France Moves to Legalize Online Casinos Amid Controversy

The government's proposal to legalize online casinos faces backlash from addiction specialists and traditional casinos fearing job losses.

The French government has introduced an amendment to legalize online casinos as part of the 2025 budget, aligning with most EU countries.
Addiction specialists criticize the move as irresponsible, citing an increase in problematic gambling behaviors in France.
Traditional casinos warn that the legalization could result in significant revenue losses and the closure of up to 30% of establishments, risking 15,000 jobs.
The government argues that legalizing online casinos could help curb illegal gambling and generate significant tax revenue, estimated at up to 1 billion euros annually.
A specific regulatory framework is proposed to address addiction risks, developed in collaboration with the National Gaming Authority and other stakeholders.