Playtech Casinos exit France

Following the withdrawal of William Hill from the French gambling market it seems that all Playtech Casino brands have withdrawn from this market due to legislation that has been enacted in recent times. The French have copied the Italian model and have essentially gone about the licensing route whereby they have provided a number of licences to operators so that they are able to take play from French gamblers.

We have been advised that as of midnight last night all play on Playtech Casinos from French players has been barred. There are a number of Playtech Casino rooms that do very well out of the French market and it seems that they are going to have to either focus on other markets or apply for a gambling licence for the French gambling market.

The only objectors to the current French online gambling bill were the Maltese. This is a predictable objection as Malta has built an industry out of offering gambling companies a EU licence. This in the past has allowed companies to market through out the European Union.

Now that Italy and France have regulated their home markets we predict that this will be what we see happening in more countries sooner rather than later. It does make the Maltese gambling licence a bit obsolete.

The same thing is currently being debated in regards to legalising Internet Poker in California with the State Senate currently working on a bill to legalise poker at 3 hub operators and criminalise play at other venues.

How does this affect gamblers though?

It does mean that your choice of venue will be more limited. It means that gamblers will have to play at state approved venues only and that every bit of gambling that takes place will be monitored and reported to the state.

If you happen to have a very big win you might be taxed on the win if that is the prevailing law in your region. It also means that online gaming is not the Wild West as it once had the reputation of being.

Major companies have large stakes  in ensuring that things are done properly these days, gone will be the days of players complaining re lack of response and slow payment or even no payment at all. Well that is the theory behind it .It seems that regulation will make is safer for players and that the state will get its piece of the pie.

Written for Online Keno by Greg.