France Issues Online Gaming Licenses

After a long wait, France issued 11 online gaming licenses this week, just in time for the beginning of the World Cup in South Africa.

Arjel, the national online gaming authority, said the 11 operators - 10 of which are locally based companies - could begin accepting bets by Wednesday, two days before the commencement of the world's biggest sporting tournament.

The licenses were given a month after the successful passage of a law that ended the state monopoly on gambling, which had lasted for around half-a-century.

Austrian-based company Bwin, Europe's largest online gaming site, was the only foreign operator to be awarded one of the licenses.

The other 10 operators given licenses on June 8 were: BetClic, Beturf, BES SAS, EverestPoker, France Pari, La Francaise des Jeux, Lliad Gaming, Pari Mutuel Urbain, SPS Betting, and Table 14.

Many other big names in the industry are now waiting in the hope that they will obtain licenses in the next round.

Microgaming, the world's largest provider of online gaming software, has submitted three operator applications to Arjel, two in conjunction with 888 Holdings PLC.

"At Microgaming we stay ahead of the market and are delighted to announced that following the recent signing of a joint venture with 888, we have combined our efforts and successfully submitted operator licenses to the Arjel," Microgaming CEO Roger Raatgever said, adding that he sees the company "rapidly establishing" its position as a market leader in France.