France is set to legalise online casinos in 2025, as the government aims to align its gambling regulations with the majority of European Union countries.
The proposal, submitted as an amendment to the 2025 budget plan, will be debated in parliament beginning Monday.
If approved, the reform would mark a significant shift in France’s stance on online gambling, which has long been restricted due to concerns over addiction.
Currently, France and Cyprus are the only EU member states where online casinos remain illegal. Although France permits online sports betting and poker – the latter being viewed as a game of skill rather than chance – casino games such as slots and roulette have been prohibited.
Advocates for change argue that the time has come for a modernised approach, citing a booming illegal online casino market that generates an estimated 1.5 billion euros ($1.63 billion) annually, accounting for about 10% of the sector’s revenue.
The government has outlined several benefits to legalising online casinos, including tighter regulation of gambling activities to “limit the impact of online games on the health of consumers.”
Furthermore, legalisation would allow the state to levy taxes on gross revenues, expected to amount to 55.6%, creating a new source of public income.
However, the move faces strong opposition from France’s bricks-and-mortar casinos, which fear that legalised online gaming could significantly damage their businesses.
Gregory Rabuel, head of the French Casino Association, voiced concern, stating that the new policy could lead to a 20-30% drop in revenue for physical casinos, putting up to 15,000 jobs at risk and potentially forcing the closure of 30% of the country’s gambling establishments.
“Our members are worried about the loss of income and employment,” Rabuel told the business daily Les Echos. “The impact on our sector would be catastrophic, especially for smaller, regional casinos.”
France’s existing casino industry argues that online platforms would unfairly compete by offering more convenience and anonymity, factors that could draw customers away from traditional venues.
Casino operators have also pointed to previous administrations’ concerns about gambling addiction as a justification for maintaining the ban.
Proponents of the reform counter that the legalisation would not substantially increase competition pressures on physical casinos, as a large and growing online market already exists in France.
They argue that regulating this market will offer better protections for consumers and ensure that gambling platforms adhere to responsible gaming standards.
The proposed legalisation comes at a time when many EU countries have embraced online casinos, recognising the growing demand for digital gambling services.
By adjusting its regulations, France aims to close a gap with its European neighbours and tap into a lucrative revenue stream.
Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s administration has expressed optimism that legalisation will strike a balance between economic benefits and public health concerns.
As the proposal enters parliamentary discussions, it remains to be seen whether the government can reconcile the interests of the gambling industry with the need to modernise its regulatory framework.
The debate over online casino legalisation could set a precedent for other sectors facing similar challenges in adapting to the digital age.
