France Wants New Legislation on Social Gaming
Several debates in regard to the introduction of new gaming solutions for smartphones, tablets or social network have raised the interest of France casino operators, which are expecting that this fast-growing industry will be properly legalized for both gaming and gambling purposes. Thus, several skill games, including poker, would no longer be prohibited by the ARJEL, the internet gaming regulator in France.
Instead, the French regulatory framework shows that gambling games refer to those types of games in which chance prevails over skill, like those created by slot developers, while skill games are those in which skill predominates over chance. Furthermore, a game of skill is defined as one which does not meet the condition of chance, for they rely only on the player’s aptitudes and do not offer any pay-out.
A new amendment to the current law is expected to see any type of game partially depending on chance and generating any kind of financial sacrifice to become prohibited. Thus, any type of game which involves the action of gaining financial advantage will be prohibited by law, including sports challenges and any other type of gambling game. The French government wants to introduce this amendment so that skill games will not be able to enter the market as gambling games. By doing so, the government seeks to combat money laundering and fraud.