Microgaming, 888 Submit French Online Gaming Application

Microgaming, the worldwide leader in online gaming software, appears to be gearing up for the impending changes to the French online casino market. The company announced this week the successful submission of three significant operator applications to the National Regulatory Authority of the French (ARJEL) online gambling market, two of which are in partnership with 888 Holdings PLC. The move seems likely to develop a French poker network.

Microgaming and 888 Holdings were the first to submit applications to the ARJEL after online gambling operators were told they need to abide by a set of requirements in order to offer permitted online gambling products to French residents. Should they obtain the license, the business venture will combine Microgaming’s innovative casino software with 888’s wide variety of gambling websites with the hope of capitalizing on a fresh new marketplace, which is expected to go into effect in the coming months.

Said Microgaming CEO Roger Raatgever, “At Microgaming we stay ahead of the market and are delighted to announce that following the recent signing of a joint venture with 888, we have combined our efforts and successfully submitted operator licenses to the ARJEL. This is a milestone for us and marks the beginning of our first wave of applications, which we believe will see us rapidly establishing ourselves as market leaders in France.”

“The submission of these applications marks a step towards our launch in one of the strategically important European markets,” commented Gigi Levy, CEO of 888 Holdings. “We look forward to developing the synergies of Microgaming’s brand presence and 888’s premium offering.”

Major changes in the French market began on March 1st, when operators were issued a set of conditions to obtain a license for offering games of chance to French consumers. The list, called a Draft Specification Requirements List, was provided by the ARJEL and is composed of 11 main chapters that potential applicants have to comply with in order to obtain a license.

Applicants must provide the ARJEL with economic, accounting, and financial information, as well as a description of the applicant’s online gambling website. Details on the processing of players’ accounts must also be presented and any sub-contracted activities must be clearly mentioned, as well as all kinds of internal controls and procedures.

Earlier this month, British e-gaming operator Sportingbet and its online poker site Paradise Poker announced that, until further notice, it will no longer accept players from France due to the recent regulatory changes. Betfair, another online bookmaker based out of England, has also expressed its decision to withdraw from the French market after the enactment of the law. Following in their footsteps this week was William Hill, which is now considering whether to apply for a license.

Meanwhile, other online gaming networks are eyeing the French market and preparing to position themselves for the regulation changes. One company expected to make a submission soon is PartyGaming, which recently announced a multi-year agreement to launch ACFPoker.com in conjunction with Aviation Club De France. The transaction was the third the company has made in France in recent months. PartyGaming operates the online poker room PartyPoker.com

Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for continuing updates on the French gambling regulations.

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