France is set to welcome two new gaming destinations, with Saumur opening its first casino and Paris preparing for a landmark Partouche gaming club.
How did Saumur get its first casino?
Saumur, located in Maine-et-Loire, has welcomed its first casino. Unlike typical casino locations, which are often seaside resorts or spa towns, this equestrian city is now home to a full-scale gaming venue due to a 2023 legal exemption.
In France, opening a casino is generally prohibited except by special exemption. These exemptions have mostly applied to seaside resorts and spa towns.
In 2023, deputies passed a new exemption. It applies to equestrian towns and border departments that lack casinos. The aim is to address "gaming deserts," which are areas far from casinos, often located in tourist regions.
The goal is also to create new revenue. The Saumur casino is expected to generate more than €1.5m ($1.7m) annually for the town.
The casino is managed by Joa group, spans more than 2,000 m² and will open with 125 slot machines.
What makes the upcoming Partouche Gaming Club in Paris special?
Paris is set to welcome a new gaming club in May 2026. Groupe Partouche is preparing to open its club on Avenue de la Grande Armée near Arc de Triomphe, marking a major step for the company.
The club will cover nearly 5,000 m² across four levels, an unprecedented scale for the city. It will feature 100 tables: 70 for poker and 30 for other table games. The focus is on poker as the main offering, while still providing a broad selection to appeal to an international audience.
Operations will be managed by TexaPoker, a leading name in France’s live poker circuit. The club will host three daily tournaments covering all buy-in levels, a rare schedule in Paris that aligns it with international standards.
Several festivals are already planned, including the Unibet Open from 16 to 25 May 2026, with the WSOP Circuit in September as the main highlight, potentially putting the club on the European map immediately.
Partouche plans a comprehensive experience with nearly 250 staff, an Italian-inspired restaurant and continuous snacking areas on each floor. The club is positioned as a hybrid venue, combining gaming with a high-end nightlife destination.
The French Constitutional Council recently confirmed the permanent status of Parisian gaming clubs after a nine-year wait
