France Continues Crackdown on Online Casinos Jumping Gun
Online casino operators moving to advertise their services coming as France prepares to open its gaming market are drawing the attention of French officials, who warn that rules have not yet changed. An article placed by Internet betting service Zeturf in a French paper is being regarded as unauthorized advertising by authorities, and could have an impact on Zeturf's potential licensing.The full-page purchased in Metro by Zeturf featured the Prix del'Arc de Triomphe horse race, and pointed out Zeturf's better payments and odds. The betting company said the article was a press release, but Budget Minister Eric Woerth says it is advertising in disguise.
France has laid out plans to open its gambling market to licensed EU competitors by the start of 2010. Online casinos are eager to secure pieces of the French market, the largest expansion foreseen in Europe's near future.
But Woerth and his colleagues have been adamant about denying any operators a head start. Regulations against gambling advertisement will be closely enforced, they say, and operators choosing to ignore the timing of rule changes will be remembered when licensing hearings are held.
Several companies have been cited by Woerth as attempting to move before the appropriate time, signing sponsorship and marketing deals not yet available to them.
