French Online Gambling

September 29, 2007

The French have not been known for their liberal approach to online gambling up until this point, but the times they are a changing, so to speak. The French are in the midst of talks that will change the online gambling industry as it is currently run in the country. There are some demands that must be met, but many are hopeful for a new approach.

French representatives are meeting with European Union officials this week, in Brussels, to discuss the exclusivity that the French have been using for their online gambling. Experts say that the talks are probably only going to center around online sports betting, in as much as how it is affecting agreements with the European Commission.

The French have tried to keep online gambling within France up until now, but with the changing of the guard so to speak, the EU is trying to persuade the country to follow the same rules and regulations as the other members of the commission follow. Germany is also in the same predicament as they have been running their online casinos only in Germany, without the allowance of other country�s coming in and taking their revenue.

With their online casino holds so tight within their various countries, and other countries fighting to get a foothold in there, it is going to take a while before those borders have opened up to outsiders. However, the EU court is taking a very strong stance on the countries and how they might be able to avoid an aggressive confrontation between France and Germany and those other members of the EU.

The French have said that they will join in the discussions, but they say that they will only discuss online sports betting at this time, and that deregulation must be handled orderly and controlled, and that those online casinos that want to be involved must have offices within France�s borders.
 

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