French regulator ARJEL has begun to send warnings to operators it believes are continuing to take bets from French customers despite new legislation. The warnings, a pre-cursor to applications to have sites blocked or even criminal prosecution, have been sent to an estimated nineteen operators, with twelve thought to have been passed on for prosecution.

The move is an attempt to curb the huge amount of activity going on outside the licensed regime, and an acknowledgement that the number of applications for licences under new French law have been disappointing.

Despite the so-called 'controlled opening' of the online gambling market in June of this year, high taxes, set-up costs and a restricted product offering have resulted in few licensed European operators applying and as a result the options for French consumers are thing on the ground.

Back in 2008 the government predicted it would receive up to 200 applications for licences under the new regime.  The figure has been revised steadily downwards to 50 earlier this year and the number of applications so far is just short of this figure.  This is in stark contrast to the 2700 sites which a recent study by Francis Merlin estimated will be targeting the French market  http://www.igaming-monaco.com/resources/press/3_dossjeuxilleg_fr_light.pdf. Clearly ARJEL has a very long way to go before it makes any real impression on the black market.

The lack of appetite for a French license amongst many foreign operators has fortified the positions of local monopolies the PMU and FDJ,  a situation which continues to  leave French punters with a distinct lack of choice and value.

Right2bet is looking to hear from French punters who want to uphold their rights under EU law and be allowed access to good odds from reputable providers.  Please get in touch with us via email and do not forget to sign our petition.