EGBA Calls on France to Regulate Online Casinos Amid Black Market Concerns

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) is intensifying its call for France to regulate online casinos, addressing the rampant black market in the country. Currently, France prohibits online casino games, leading to the proliferation of illicit gambling websites. A study conducted by the French Gaming Authority reveals that the black market could be generating as much as €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) in annual gross gaming revenue. The EGBA emphasizes that the ban on online casinos is a significant factor contributing to the problem and urges the French authorities to urgently reevaluate their current stance.

Online casinos reportedly constitute a significant portion, accounting for 50%, of the traffic on France's black market websites. This situation poses considerable risks to consumer protection due to the absence of regulatory oversight. Maarten Haijer, the Secretary General of the EGBA, underscores the need for a regulated online casino market, advocating for a multi-licensing model. The objective is to provide better protection for consumers, regain control over the online gambling market, and secure essential tax revenues.

The EGBA argues that the prohibition of online casinos is counterproductive and fails consumers, and instead proposes that regulating these games through a competitive, multi-licensing framework is the most effective strategy. Establishing a regulated market is seen as a crucial step in countering the black market, offering a legal alternative that ensures consumer protection and market oversight.

In a parallel development in the French gambling landscape, La Française des Jeux (FDJ) has successfully completed its acquisition of the Irish National Lottery. This move adds another layer of significance to the changes in the French gambling industry, illustrating the dynamic nature of the sector as it undergoes regulatory and operational shifts.

By fLEXI tEAM