French Online Casino Regulations Continue to Raise Objections
France already is facing complaints by the European Commission that the country's proposed online casino regulations do not abide by standards set by the EC for establishing a single market within the EU. Now new objections are being raised that the regulatory package for Internet gambling includes provisions for sports betting that are unworkable, according to an association of gaming operators.
The European Gaming and Betting Association told EGRmagazine that the proposal to make sports books pay sporting leagues fees for the right to host betting on their games is "highly problematic."
Using the oft-repeated need for integrity and freedom from corruption in sports as its base, the French government would demand all sports gambling operators pay French teams on whom bets are accepted.
While allowing that members of the EGBA may have to pay a tax or fee for sports betting rights at their online casinos, the organization's director for regulatory affairs, Maarten Haijer, told EGR "there is no link between a sports betting right and the integrity of sport.”
The EGBA noted that only French teams in multinational leagues would receive benefits from the proposal.
The EC has found the French rules to be discriminatory against licensed foreign operators, a violation of EC compacts promising equal and free trade in services.
