France: New Voluntary Online Gambling Ban

The French government has finally got around to legalizing online gaming in France and opening up the country's online gambling market to competition. French concerns over the safety of internet betting have not, however, diminished.

On the contrary, some rather bizarre measures have been taken to protect French gambling addicts from themselves: as of June 14, 2010, they can volunteer to be banned from online casinos.

Opting Out

Yes, it's strange but true - the new banning legislation has been published in France's official law book and is in force. Under the terms of the new regulations, French gamblers can apply to be barred from all forms of gambling for three years. This includes playing at online as well as bricks-and-mortar casinos.

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Gamblers must apply personally and in writing to the French Ministry of the Interior. They need to be sure though - because once the ban is in place, it cannot be reviewed or reduced until the three year period is over.

An Effective Measure?

The very essence of an addict is someone who is not in control of their own behavior; therefore only those problem gamblers who've already begun to recover would have the self-awareness or self-discipline to apply for a ban. If powers to have someone banned were extended to a friends or relatives, that would be different; however, that would be to enter a labyrinth of civil liberties issues.

All in all this seems to be more a paper exercise than practical measure to combat gambling dependency. The motivation behind the law is good, but it remains to be seen if it will work.

William Hill Jumps Ship

Addicts are not the only people opting out of online gambling in France - William Hill has announced a total pull out of its online betting and casino services in the country. The British betting provider recently announced that it was following in the footsteps of Betfair, who said the new French regulations did not provide a lucrative market situation for foreign competitors.