Recently in France Category

The Right2bet World Cup Report, published last week, has evoked a strong reaction across the online gambling industry, with consumers, consumer groups and operators all coming forward to comment on the report's findings.

The report exclusively revealed that European gambling monopolies offered their customers, on average, 32% worse odds during the World Cup than private and licensed betting operators, and the response across Europe has been one of shock and dismay.

Consumers across Europe contacted Right2bet to voice their reaction to the report.

Julien Beaudet in France said: "As a French player I now feel extremely limited and frustrated with regards to my playing experience. Consumers have been totally denigrated by the supposed French 'liberalisation' and it is totally unfair."

David Atkins of Amsterdam commented: "It never ceases to amaze me how monopolies like De Lotto get away with such blatant exploitation of customers.  This report shows first-hand how much people in the Netherlands and many other EU countries are losing out and I hope it acts as a catalyst to drive the change we need to enable free and fair access to online private operators."

Luca Pappalardo, Chairman of Italian Consumer group ACOGI, said: "We strongly agree with and applaud the output of this report. Even in Member States like Italy where there is no monopoly, the high burdens and barriers to entry make it almost impossible for many operators and as a result, Italian consumers are punished."

Martin Arendts, a prominent online gambling lawyer in Germany, told Right2bet: "A level playing field between state operators and licensed private operators would give customers freedom of choice and would prohibit unfair monopoly gains. With fair competition customers would get a far better value for their money."

Operators too were quick to comment on the report:

Ciaran O'Brien, Head of PR at Ladbrokes commented: "Consumer freedom and choice is at the heart of fundamental EU principles, yet as the Right2bet report shows, millions of Europeans are being denied the choice and the value that healthy competition provides. We urge the Commission to study the findings of the report and do more to rectify the unjust balance that exists between EU citizens living within different Member States."

Tim Phillips, Director of European Public Affairs at Betfair said: "An open and fairly regulated European gambling market is the best way of ensuring that all European consumers are getting the best value in a safe and transparent online environment. The Right2bet report shows quite clearly that consumers are the ultimate losers in Member States where gambling monopolies exist."
 
Right2bet spokesman Mike Robb was delighted with the widespread appreciation of the report.  He said: "I am pleased that the startling results of the report have reached individuals and groups within the online gambling world across Europe. We now urge the European Commission to study the findings and do more to rectify an unjust situation that is to the detriment of millions of European consumers."

Liberalisation of the French online betting market has become farcical over the last few weeks.  We have always condemned the reforms, which we all know are the French seeking to appear like they are opening up when in reality all they are doing is supporting the positions of their domestic providers, but the realities are only just starting to hit home.

We heard today that because things have been so rushed to get the regime in place before the World Cup, French citizens are likely to be unable to receive any of their winnings until the end of the tournament.  This is all due to archaic registration and verification rules that have been put in place, meaning that a user can only withdraw winnings after they have validated an account via a code sent by mail to their home address.

This requirement doesn't help anyone, which is why we are so surprised by it.  It is obviously something that is a major inconvenience to the consumer, it increases the burden on the operators themselves and, ironically, it achieves nothing for the authorities in terms of verification that couldn't have been achieved electronically.

As we have been saying since the first moment these reforms were put in motion, the burden placed on operators makes it extremely difficult for anyone but the two monopolies, PMU and FDJ, to enter the French market, certainly if it has any ambition of running at a profit - something that is a clear disincentive to competition, whether we like it or not.  This registration-by-post requirement is just another unnecessary example and adds to the list of disincentives, both for private operators to enter the market and for consumers themselves to partake in it.

The ambition to have the regime in place for the World Cup has meant that there were just three weeks to review and award sports betting licences in time for Friday's big kick off, with results of that period expected tomorrow.

It is beyond belief that this kind of thing can be allowed to happen.  How can newly-licensed operators be given three days to get up-and-running in time for the biggest sporting event the world has ever seen and be expected to compete on the same level as the long-established FDJ?
 
