must also meet technical and certification obligations. These include notifying the regulator that its data archiving system is operational and submitting certifications covering game integrity and information security.
A wider European strategy
Betsson’s move comes as operators continue to focus on regulated markets where long-term growth depends on licensing, compliance and the ability to build sustainable customer bases.
The group already holds a French online sports betting licence, obtained in 2023. The addition of poker gives its local operation another product vertical and creates an opportunity to strengthen its position in the country.
The development also highlights the importance of cross-border cooperation between European regulators.
While gambling regulation remains largely national, shared poker liquidity demonstrates how certain products can operate across borders under coordinated regulatory arrangements.
What this means for the poker market
Betsson’s approval is more than another operator receiving a licence. It reinforces the importance of liquidity as a strategic factor in European online poker.
If the cross-border arrangement becomes operational for Betsson France, the company could offer players access to a larger ecosystem than a purely domestic player pool would allow.
For the wider market, the development raises an important question: could shared liquidity become an increasingly important competitive requirement for operators seeking to grow their online poker businesses in Europe?