France Drops Online Gambling Prohibition
It seems that countries wishing to prohibit online gambling are going to be forced to reconcile their outdated attempts at legislating morality and depriving their citizens of choice with the trade agreements and partnerships into which they have entered. France finds itself the latest country to change legalities relating to online casinos in order to avoid trade violations.
France had faced complaints by other members of the European Union regarding their blockage of online casinos and online poker sites. In an attempt to prevent court actions, French Finance Minister Eric Woerth negotiated a settlement with Charlie McCreevy, the European Commissioner for Internal Markets and Services.
France agreed to allow online gambling operators to begin receiving authorization to accept French patrons by the second half of next year. Woerth announced a plan to give access to online poker and casino sites on a controlled, gradual basis, and said he would divulge more details at a French cabinet meeting before the weekend.
As countries like France and South Africa realize that regulated and licensed online gambling is preferential to prohibition, the United States remains one of the few nations to resist the inevitable legalization of online gambling.
Not only does licensing prevent trade disputes, it also saves millions in enforcenment dollars, while generating tax revenues, and giving residents their fully deserved liberties.
Soon, Barney Frank and other realistic Congressmen will pull whatever teeth the UIGEA has, and the U.S. can return to honoring the international treaties it has signed.
