France Given Extended Deadline To Ammend Online Gambling Laws - 09-07-07

September 7 - French gambling authorities have received an extended deadline to modify its restrictive and anti competitive gambling law. The new deadline is set for October 29th 2007. France fell foul of European Union authorities last year when it implemented new laws as an attempt to outlaw all non state-run online gambling operations. These moves were in direct conflict to EU competition laws.

Until now, The French has appears to have little regard for the fact the it was breaking EU regulations. France as well as other European countries such as Sweden have been severely criticized within the EU for blocking other EU online gambling companies from operate within France, whilst creating very favorable conditions for state owned gambling operators.

According to the EC, France is in breach of article 49 of the European Treaty. The treaty is there to ensure a free market in the service sector within the EU, which includes activities like gambling. At the moment the French authorities allow only two local gambling operators, namely PMU (the French tote) and Française des Jeux (a multi game operators including lottery), to provide customers with an Internet based gambling service.

The original deadline was set for August 2007. The EC demanded that France alter its gambling laws before this date, which would allow EU licensed operators to offer their services to French natives. Instead, the French authorities have threatened to fine Internet providers 675,000 Euros if they did not warn French citizens that hey are entering an illegal websie.

(Pity the French didn't show the same commitment in the opening match of the Rugby World  Cup!)

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