French market developments are anticipated to advance as working groups gather to finalize the potential regulation of the sector.
According to SBCNews, discussions set for December 2 will primarily address issues like addiction and problem gambling reduction. This aims to outline a future regulatory framework for the French market amid ongoing political upheaval.
This initiative, led by Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin, involves a six-month consultation process steered by three working committees. A critical concern is how regulatory decisions could influence France’s political landscape, which remains a significant factor for the governing parties involved in these discussions.
Moreover, differing priorities could arise between the land-based sector and the budget ministry regarding the framework’s development. A key influencer in this progress is Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right party Rassemblement National, whose vote could be pivotal in passing the budget.
The prospective regulation of France’s casino market was a focal point at the AFJEL annual conference. During the event, Nicolas Béraud, CEO of France’s leading operator Betclic and President of AFJEL, stressed that with the illegal market expanding, maintaining the current situation is unsustainable, as licensed operators are hindered and unable to provide essential services to consumers.
When asked if regulation would integrate the illegal market into a legal framework, Béraud expressed uncertainty, remarking, “The market is already operational, the question is not whether to open it.” He highlighted that French players can easily find online casino platforms and gamble without realizing their illegality. With approximately four million active players and €2 billion in revenues, the illegal market in France is already comparable to a mature market.
Béraud further stated, “Although we’re unsure if problem gambling has worsened recently, the four million using illegal sites should transition to a legal environment. Online operators are best equipped to monitor and identify problematic gambling behaviors.”