French Parliament Begins Discussions On New Internet Gambling Laws

France is taking steps to become the latest country that changes their online gambling laws to conform with European Union standards. On Wednesday, the French Parliament began discussions on a bill that would end the current monopoly on Internet gambling.

There are only two online gaming operations that are running in France at the current time. The Francaise des Jeux, which is a state owned lottery outlet, and the PMU, also a state run outfit that offers horse racing.

The European Union has been putting pressure on France and other countries to change their online gambling laws in order to come into compliance with EU agreements. Clearly, lawmakers in France have heeded that warning.

"We have chosen a middle way which I think is just and efficient, a controlled opening up of the market," said Budget Minister Eric Woerth, to Parliament, "I want to put an end to these parallel universes. I want to put an end to the jungle of illegal sites."

If the new bill is approved, it would open the door for foreign online gaming companies to obtain licenses and offer games that currently are illegal in France. Poker and sports betting would become legal under the bill.

France joins Italy, Spain, and the US as countries where there has been a push to change Internet gambling laws. In the US, Representative Barney Frank is leading a charge to overturn a 2006 law that made it harder for online gaming sites to operate in the country.

October 7, 2009
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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