France is going to start issuing authorizations for online gambling operators after they reached an agreement with the European Union to open thier gaming market.

Budget Minister Eric Woerth made the announcement following meetings with Charlie McCreevy, the Internal Markets Commissioner for the EU last week. The two discussed proposals that would avert court action against France at the meetings.

"Being realistic, we're beginning a controlled opening up of online betting, which we have presented to the European Commission," said Woerth. France's gaming sector is currently controlled by Parimutuel Urbain (PMU) for horse racing and Francaise Des Jeux for lotteries.

"Proceedings against France for our monopoly as regards online betting have been open since June of 2007,” said Woerth. “In these circumstances, either we dig in our heels or we change our position.”


"For other forms of sportsbetting, we will hold discussions with leagues and federations. There, we will not have parimutuel betting but fixed-odds betting. We also want to open up casino games like poker but also roulette or blackjack."


- 2008-06-13