After discussions and debates around the legalisation and regulation of online casinos in France, the government seems to have backtracked. Indeed, the bill providing for the regularisation of this activity will ultimately not be included in the 2025 budget. As a reminder, in our previous article Why the legalisation of online casinos is imminent (2024), we explored the initial motivations for this market opening. This decision marks a significant reversal and raises many questions about the future of the online gambling industry in France.
A step back for online casinos
According to Les Échos, the French government has finally decided to withdraw the amendment providing for the legalisation of online casinos from the 2025 budget bill. This withdrawal is motivated by pressure from certain bodies who believe that prevention and regulation measures are not yet sufficient to guarantee a safe environment for players. Public health preservation seems to have taken precedence over the economic arguments advanced by proponents of legalisation.
Parisien notes that the government does not wish to legislate immediately, preferring to wait for additional guarantees to be provided, especially regarding the prevention of addictive behaviours and the protection of vulnerable populations. For now, the amendment is therefore withdrawn, and no specific date has been advanced for a new regulation attempt.
Reasons for this reversal
The government's reversal seems primarily motivated by concerns about public health and addiction prevention. Although the legalisation of online casinos was presented as an opportunity to generate significant tax revenue, critics highlighted the risks associated with a hasty market opening without a sufficiently solid regulatory framework.
The decision to withdraw this amendment also takes place in a context where the government is trying to preserve its image with addiction-fighting associations and consumer protection groups. The Minister of Finance explained that further studies were necessary to assess the impact of legalisation on the population before moving forward with this project.
What next for industry players?
For online gaming industry players, this decision is a disappointment. Many hoped that legalisation would provide a clear legal framework for an activity that already exists but in often unclear and unregulated conditions. This withdrawal of the amendment casts uncertainty over the future of online casinos in France and postpones the prospect of official recognition for the sector.
Foreign platforms will therefore continue to attract French players, without the State being able to derive tax benefits from them or implement extensive protection measures. For players, this also means the absence of guarantees on the safety and transparency of the sites where they play.
Is legalisation still possible?
Although the government has chosen to withdraw the amendment for now, this does not mean that the question of online casino legalisation is entirely off the table. According to France Info, the government could return to the charge once conditions are deemed favourable, with a stronger framework to regulate the sector.
It is therefore possible that online casino legalisation is simply delayed. In the meantime, the industry remains in anticipation, hoping that discussions will resume in the future, with sufficient guarantees to convince all stakeholders.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of the amendment providing for the legalisation of online casinos marks a halt for the sector in France. Concerns related to addiction prevention and player safety have taken precedence over economic arguments. However, the debate is not closed, and the question of legalisation could well return to the table once the regulatory framework has been strengthened.
At 8Fortuna, we remain attentive to developments in this dossier and will keep you informed of the next steps. For now, the situation remains in limbo, but the opportunities for the online gaming industry in France are not extinguished.
After discussions and debates around the legalisation and regulation of online casinos in France, the government seems to have backtracked. Indeed, the bill providing for the regularisation of this activity will ultimately not be included in the 2025 budget. As a reminder, in our previous article Why the legalisation of online casinos is imminent (2024), we explored the initial motivations for this market opening. This decision marks a significant reversal and raises many questions about the future of the online gambling industry in France.
A step back for online casinos
According to Les Échos, the French government has finally decided to withdraw the amendment providing for the legalisation of online casinos from the 2025 budget bill. This withdrawal is motivated by pressure from certain bodies who believe that prevention and regulation measures are not yet sufficient to guarantee a safe environment for players. Public health preservation seems to have taken precedence over the economic arguments advanced by proponents of legalisation.
Parisien notes that the government does not wish to legislate immediately, preferring to wait for additional guarantees to be provided, especially regarding the prevention of addictive behaviours and the protection of vulnerable populations. For now, the amendment is therefore withdrawn, and no specific date has been advanced for a new regulation attempt.
Reasons for this reversal
The government's reversal seems primarily motivated by concerns about public health and addiction prevention. Although the legalisation of online casinos was presented as an opportunity to generate significant tax revenue, critics highlighted the risks associated with a hasty market opening without a sufficiently solid regulatory framework.
The decision to withdraw this amendment also takes place in a context where the government is trying to preserve its image with addiction-fighting associations and consumer protection groups. The Minister of Finance explained that further studies were necessary to assess the impact of legalisation on the population before moving forward with this project.
What next for industry players?
For online gaming industry players, this decision is a disappointment. Many hoped that legalisation would provide a clear legal framework for an activity that already exists but in often unclear and unregulated conditions. This withdrawal of the amendment casts uncertainty over the future of online casinos in France and postpones the prospect of official recognition for the sector.
Foreign platforms will therefore continue to attract French players, without the State being able to derive tax benefits from them or implement extensive protection measures. For players, this also means the absence of guarantees on the safety and transparency of the sites where they play.
Is legalisation still possible?
Although the government has chosen to withdraw the amendment for now, this does not mean that the question of online casino legalisation is entirely off the table. According to France Info, the government could return to the charge once conditions are deemed favourable, with a stronger framework to regulate the sector.
It is therefore possible that online casino legalisation is simply delayed. In the meantime, the industry remains in anticipation, hoping that discussions will resume in the future, with sufficient guarantees to convince all stakeholders.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of the amendment providing for the legalisation of online casinos marks a halt for the sector in France. Concerns related to addiction prevention and player safety have taken precedence over economic arguments. However, the debate is not closed, and the question of legalisation could well return to the table once the regulatory framework has been strengthened.
At 8Fortuna, we remain attentive to developments in this dossier and will keep you informed of the next steps. For now, the situation remains in limbo, but the opportunities for the online gaming industry in France are not extinguished.
