Online casino operators within the UK, finding domestic competition intense and markets stagnating, are hoping to expand business into France as that country prepares to permit foreign competition in Internet gambling to begin.

Online casinos operating out of the uk need to the outlet of the French gaming market so as to keep growth going even while domestic markets show some signs of saturation. France has already arranged a structure for regulating online gambling that met approval by the eu Commission, after some changes to the initial proposal.

Next, the bill suggesting French rules for Internet casinos might be brought before the national legislature within the first week of October. The law would allow Internet sports betting and online poker to be opened to international competition, meeting EU requirements that licensed EU companies be allowed to compete with domestic operations.

France had previously operated under a state monopoly on gambling, run by the national lottery.

A study by H2 Gambling Capital found that the revenue from online gambling in France would triple over the following two years if the market restrictions were loosened. That might boost sales to near to $1.5 billion.

William Hill, PartyGaming, and 888 are all reportedly desperate to expand operations into France, as recession has resulted in stagnation of growth at home. Most UK operators have seen a leveling, if not decline, in sales associated with casino gambling and sports betting, although bingo still is increasing in income generated.

Ultimately, the real draw of French Internet gambling lies in taxation, as rate are yet to be determined. A suggested 2 percent poker tax and 7.5 percent sports betting tax are suggested within the bill.

Published on September 23, 2009 by PrestonLewis

Read More... [Source: UK Casinos in the News]