It is a disgrace.  We hope all French consumers who like a bet online sign our petition and add their voice to the thousands who have already voiced their anger at this unbelievable situation.

William Hill are the latest big-name company to stop accepting bets from France following the adoption of the new online gaming law earlier this month.

William Hill Online are considering whether or not to apply for a licence in the country and in the interim are to stop French-based consumers from using the site.

A company statement on Wednesday said: "In conjunction with the changes to the regulatory regime in France, William Hill Online is considering whether to apply for a licence to offer permitted online gambling products to French residents."

This is another damning blow to French consumers.  The withdrawal of companies like William Hill from the market means they have access to an ever-decreasing number of providers, meaning less competition, less value, less choice and, ultimately, the need to look beyond the confines of EU-based operators for the choice consumers crave.

As we have said for some time, legislative change like the French have brought in serves to cause the very thing the authorities are seeking to avoid.  Consumers will be forced to bet with unlicensed operators from far flung fields, where the need to protect the consumer, prevent crime and underage gambling, amongst other things, is given scant attention.

If you have not done so already, please sign our petition and encourage your friends to do the same.

Right2bet, qui regroupe les consommateurs qui militent en faveur d'un accès équitable au jeux et paris en ligne en Europe, fait part de sa colère au sujet de la réforme française du jeu et des paris en ligne.
 
La réforme, promulguée le 13 mai, offre la possibilité à des opérateurs privés d'acquérir une licence pour exercer leurs activités mais seulement sous certaines conditions.

Ces conditions, qui incluent une taxation élevée de leur chiffre d'affaires, sont perçues comme excessives et il est probable que de nombreux opérateurs s'abstiennent, en conséquence, de postuler à une licence française. Dans ce cas, ces opérateurs seront inclus dans le dispositif de blocage des adresses IP qui a également été prévu par la loi.

Gary Mullen, responsable de la campagne Right2bet, estime que la logique derrière cette réforme est simple : "C'est une tentative du gouvernement français de présenter ses lois comme conformes aux dispositions européennes sur la libre circulations des biens et des services, alors qu'en fait il s'agit de sauver les monopoles d'Etat existants en érigeant des barrières et en créant des restrictions draconiennes pour tous les opérateurs qui souhaiterait s'implanter en France."

Dans le passé, des mouvements comme Right2bet ont exposé le fait que l'existence de monopoles d'Etats contrevient au règles fondamentales de l'Union Européenne. En dépit de la possibilité pour des opérateurs étrangers de postuler à une licence licence française, Right2bet, entre autres organisations, estime que la concurrence sur le marché français ne sera pas réelle et que les principaux perdants de cette situation seront les joueurs et les parieurs français.

Gary Mullen explique : "Right2bet a démontré que les joueurs qui parient avec des opérateurs privés bénéficient de cotes sensiblement plus avantageuses que ceux qui jouent avec le monopole français.

"Non seulement les joueurs français vont être pénalises par un choix limité et des conditions moins avantageuses mais il vont également subir d'une protection moindre. En effet, le blocage des adresses IP d'opérateurs sans licence s'est toujours soldé par un échec notoire dans le passé. Les opérateurs qui choisiront de contourner le blocage IP, contrairement à ceux qui choisiront de respecter la loi française sans pour autant y souscrire, seront donc peu susceptibles d'exercer un niveau élevé de responsabilité sociale pour la protection des joueurs français.

"Le résultat est que le blocage des adresses IP aura l'effet inverse de ce qu'en attendent les autorités françaises, avec l'émergence et la croissance d'un marché illégal, opéré par des acteurs irresponsables... Les joueurs français seront ainsi les premières victimes de cette politique.

