We need lower taxes, says French online gambling regulator

France’s online gambling regulatory chief, Jean-Francois Vilotte, briefed the French newspaper Les Echos on the state of French online gambling this week, noting that sports betting – mainly on football – now generates 60 percent of the wagering action in France.

Online sports betting revenue – generated mainly through football wagering – soared 20 percent to Euro 63.4 million, whilst revenues for online pari mutuel horse racing rose 3 percent to Euro 103 million, although the regulator cautioned that there were signs that this activity had tapered off in recent weeks.

Online poker cash games have delivered lower gross profits – down 14 percent to Euro 61.2 million for the 12-month period to May 2013, but tournament fees have remained stable at Euro 41 million.

Vilotte once again called for a more lenient tax regime, an appeal that will be supported by many operators; he suggested that the current taxation based on wagers placed be replaced by one of gross gaming revenues, making the business a more attractive proposition for operators.

“The French online gaming industry has well and truly established itself and, as expected, has consolidated,” said Vilotte.

“By way of comparison, gross gaming revenues for the sector were Euro 188 million in the first quarter in France, compared with Euro 145 million in Italy. The sector was down only 1 percent in France compared to a drop of 14 percent in Italy.

Vilotte said there had been little discernible progress on harmonisation of regulations in European Union nations.