Actions of E.U. Commission to Open Up the Online Gambling Market in the European Community

The future of online gambling in France was dealt with today in Paris by France’s , budget minister Eric Woerth, when he held a press conference that brought some light to the question of what are the French Government's intentions.

Today, the efforts of the European Commission found some success, to bring France into agreement and to permit to compete with state monopolies, operators of online gambling establishments that are within the E.U. jurisdictions.

It is in particular Sportsbetting that has served as the focus that has been pushing France toward the resolution of this long standing conflict.
Among the subjects to be discussed will be the issue of the sponsorship by operators of sports teams and it is believed there will be initiated control technology for all electronic data, financial transactions along with the levying of taxes. There is also involved the possible freeing up of the French market as regards pool betting for horse racing and in addition, fixed-odds bets on other sports including such sports as online poker, football or tennis, and casino games.

Infringement proceedings against ten E.U. member nations that have monopolistic or protectionist gambling policies are already ongoing on the part of the European Commission. The countries being affected by these proceedings being carried out by the European commission include cases against Sweden, Greece, France, and in addition, against the Netherlands, Hungary, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Finland, and Italy.  Cases against Hungary, Denmark, and Finland were resolved following the receipt by the European Commission of their written request for information from these countries.

France's budget minister Eric Woerth in addition, at today's announcement, presented the tax structure which will accompany a bill to open up online gambling. According to Minister Woerth there will probably be a 2% tax on online poker, and in addition there will be a 7.5% tax on horse racing and sports.

The proposed gaming bill will be presented to ministers by the end of March or by early April. It is probable that before the 2009 summer parliamentary recess, a vote will not take place. According to Woerth the opening up of the online gambling market should take effect by January 1st, 2010. Licenses are expected to be assigned to operators and to run for five years.

Back to Lastest Gambling News
Back to Gambling News Archive
Back to Gambling News - April 2009 Archive