French government pulls back on plans to legalise online casino
Minster for budget and public accounts Laurent Saint-Martin tells Radio J that more work must be done, as land-based casino trade body celebrates U-turn
The French government has indicated it will row back on its plans to introduce online casino legislation following backlash from land-based operators.
Yesterday, 27 October, the minster for budget and public accounts Laurent Saint-Martin told French radio station Radio J that more work was needed to ensure the strategy was watertight.
Saint-Martin said: “There was talk the government would submit an amendment. This is no longer the case. I think we need to work among ourselves first.
“I am very vigilant on this subject. We must not make mistakes. This must not penalise certain stakeholders, particularly physical casinos.”
The backtracking from the government minister comes a little more than a week after an amendment was proposed to the 2025 budget.
The amendment, which was filed on 19 October by the government, would have legalised online casino in France with a 55.6% tax rate.
France and Cyprus are the only EU nations to outlaw online casino.
The amendment also made reference to research from the French gambling regulator, the ANJ, which suggested as much as 50% of the €1.5bn black market in the country could be derived from online casinos.
The announcement was met with derision from various land-based casino stakeholders in France, with opponents claiming the legislation would lead to job losses and a reduction in municipal budgets across the country.
Grégory Rabuel, president of Casinos de France, the trade body representing the land-based sector, told daily French newspaper Les Echos that online casino being introduced could lead to 15,000 jobs being put at risk.
Last week, in an open letter, 128 French mayors called on Prime Minister Michel Barnier to rethink the proposal as they claimed a third of land-based venues would be forced to close.
Mayors from major cities including Lyon, Nice and Calais said the legalisation of online casino in France would be akin to opening “Pandora’s Box”.
Speaking following Saint-Martin’s comments, Rabuel said: “We are relieved the government has heard our concerns.
“We will remain vigilant to ensure the commitment made by the Minister of the Budget [Saint-Martin] is respected; any possible future legislative or regulatory developments must be part of a framework of consultation and constructive dialogue.”