Right2bet souhaite réagir à cette situation. Nous encourageons le plus grand nombre d'individus possible à signer notre pétition qui sera communiquée aux responsables politiques à Paris et à Bruxelles, et de se faire ainsi entendre. Pour signer, il vous faut simplement vous rendre sur  www.right2bet.net et ajouter votre nom aux milliers d'autres qui ont déjà exprimé leur opposition à ce qui ce déroule aujourd'hui en France et ailleurs au sein de l'Union Européenne.

Le project de loi concernant les jeux en ligne a été adopté par l'Assemblée Nationale, ne tenant aucunement compte de sa compatibilité avec les lois Européennes ; et il ne l'est clairement pas.

Le projet de loi a été adopté avec 299 voix contre 233 et devrait entrer en application dans les 2 semaines à venir.

Cette reforme a été attaquée de toutes parts ainsi que par de nombreux membres de l'association right2bet. Pourquoi ? Tout simplement parce que cette réforme n'en est pas vraiment une et elle ne vise qu'à renforcer le monopole de sociétés telles que le Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) et la Française des Jeux (FDJ).

Les autorités françaises ont toujours insisté pour avoir cette loi adopte avant le début de la Coupe du Monde de football cet été, et cela nous a conduit a une situation grotesque ou seuls les monopoles d'Etat (PMU et FDJ) seront légalement capable d'accepter les paris relatifs à cet événement. En effet, les operateurs prives n'auront pas le temps matériel de réunir tous les documents nécessaires a l'obtention d'une licence.

La Remote Gambling Association, qui représente de nombreux operateurs privés européens, mentionne un système vicié et tout particulièrement avec les paris sportifs en ligne. Remarquez, c'est le résultat auquel les autorités françaises voulaient arriver, donc nous ne devrions pas être surpris.

Ce projet de loi rend très difficile pour un operateur ayant une licence dans la Communauté Européenne et domicilié en dehors du territoire français de mener une activité profitable. Une rumeur fait état du fait que de nombreuses sociétés devront cesser d'offrir leurs services sur le territoire français afin d'être en accord avec la nouvelle loi, renforçant le manque de choix, qualité et sécurité qui existe actuellement.

Une étude menée durant les derniers mois par right2bet a démontrée que les consommateurs français ont été spoliés. En effet après 18 mois d'étude, il apparait qu'un consommateur aurait gagne 399.30€ après avoir placé un pari de 10€ par semaine sur le vainqueur d'un match de football important avec l'operateur privé proposant les meilleures offres. En plaçant les mêmes paris avec la Française des Jeux (FDJ), les gains auraient été de 305.50€ maximum.

Oui, les consommateurs français vont continuer à être victimes de cette loi. Ils vont continuer à recevoir en moyenne 24% de gains en moins que les autres consommateurs européens ayant accès au libre marché.

Right2bet est bien décidé à faire quelque chose a ce sujet. Signez notre pétition des aujourd'hui et faites entendre votre voix.

We are sorry to report yet more bad news.  French reform of online betting passed the country's National Assembly yesterday, ignoring any concerns about whether or not it will be compatible with EU law, which it clearly is not.

The legislation was passed by 299-233 votes and should become law within the next two weeks.

The reforms have come under attack from a wide-range of sources, none more so than here at right2bet and the many members we represent.  Why?  Because this is not reform, it is an attempt to look like reform whilst continuing to shore up the state monopolies and domestic providers, most notably the Pari-Mutual Urbain (PMU) and Francaise des Jeux (FDJ).

It has always been the aim of the French authorities to force reform through in time for the Football World Cup this summer, and doing so has led to a farcical situation whereby only the state monopolies will be legally allowed to accept bets on the tournament as there is not enough time for private operators to apply for a licence.

The Remote Gambling Association, a group that represents many of the European Union's private operators, said the system that has been passed is 'seriously flawed', particularly with sports betting.  Mind you, that was exactly what the French authorities set out to achieve, so perhaps we shouldn't be surprised.

