FRENCH SCENE BRIGHTER

14 September 2007

Talks commence in Brussels on a more liberal approach to online gambling


Providing a list of demands can be met, there may be some light at the end of the French online gambling tunnel as French representatives meet with European Union officials this week in Brussels for talks on the exclusive nature of French policies.

But any rapprochement is likely to involve only online sports betting, according to eGaming Review.

In previous InfoPowa bulletins we have extensively reviewed the clash between French national monopolistic policies when it comes to gambling, and the position of the European Commission which seeks to persuade members of the 27 nation EU to adhere to treaty obligations for free passage of goods and services. This year in particular has seen an apparently looming confrontation with several nations - including France - reluctant to eschew their national holds on gambling, and the prospect of European Court of Justice actions has moved closer.

Now, according to the eGaming Review report, the French have given a little ground in the debate and enter talks to find a way forward - but with a list of demands.

The list includes a stipulation that only online sports betting will be involved; that deregulation must be accomplished in a controlled manner; that online gambling companies wishing to access the French market set up offices in the country and that some protection for the French state monopolies be afforded.

It's likely that negotiations will be tough. eGaming Review quotes Unibet chief Petter Nylander as welcoming the developments but asserting that a realistic approach to regulation would come through a robust system that was in line with current regimes, such as those in the UK or Malta.

Nylander added that by only allowing operators to offer pool betting, the French government was placing a decoy to protect state monopolies, and that players would always be able to use a broader range of products from other (non-regulated) online operators.

Apparently French land gambling operations are champing at the bit to launch online gambling sites targeting French players, and have been lobbying government figures to this end. The eGaming Review article claims that the country’s two largest operators, Barrière and Partouche, are getting increasingly nervous of the competition from non-French online gaming operators targeting the country.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa