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 not ultimately 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 plan. This withdrawal is motivated by pressure from certain bodies who believe that the prevention and regulation measures are not yet sufficient to ensure a secure environment for players. The preservation of public health seems to have taken precedence over the economic arguments put forward by supporters of legalisation.
Le Parisien indicates that the government does not wish to legislate immediately, preferring to wait until additional guarantees are provided, particularly regarding the prevention of addictive behaviours and the protection of vulnerable populations. For the moment, the amendment is therefore withdrawn, and no specific date has been set for a new attempt at regulation.
The reasons for this reversal
The government's reversal seems mainly motivated by concerns around 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 strong 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 addictions and protecting consumers. The finance minister explained that further studies were necessary to assess the impact of legalisation on the population before being able to move forward with this project.
What next for the sector's players?
For the 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 often in unclear 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 of the sector.
Foreign platforms will therefore continue to attract French players, without the State being able to derive tax benefits or implement extensive protection measures. For players, this also means the absence of guarantees on the security 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 issue of legalising online casinos is entirely abandoned. According to France Info, the government could come back once conditions are deemed favourable, with a stronger 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 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 about 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 are keeping an ear to the ground regarding developments on this issue and will keep you informed of the next steps. For now, the situation remains in suspense, 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 not ultimately 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 plan. This withdrawal is motivated by pressure from certain bodies who believe that the prevention and regulation measures are not yet sufficient to ensure a secure environment for players. The preservation of public health seems to have taken precedence over the economic arguments put forward by supporters of legalisation.
Le Parisien indicates that the government does not wish to legislate immediately, preferring to wait until additional guarantees are provided, particularly regarding the prevention of addictive behaviours and the protection of vulnerable populations. For the moment, the amendment is therefore withdrawn, and no specific date has been set for a new attempt at regulation.
The reasons for this reversal
The government's reversal seems mainly motivated by concerns around 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 strong 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 addictions and protecting consumers. The finance minister explained that further studies were necessary to assess the impact of legalisation on the population before being able to move forward with this project.
What next for the sector's players?
For the 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 often in unclear 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 of the sector.
Foreign platforms will therefore continue to attract French players, without the State being able to derive tax benefits or implement extensive protection measures. For players, this also means the absence of guarantees on the security 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 issue of legalising online casinos is entirely abandoned. According to France Info, the government could come back once conditions are deemed favourable, with a stronger 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 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 about 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 are keeping an ear to the ground regarding developments on this issue and will keep you informed of the next steps. For now, the situation remains in suspense, but the opportunities for the online gaming industry in France are not extinguished.
