The French have apparently been able to do in a few short months what the Americans have been unable to do in four years – allow online gambling within their jurisdiction.  While Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) continues to flap his jaw about the great support his online gambling bill has in the United States Congress, it is quite noticeable that the bill has not moved forward in quite sometime.

Despite claims that his bill, which would effectively eliminate the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006, would pass both houses of Congress with no difficulty whatsoever, it has stalled and has lost some momentum.  This has not been the problem in France.  The National Assembly of France will move this month to vote in favour of the legalization of online gambling throughout its jurisdiction.

This move represents quite a turnaround for the French who, three short years ago, stood firm in holding a monopoly of the gambling industry.  While the vast majority of their citizenry stood fast in favour of online gambling, the French government refused to budge.  The argument that was expressed by the French government was that it was protecting the welfare of its citizens by monopolizing gambling.  Obviously, the French government believed that it was the best oversight option at the time.  Even back in 2007, however, the French Interior Minister, Michele Aliot-Marie, was in favour of liberalizing online gambling so that the French casinos could be present in new markets.  At that point in time, only the Francaise des Jeux and the PMU were allowed to operate online casino games in France, a fact that did not resonate positively with European regulators concerned with the blockage of international operators.

Today, the French appear ready to legalize online gambling.  The positive vote of the National Assembly of France is the first step in the process.  Now, all eyes are turned toward the European Union, which will have to render its approval in order for the online casino industry in France to gain final approval in the process.  Still, there is opposition to this legislation.  Strangely enough, there are some casino operators operating outside the boundaries of France that feel that the new law discriminates against them and does not comply with EU regulations.

These objections will need to be looked into and will delay the passage of the bill.  Nevertheless, it appears that the new law will eventually be passed, and France will join a growing number of countries that have legalized online gambling within their jurisdictions.