The Story of Gambling in France: From Early Middle Ages to the Mid-18th Century

Gambling has always had a deep-rooted connection to French, stretching back to the days of ancient Rome. When the Romans ruled over central and southern Europe, games of chance were already a popular form of entertainment. Even after the fall of the empire, the French kept their love for betting alive. 

By the late 5th century, in the newly formed Frankish Kingdom, gambling wasn’t just common — it was everywhere.

People wagered on the streets, played dice and card games in public spaces, and all without any fear of punishment from the authorities. There were no rules, and betting was just another part of daily life.

But as the first millennium approached, things started to shift, and the once-thriving gambling culture began to face challenges. 

Five Centuries of Gambling Suppression

For over 500 years, from the High Middle Ages to the reign of Louis XIV, gambling in France hit a serious slump. Between the 11th and 17th centuries, most forms of gambling were banned. The church held massive political influence and deemed gambling immoral. 

The first official ban on gambling came in 1254 under King Louis IX. This prohibition was renewed several times over the centuries

There was one monarch, however, who attempted to go against the grain — Francis I. In 1539, he tried to legalize gambling by introducing a national lottery, which was to be run by a private contractor in exchange for paying an annual tax to the royal treasury. 

Francis I

This lottery was set to be called Blanque (meaning “white” in French), but the Paris Parliament vetoed the plan.

While gambling was far from legal, the underground scene thrived, especially among the aristocracy. And then came the liberator — Louis XIV was the first monarch to fully embrace this French passion for gambling. In 1660, the first royal lottery was held, as part of his wedding celebrations.

Louis XIV

A Thaw in the Gambling Freeze

By the 18th century, the French government began to ease up on its gambling restrictions, partially driven by financial struggles. But there was more to it than just money. France was feeling the pressure from a wider European trend — other countries, like England, were embracing lotteries.

As time went on, lotteries became a key revenue source not just for the state but for charitable institutions as well.

For instance, by 1789, the income from lotteries made up around 5-7% of France’s total revenue.

Some lottery funds went toward restoring historic sites, like the Hôtel-Dieu complex in Lyon

Gambling wasn’t just gaining traction in practice — it was also finding moral justification in the writings of influential thinkers. One standout was Jean Barbeyrac, a well-known Protestant jurist, who in 1709 wrote the Traité du Jeu (The Treatise of Games). Barbeyrac argued that lotteries aligned with natural human rights and that the state’s role was to regulate them, not to ban them.

Legendary Casanova participated in The Loterie de L’École Militaire, founded by Madame de Pompadour (1757)

The Royal Lottery was the only legal lottery in France, holding a monopoly over the market. Players could select numbers from a pool of 90, and winning numbers were drawn twice a month by spinning a wheel.

Other Forms of Gambling in 18th Century France

While lotteries were gradually becoming more accepted in the 18th century, other forms of gambling weren’t as lucky. But despite strict bans, gambling’s potential for charitable fundraising softened the religious stance on the issue, leading to its quiet acceptance behind closed doors.

At the royal court, gambling was alive and well. The aristocrats were huge fans of high-stakes bets, and they took their lead from the king himself. This trend started with Louis XIV and continued under two of his successors. But for the common folks, things were different.

In smaller towns, gambling bans were strictly enforced. Closer to Paris, however, things got a little more relaxed. Late-night raids on bars and cabarets were common in smaller areas. But Paris has a whole different vibe.

By 1776, hundreds of people flocked daily to Café de la Régence to bet on a game called La Belle (which was a mix between roulette and lottery).

Café de la Régence in Paris

Interesting Paradox: Gambling was officially banned, but it still spread like wildfire across Paris, thanks to a policy of “selective tolerance” promoted by the police. This allowed certain gambling venues to operate under the watchful eye of the authorities.

The government’s approach was simple: acknowledge that banning gambling wouldn’t stop it, but control it to prevent an underground surge. A few select, police-supervised venues were permitted to offer games, where bets were placed under the radar of the law.

One of the most popular games of the time in France was Faro

This system not only lined the pockets of local authorities with revenue from gambling but also supplied the police with informants. Funds collected from these operations helped finance public projects, including several homes for the elderly.

This period of “tolerance” toward gambling ran smoothly until the early 1760s, when the tides began to shift, paving the way for the beginning of what would soon culminate in one of the most significant events in history — the French Revolution.

Other Articles About History of Gambling in France in Different Periods:

• Part 2 — From Napoleon Bonaparte to Legalization
• Part 3 — From World War II to Online Betting