France Investigates Online Casino Boss

We have all followed the developments that took place in the United States in the past six months or so, legislative and enforcement actions that have led to the eventual ban on online gambling in the country. Now that we are over with the shock that the industry has undergone and the loss of a favorite pastime of millions of members, we can take it in as a history lesson and try and see what it can teach us with regard to the future. These days, as the French are initiating some such actions themselves, if we can predict what will happen it might turn out extremely valuable.

The French have taken some actions that may lead, if taken seriously and followed through, to their own ban on sites, specifically those gambling sites that are non-state owned. Several top executives have been invited to talks that will be held later in March. Former chief of 888, John Anderson, has been invited this week. This follows arrests of executives from earlier this year.

The industry has special ties with French culture, beyond mere gambling sites. With casino logos appearing on soccer team jerseys (888 sponsored the Toulouse football club until December, and others have also had similar deals). Although the authorities may not look favorably at these ties, they are a far cry from being terrorist acts, which the government claims to be going out against. In too many aspects, the French seem to take after the US behavior. We can only hope they do not. Not for gambling sake, but for honesty sake. False claims to justify a ban will not suffice. Nor will protectionist measures be acceptable.