Citing a desire to protect players and adding a revenue-raising tax, French lawmakers voted 299 to 223 in favor of the regulation and legalization of online poker and other forms of gambling in the country. Budget Minister Francois Baroinsaid said, “This text will allow us to progressively dry up the black market in online gambling by creating a legal offer which obeys the rules.”

The vote is consistent with French efforts to not only raise funds, but to also protect its citizens. There has been a great deal of concern over possible abuses among online gambling sites, and this law paves the way for the country to oversee the industry and its operation within the national borders. The law states that only licensed poker rooms will be allowed to operate in France.

In addition, France will receive a welcome boost in tax revenue from the new enterprise. The law introduces a 2 percent tax on online poker transactions, in addition to a 7.5 percent tax on online bookmaking. What is still unclear are the licensing fees that will be charged to online poker sites and casinos.

France, like Italy, has a strong poker history. The first non-US event held by the World Poker Tour was in Paris and the popularity of the game there has helped increase its acceptance throughout Europe. This law is likely to serve as a model for other countries looking to legalize online gambling.
by Swinson · pokerroomreview.com

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