European Gaming Association Urges France to Reevaluate iGaming Regulation

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) is calling on France to reevaluate its position on iGaming regulation in light of a troubling discovery on the size of the country’s illegal gambling business. This request comes in the wake of a recent research that revealed the vast scope of the black market and was commissioned by the French gaming regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux.

According to the report, the illegal iGaming market in France has the potential to make up to €1.5 billion a year—a sum that is on par with the profits made by the regulated sector. This information confirms that one of the biggest gaming marketplaces in Europe is located in France. The report also revealed that three million French gamers use unlicensed websites each month, with high-risk gamers accounting for 79% of total gaming income.

Immediate Action Needed, Says Haijer

In light of these conclusions, the EGBA is pleading with France to reconsider its prohibition on internet gaming. Though it is one of only two EU nations that have this kind of ban, the EGBA stressed that the existence of black market operations suggests there is a strong market for online casino products.

The EGBA contends that keeping the current restriction in place might unintentionally encourage the expansion of the black market, endangering local businesses. Websites that operate outside of French legislation are unreliable and don’t offer enough safety for players.

The EGBA maintains that supporting a lawful gaming sector is essential to guaranteeing players at online casinos a safe and secure environment. It suggests implementing a multi-licensing strategy that would enable many operators to apply for business-to-customer licenses. This strategy, which has already shown to be successful in lessening the power of the black market, encourages healthy competition and improves player safety.

The EGBA’s secretary general, Maarten Haijer, voiced personal worries over the size of France’s illicit internet industry. Haijer contended that the French prohibition on iGaming is ineffective, drawing parallels with illegal activities in Germany and Italy.

The EGBA argues that France can restore control over its online gambling business, improve consumer protection, and ensure vital tax revenues by regulating online casino games via a multi-licensing approach. The only way to address the expanding black market problem is to establish a competitive, regulated alternative market. The EGBA highlights that now is the moment to take action.

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