The Remote Gambling Association has today threatened to take legal action against the French government over their proposed online gambling bill, should the legislation be upheld in the country's Senate next week.

The French have been roundly criticized in recent years for the increasing protection afforded to their betting monopolies, the PMU and FDJ. In response to the mounting pressure, they revealed plans last October to regulate the industry, however their proposal was riddled with conditions and restrictions which would make the situation worse for consumers, not better.

The new French plans include a monumental  duty tax of 15.5% on horseracing pools and 8.5% on sports betting, which would make the market highly unattractive to foreign operators who would struggle to make a profit as a result. Furthermore, betting exchanges would be banned (don't ask us why) and so too would fixed-odds betting on horseracing.

The French are attempting to pull the wool over everyone's eyes and fortunately the RGA, the EGBA and not to mention ourselves, are simply not buying it.

They are claiming to be opening up their market, to reduce the power  and market share of the monopolies, however their proposed plans will only strengthen the position of these unlawful establishments since it will increase the products they can offer, while at the same time ensuring that competitors are not forthcoming, all while falling into line with EU regulations.

Surely the EU Commission will recognize this cunning plot and respond accordingly? We would hope so, although unfortunately, as seen in recent times, the EU Court rooms can be sympathetic places for protectionist Member States.

Ultimately, as is often the case, consumers will lose out. French citizens will be robbed of the chance to bet with a wide range of operators and the products they have available to them will be inferior too.

Anyone who wants to argue that the French monopolies are giving citizens a better deal only needs to glance at our Charity Betting Challenge feature.

After 10 weeks of betting - betting €10 each week - FDJ players would have made €66 less onthe same wagers than those EU citizens free to bet with Private operators.

Their profit is 40% less than their European neighbours because the odds that they are being offered by their state monopolies are far inferior when compared to other licensed, legal EU operators.

A major worry of the RGA is that if the French legislation is approved domestically and by the EU Commission, it could set an example to other Member States who could follow suit.

RGA Chief Executive Clive Hawkswood said: "It's time to lay our cards on the table. The sports-betting regulations are just not workable. Our members think we have nothing to lose, but also feared that if unchallenged, other member states might follow the French example."

He went on to say: "Tax is certainly one of the issues. Not being able to offer fixed odds on horseracing is another. Then there is the issue of capping the return to players. The disparity between what will be on offer in France and what is available elsewhere is huge. And enforcement is very difficult."

The EGBA are also planning to take the fight to France. Their Secretary General Sigrid Ligne said: "From the beginning, we had identified several aspects of the text that we felt make no sense, and also that they were contradicting EU law."

It's now more important than ever that the right2bet campaign reaches as many people as possible, urging them to sign our petition and pressurize the powers at be to start protecting the consumer.

Help us out by joining our campaign on Facebook, by tweeting about us on Twitter and by sending an Email to your MEP.

We will of course keep you fully up to date as this situation progresses.