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The French government has licensed eleven companies to conduct online betting on sports, horse racing and poker. The companies now open to French business include the state-run Francaise des Jeux, Pari Mutuel Urbain, Iliad Gaming, Sajoo, Betclic, Beturf, BES SS, Everest Gaming, France Pari, SPS Betting France and Table 14.
The official licenses came after new regulation from the French government made certain kinds of online gambling legal breaking the strangehold of state-run group Francaise de Jeux and PMU.
It appears that legislation was just in time for the start of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa an event that is expected to bring in some of the biggest sports bets of the year. French players who wish to place their bets on the matches can now legally do so at any Everest Casino or Betclic site.
A number of major gambling companies are currently seeking licensing from the French government. A few of biggest ones include BWIN, Partygaming, Mangas Gaming and Pokerstars. Critics worry that many companies may be shut out of the lucrative market as the extent of the market liberalization remains inadequate what with online companies being shut out of low-risk casino games like blackjack, roulette and lotto.
For now though online companies will just have to remain content with the progress they have made. The French market is opening up and those who have been licensed should see plenty of profits.
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