The reform makes it extremely difficult for licensed EU operators based outside French borders to operate at a profit.  It is rumoured that many companies will be forced to cease offering any services to French citizens in order to comply with the law, meaning the lack of choice, value and protection that those based in France currently experience will only continue.

Our very own right2bet betting challenge has shown over the past few months that French consumers are getting robbed of bigger odds and better value.  After 18 weeks of the challenge, you would have made €399.30 if you had placed €10/week on the winner of a big football match with the best-priced private operator.  Had you made exactly the same bet with FDJ, you would be a meagre €305.50 better off.

Yes, French consumers will continue to be the victim in this way.  They will continue to receive 24% less winnings than other EU citizens who have access to the benefits the free market offers.

Right2bet wants to do something about this.  Click here to sign our petition today and add your voice to the cause.

The right2bet weekly blog launched on the GX website last week, and the second post is now online.

In this week's blog for GX we spoke about the Real Madrid v Lyon shirt sponsor debacle from a couple of weeks ago, when Lyon were banned from wearing BetClic on their shirts but Madrid were allowed to wear bwin.  It was a crazy situation and one that highlights the madness around EU betting regulations more than most in recent times.

To read that latest post click here.

And if you've not done so yet, please sign the petition, tell your friends about the campaign, join our group on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.  Then use all those channels to spread the word!

This weekend the betting challenge went (in mind not body, unfortunately) to sunny Spain for a look at the Barcelona v Valencia match-up.

It was a huge game for Barca, who had to win to keep up with Real Madrid.  It's no surprise, therefore, that the Catalan giants raised their game and came away with a 3-0 victory against third-placed Valencia, who can now definitely forget any hope of a top two finish.

It was a short-odds victory this week, but yet again we see you, the betting public, losing out as a result of archaic and protectionist laws.  Here's the result in numbers:

Odds on a Barca win:
FDJ (Fra): 1.35
De Lotto (Ned): 1.25
Svenska Spel (Swe): 1.38
Danske Spil (Den): 1.35
Lotto Bayern (Ger): 1.35
Best Private Operator: 1.42

Profit on a €10 bet on a draw:
FDJ: €3.50
De Lotto: €2.50
Svenska Spel: €3.80
Danske Spil: €3.50
Lotto Bayern: €3.50
Best Private Operator: €4.20

Profit From Challenge So Far:

(After 17 Weeks)
FDJ: €290.50
De Lotto: €294.50
Best Private Operator: €383.70

(After 12 Weeks)

Svenska Spel: €225.10
Danske Spil: €252
Lotto Bayern: €227
Best Private Operator: €308.70

So not a massive difference this week as Barcelona were always fancied to come away from this one with a vicotyr, by both monopolies and private operators alike.

One obvious point this weekend is The Netherlands, where De Lotto shows how out of touch it is with the rest of Europe's monopolies, let alone the private operators, offering a measly 1.25, compared with 1.35 from the next-worst monopoly and 1.42 from the private sector.

Sign our petition today, and add your name to the fight for freedom of choice in the EU. We need your support and with it, we're confident of making our voices heard.

A Senate hearing on Tuesday looked at ways in which the French authorities could make it more difficult for operators not licensed in France from offering their products to French citizens.

They are now looking at adding wording to the new gambling bill, set to 'open up' the market in time for the World Cup this summer, that makes it illegal for any French-based company from taking advertising or even simply linking to certain sites.

Those sites based inside France, including multi-nationals with French subsidiares, notably Google, found to be 'aiding and abetting' (no pun intended) foreign operators could face fines of up to €100,000.

This is just another example of the French bill being a facade.  They want to appear like they are liberalising their market, to fit in with EU rules, but clearly they are going to make it as hard as possible for foreign operators to offer their services to value-deprived French citizens, and are even looking to make it difficult for those who do apply for a French license.

At what point is someone going to wake up and say 'enough is enough'?  Don't wait for someone else to do it, sign our petition today and add your voice to the thousands of EU citizens already calling for fairness in online gambling.

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.