Things Heat Up at French Casino Market

Posted 17 May 2009 in Latest News

European Casino Companies Continue Their Campaign in France Despite Warnings from Budget Minister Eric Woerth

As the liberalization of the French online casino market is nearing, so does the competition intensify among private European casino operators. No matter how much they want to advertise their online casinos, France’s Budget Minister Eric Woerth reminds them that online gaming advertisements of any sort remain illegal until the new legislation regarding online gambling and sports betting is implemented in 2010.

Early this week, casino company Unibet has announced its partnership with radio station Radio Monte Carlo, with a €1 million contract running the whole year. The said company also invested another €1 million into a reality TV show regarding sport and poker, to be aired by NT1. It also sealed a partnership with the Metro newspaper.

Another casino company, BetClic, is negotiating with radio station Europe 1. Currently, advertising campaigns are being aired in the said radio station. Both Unibet and BetClic are also targeting the football sponsorship arena, aside from gaming online.

Though advertisements regarding online games like online blackjack and online roulette are considered illegal, casino companies still maintain that whay they are doing is not illegal.

Both Unibet and the European Gaming & Betting Association (EGBA) also maintain that advertising in France by European operators is not illegal.