French court backs free markets

The European Betting and Gaming Association (EGBA) said it is "delighted" by a decision by a French judicial court verifying the government's commitment to respecting European Union (EU) law.

According to the EGBA the Court of Appeal of Versailles' statement calls into question French gaming legislation and its compatibility with EU law. It now places the French government in the position of having to justify its current online gaming regulations that restrict non-French gambling companies, including online bingo halls and online bingo operators, from accessing the French market.

The European Court of Justice has previously ruled that gambling businesses operating in one EU country can offer its products and services throughout the EU and that restrictions are only applicable for reasons of public interest.

Sigrid Ligné, Secretary General of the EGBA said: "We are delighted with this decision. It is an important one and comes in the general context of the commitment taken by the French authorities to propose a controlled opening of the French gaming market by March 2008."

EU members still running state gambling monopolies are being placed under pressure by the European Commission to uphold free trade of goods and services between member nations. UK-based online bingo games operators are currently restricted from a number of EU countries due to state-run gaming monopolies.