Following a review of France's draft online gambling laws, the European Commission has asked for a number of amendments to be made.
After earning a slap on the wrist from the European Commission some time ago for its protectionist policies with regard to online gambling laws, the French Government has been busy putting together laws that will open up its market to operators outside France. The proposed laws were submitted in draft form back in March this year. But it seems they still have some work to do on the their currently proposed law before it will get the nod of approval from the Commission.
According to French Minister of Budget Eric Woerth, the man charged with putting the new laws into effect, there are two key points of contention.
The first involves a proposed limitation on the maximum proportion of bets paid back to players. The French Government claim the provision was included as higher payout maximums will contribute gambling addiction, and they are undertaking a study presently in this area to justify the move. The Commission have said that no evidence exists to assert that a correlation exists between player addiction and payout rates.
The second revolves around the need to take into account probity measures already assessed by regulators of other licensing jurisdictions of the relevant operator.
The new laws, once approved by the European Commission are expected to come into effect early 2010. The law will see the creation of a new regulatory body (Autorité de Régulation des jeux en ligne), and open up the French market to online gambling operators of wagering, sports betting and 'skill games' like poker. Online casinos and poker rooms are believed to be to addictive to be included.
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