France Moves to Legalise Online Casinos to Align with EU Standards

In a significant policy shift, France is set to legalise online casinos next year, bringing its regulations in line with the majority of European Union (EU) member states. 

This announcement was made by Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government, which has filed an amendment to the 2025 budget plan currently under debate in parliament. 

France Modernises in Line with Rest of Europe

Cyprus and France remain the two EU countries where online casinos are illegal, so this move is seen as an effort to modernize France's gambling laws. The government argues that the current prohibition hinders the country's regulatory framework, especially as most of Europe embraces multi-licensing systems.

Currently, France allows online betting, but online casino gaming has been prohibited due to concerns regarding addiction risks. An exception has been made for online poker, considered a game of skill rather than luck.

If the proposal passes, France will impose a tax rate of 55.6 percent on gross revenues from online casinos. Traditional brick-and-mortar casinos have voiced their concerns over potential revenue losses and job cuts if online gaming is permitted to compete with them. 

Findings of EGBA Analysis

The European online gambling landscape has been evolving significantly over the past 15 years. An analysis by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) reveals that 27 out of 31 European countries have adopted some form of multi-licensing for online gambling.

Of the 27 countries, 23 operate under a full multi-licensing model for all regulated online gambling products. 

Some countries, like Slovenia and Switzerland, have a mixed model with partial multi-licensing for specific products. As Finland prepares to transition to a multi-license framework by 2026, the momentum for broader regulatory reforms across Europe is undeniable. 

EGBA Secretary General Maarten Haijer emphasised the need for countries with existing monopolies or restrictions to adopt more consistent and effective regulations to enhance consumer protection, boost tax revenues, and strengthen regulatory oversight.