After discussions and debates surrounding the legalisation and regulation of online casinos in France, the government seems to have backtracked. Indeed, the bill providing for the regulation 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 behind this market opening. This decision marks a major turnaround and raises many questions about the future of the online gambling industry in France.
A step backwards 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 draft budget for 2025. This withdrawal is motivated by pressure from certain bodies which believe that prevention and regulation measures are not yet sufficient to guarantee a safe environment for players. The preservation of public health seems to have taken precedence over the economic arguments put forward by proponents of legalisation.
Le Parisien specifies that the government does not wish to legislate immediately, preferring to wait for additional guarantees to be provided, particularly 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 For now, the amendment is therefore withdrawn, and no specific date has been set for a new regulatory attempt.
The reasons for this turnaround
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The government's turnaround seems mainly motivated by concerns around public health and the prevention of addictions. Although the legalisation of online casinos was presented as an opportunity to generate significant tax revenues, critics highlighted the risks associated with a hasty opening of the market without a sufficiently robust regulatory framework.
The decision to withdraw this amendment also comes in a context where the government is trying to preserve its image with associations fighting against addiction and consumer protection groups. The Minister of Finance explained that further studies were needed to assess the impact of legalisation on the population before moving forward with this project.
What is next for industry players?
For players in the online gaming industry, this decision is a disappointment. Many hoped that legalisation would provide a clear legal framework for an activity that already exists, but often under vague and unregulated conditions. This withdrawal of the amendment leaves uncertainty hanging over the future of online casinos in France and postpones the prospect of official recognition for the sector.
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Foreign platforms will therefore continue to attract French players, without the State being able to derive any tax benefits or implement extensive protection measures. For players, this also means a lack of guarantees regarding the safety and transparency of the sites on which 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 legalising online casinos is entirely abandoned. According to France Info, the government could return to the charge once conditions are deemed favourable, with a more robust framework to regulate the sector.
It is therefore possible that the legalisation of online casinos is simply postponed. In the meantime, the industry remains in expectation, hoping that discussions will resume in the future, with sufficient guarantees to convince all stakeholders.
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Conclusion
The withdrawal of the amendment providing for the legalisation of online casinos marks a halt for the sector in France. Concerns related to the prevention of addictions and player safety took 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 on this issue and will keep you informed of the next steps. For now, the situation remains on hold, but opportunities for the online gaming industry in France are not dead.
