France Prohibits Independent Wagers
Getting Deeper into the Gambling Scene: Extended Betting, Individual Bets, and the Illegal Market
Step into the thrilling world of gambling as a prominent company plans to broaden its horizons with two innovative services: extended betting and individual bets.
The first, extended betting, aims to prolong the betting period, even during the event itself. For example, in football, bets might not stop until the final whistle blows, unlike current practices that may prohibit new bets as early as the sixth minute of the second half. Experts argue that this new approach could stir issue-ridden gambling behaviors, as emotions during the match run high and encourage impulsive betting. Plus, under certain conditions, the sheer volume of bets could threaten the safety of gambling operations and boost the number of fraud cases.
Individual bets, on the other hand, present virtually endless wagering alternatives. Beyond the basics, a player can bet on the specific score, the names of footballers who will score goals, the number of yellow cards, and so on. The coefficient for each bet is determined individually, offering unique opportunities to test your luck and skill.
However, some experts question the foundation of these bets. They argue that in certain scenarios, these bets might be based on "subjective judgments" rather than "sports knowledge." For instance, France has already banned bets that aren't sports-related, like tossing a coin or betting on the color of the referee's socks.
Now, let's discuss a concerning trend: the rise of the illegal market. French gambling operators are alarmed by this surge, which may propel their business expansion, including the introduction of extended and individual bets, to maintain their competitive edge.
Interestingly, unregulated gambling activities pose a series of threats:
- Online Casino Games Ban: France prohibits online casino games such as blackjack, roulette, and slot machines, despite allowing online sports betting and poker[5]. This prohibition pushes many French residents to engage with illegitimate platforms that lack essential consumer protections and contribute to a booming black market.
- Black Market Size: The French national gambling authority, l'Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has estimated that the black market generates impressive revenues, ranging between €748 million and €1.5 billion annually[5]. This accounts for nearly half of the country's regulated online gambling revenue.
- Consumer Risks: Participating in unregulated gambling activities leaves consumers vulnerable to fraud and exploitation, with no legal recourse or protection against unscrupulous practices[5].
- Lost Tax Revenue: The unregulated market leads to significant tax losses for France. Proposing legalizing online casinos could generate substantial tax income, contributing to the government's revenues[5].
- Harm Reduction Efforts: Efforts to minimize gambling-related harms are compromised by the illegal market's operation outside of regulated oversight[2][4].
- Impact on Regulated Market: The introduction of extended betting and individual bets could further fuel the illegal market's growth, attracting more participants and jeopardizing the regulated gambling market[2][4]. Striking a balance between innovation and regulation is crucial to curb the expansion of the illegal market and maintain a safe, fair, and competitive gambling environment.
- In the context of extended betting, the betting period could prolong, even during live events, causing concerns about potential escalation of gambling behaviors and heightened fraud cases.
- The French gambling authority has raised concerns about the rise of the illegal market, which, if left unchecked, could lead to the expansion of betting services like extended and individual bets, threatening the regulated market's competitive edge.
- The illegal market, which includes online casino games like blackjack and roulette, poses a significant threat to consumers, leaving them vulnerable to fraud, exploitation, and without legal protection.
- France stands to lose a great deal of tax revenue due to the unregulated market, with the black market generating an estimated €748 million to €1.5 billion annually, nearly half of the country's regulated online gambling revenue.
- The continuous operation of the illegal market undermines efforts to reduce gambling-related harm, as it operates outside of regulated oversight, jeopardizing the safety and integrity of the entire gambling landscape.
