The French Open, also known as Roland Garros, is the second Grand Slam event of the year and it generally takes place between late May and early June. The French Open is the only Grand Slam event to be played on clay, which is a much different surface than hard court or grass and any bets on the French Open should take the surface into consideration.
On this page we look at where you can bet on the French Open, explain the most common bets and how to read the odds, and finish with a step by step guide to getting started.
Where Can You Bet On The French Open?
Where you can bet on the French Open depends on where you live. Here is a quick look at the main options in the United States, Canada, the UK and elsewhere.
United States
Sports betting is legal in more than 35 states plus Washington, D.C. Licensed sportsbooks in every legal state offer odds on Grand Slam tennis, including match bets, set betting and outright winner markets. You must be 21 or older in most states and physically located in a state where the sportsbook is licensed. Offshore sportsbooks also accept bets from Americans, but they are not licensed or regulated by any US state, which means there is no state regulator to turn to if there is a dispute over a bet or a withdrawal.
Canada
Ontario has a regulated market of licensed online sportsbooks, and the other provinces offer online betting through their provincial lottery sites. The legal betting age is 19 in most provinces and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. Coverage of the French Open varies by site, so check the markets offered before signing up.
United Kingdom
Licensed bookmakers in the UK offer odds on every match at Roland Garros, along with extensive in-play betting. Use an operator licensed by the Gambling Commission, which requires you to be 18 or older and verifies your identity before you can bet.
Elsewhere
Many other countries regulate online betting with their own licensing systems, while some restrict it. Check the rules in your country before signing up with any betting site, and stick to operators licensed where you live.
French Open Betting Options
As with all Grand Slam events one of the most popular betting options is to bet on which player will win the entire tournament. This type of bet allows you to follow your player throughout the tourney and if he or she does manage to win on the final Sunday you are in for a big payday.
Then there is always the option to bet on French Open matches individually. Moneyline, spread, totals and prop bets are all available on every French Open match. Individual match betting is necessary if you want to bet on a player, but you don’t think they will win the tournament.
French Open Betting Tips
- Clay Court Event – The French Open is played on a clay court and this fact should play a big part in your betting decisions. Clay is the most unique tennis surface and there are many “clay court specialists” on tour and many players who collapse on clay. Make sure you take a player’s past clay court success into account.
- For more general tennis betting tips check out the bet on tennis page.
How To Bet On The French Open – Step By Step
Whichever site you choose, the process of getting started is similar. Here’s a general guide.
Step 1. Choose a Licensed Site
Pick a sportsbook that is licensed where you live and offers French Open markets. Review the options above before signing up.
Step 2. Check The Age and Location Rules
The minimum age is 21 in most US states, 18 or 19 in Canada depending on the province, and 18 in the UK. Most licensed sites also confirm that you are located where they are licensed.
Step 3. Create and Verify Your Account
Sign up with your legal name, date of birth and address. Licensed sites are required to verify your identity, so you may be asked for a photo of your ID or other documents.
Step 4. Fund Your Account
Deposit using one of the site’s payment methods, which commonly include debit cards and bank transfers. Check how withdrawals work, and how long they take, before you deposit.
Step 5. Find The Market and Place Your Bet
Navigate to the tennis section, select the market you’re interested in, and enter your stake. Before confirming, check the odds and how much you stand to win.
Step 6. Set Limits
Decide on a budget before the match and stick to it. Most licensed sites let you set deposit and time limits in your account settings. If betting stops being fun, free help is available: call 1-800-GAMBLER in the US, ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 in Ontario, or the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133 in the UK.
To learn more about the history of Roland Garros check out the wiki page.