While Massachusetts U.S. Senator Barney Frank and his Democratic cohorts mull changes to the Health Reform Bill which is facing considerable public opposition, the bill to void the online gambling ban in the United States has been tabled until November.  As the world remains on edge with developments in Iran and Israel, U.S. politicians have good reason to hold off on the gambling bill and deal with more pressing matters.  However, this is not adding any revenue to the U.S. tax base and, certainly, it is not welcomed warmly by the betting public in America.

In France, there is also action on the online gambling front.  The French Parliament is ready to vote on an online gambling bill that would open up Internet gambling to the country of France.  The people in France are particularly interested in sports gambling and poker play. This would be music to the ears of online gambling operators in the U.K and in other European countries.

The current monopoly on the gambling services by two French companies prevents the online gambling firms which trade their stocks on public markets from offering sports betting, poker or casino games to French residents.  This bill, presently before the French Parliament, would allow sports betting and poker to be offered to the people of France by foreign online gambling companies.  Of course, these foreign online gambling companies will have to pass through an application and approval process, and online casinos and other games of chance will remain off-limits for the present time.

This online gambling bill is seen as an opportunity for such licensed operators as Will Hill, which currently has avoided France to keep away from legal issues.  The proposed gambling legislation in France would allow operators to tap into the burgeoning French market.  However, it should be noted that thousands of online gambling companies, run by offshore islands operators, already offer services to French residents, despite the legal situation.  French officials are well aware that they are losing out on these revenues, which go directly to the offshore companies. 

By opening up to sports betting and poker, French authorities hope to capitalize on the sporting interest which is blossoming in France.  The fact that France is looking to regulate instead of ban Internet gambling is a welcomed sign for the online gambling industry.