French Online Casino Rules Block Betfair
A last-minute amendment to France's new regulations for online casinos effectively forces Betfair and other sports betting exchanges out of the country. The new addition requires bookmakers to be licensed by the state, pay a percentage to sports, and to not allow players to lay bets as well as place them.
Betfair's operations, which allow patrons to bet against each other, break that requirement, preventing one of the world's largest sports betting services from legally entering the French market. Betfair officials say the move discriminates, possibly beginning a complaint with the EU.
France also relied on a UK study which found, in contrast to numerous other studies over the last decade, that online gambling is far more addictive than land-based wagering.The study was conducted by a member of a long-time anti-gambling group.
Under EU rules, discrimination against competition can legally be set up, if there is compelling reason to believe public safety is involved. Betfair representatives said the British survey was not taken with a scientific sample, relying on a sample too small to be statistically significant.
Bookmakers say they will protest the French provision demanding almost two percent of revenue for the sports commission to help counter gaming corruption. Online casinos say they already help make betting transparent and aid in detecting potential match fixing.
