The French Prime Minister’s administration has introduced an initiative to legalise the digital casino segment as part of the state’s budget plan for the following year. Michel Barnier's supporters believe this proposal can combat the black gaming market and increase the country’s tax revenue.
Details and Goals of the Document
The offered strategy aims to reverse the expansion of unlawful internet operations in France. The local regulatory body, ANJ, reported that the shadow web gambling segment is now estimated to be between € 748 million and a whopping € 1.5 billion. Legalisation and proper management of online activities could significantly decrease those figures and enrich the state with approximately € 1 billion in tax revenue.
If passed, the initiative would implement a 55.6% fee on iGaming brands' turnover.
The following web-based operators supported the proposal:
- Unibet;
- Betclic;
- Winamax.
These studios are eager to start working lawfully in the local market and help it thrive to cover the needs of all participants, including the government and players.
As of now, the country is known for one of the strictest regulatory frameworks in the gambling business in Europe. All categories of digital casino content are prohibited. Nevertheless, the authorities allow managers to run sportsbooks and poker platforms.
Impact on the Ground Gaming Vertical
The initiative encountered some opposition from the physical niche’s representatives. In Grégory Rabuel's opinion, who is Barrière Groupe’s CEO and Casinos de France’s President, legalising the web sector could cause a 20−30% decrease in land-based GGR.
The executive suggested that up to 30% of gambling halls may be closed, and about 15,000 employees could lose their jobs. To avoid this scenario, the expert has proposed a 3-year exclusivity period for ground venues to run online platforms before scaling competition.
Despite the opposition, the country’s government insists that iGaming regulation is vital for maintaining stability.
The authorities believe legalisation can have a positive effect in the following aspects:
- combating the black market;
- attracting foreign investments;
- preventing ludomania development;
- offering better protection levels for gamblers;
- increasing tax revenue for the state’s economy;
- coping with financial risks related to unlawful activities.
The document’s provisions are currently being debated in the local budget discussions. The final decision will be announced by the end of 2024. If approved, the initiative would put France on par with European iGaming giants.
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