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Will France Move Forward March 31 with UIGEA-like Law?

by PokerPages.com
Wed, Mar 5th, 2008 @ 12:00am

A statement made this week by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) focused attention on how the European Commission (EC) has given France until March 31 to change a planned law that would oblige banks to block payments on behalf of online gambling firms unless they are part of the French state monopolies Francaise des Jeux and PMU.

The EGBA states the draft French law would apply to online gaming operators fully licensed and regulated elsewhere in the European Union.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has repeatedly ruled that any gambling or betting business legally established in one EU state can offer its services anywhere else in the 27-nation bloc, and that any restrictions can only be for reasons of general public interest, if uniformly applied.

The EC issued final warnings called 'Reasoned Opinions' to France after rejecting their explanations for their protectionist gambling monopolies. If corrective action is not taken, France will be sued by the Commission in the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

Malta, an EU state where some online gaming firms are registered, also put its name to the detailed opinion.

"Today's action consolidates the Commission's position that unjustified payment blocking in our sector clearly contravenes EU law," Sigrid Ligne, EGBA secretary general, said in a statement.

"If France then decides to adopt the text despite the Commission warnings, the Commission can immediately launch infringement proceedings," the EGBA said.

The Commission and French government officials are to meet this week in a bid to avoid EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy taking France to the EU's top court for restricting gaming firms from elsewhere in the EU.

France has said earlier that it is willing to introduce a "controlled opening" in its sector.

In recent weeks McCreevy has stepped up legal action against Germany, as well as the Netherlands and Greece. Overall, the EC, an executive arm of the EU, currently has taken action against 10 member countries whose national gaming regulations are contrary to the higher level EU rulings.

Read Related Articles:

  • EU Starts Legal Action Against Sweden & Germany Over Gambling Practices
  • EGBA Applauds Court Asking if French Gaming Monopoly Abides by EU Rules
  • RGA Praises EC for Challenging Netherlands and Greece Gambling Protectionism
  • EC to Target Holland and Greece For Gambling Restrictions
  • France Still on Path to Regulate Online Poker and Online Gambling
  • France & EC Set More Talks on Opening French Gambling Monopoly
  • EU Rejects French & Swedish Gambling Monopolies, Says Change or Face Court
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