Cannes : the internet gambling industry and how international sites are taking part
France has since legalized and regulated all forms of gambling. Land-based casinos are allowed to host card games, betting games, sports books, among others. Nevertheless, of all the jurisdictions in France, Cannes city is of importance, why?
First of all, the city is popular for hosting the annual Cannes Film Festival which is attended based on invite-only arrangement. What is more, Cannes is associated with the high and mighty in the society. These individuals have no problem spending a part of their income on bets.
What is more, Cannes is also known for its luxurious hotels, restaurants, and conference meeting points. Then in 2011, the city also played host to G20 organization and industrialized nations. All this is evidence that the city generally has a high social status with regards to its income level. And being that France is gambling-friendly, there is no doubt that Cannes’ gambling market is somehow thriving.
How France is regulating gambling across the nation and why Cannes is thriving
It’s worth pointing out that while the gaming market in France is highly regulated, licensed gaming sites are finding it hard to stay in the market due to high taxes and excessive regulations. In fact, some statistics have since pointed out that nearly half of the internet gaming sites that acquired their licenses in 2011 have since exited this market, paving way to unlicensed gambling platforms.
The huge taxation on poker games and sports bets also affects players to some extent. This has seen players growing even more comfortable with unlicensed sites which operate in major cities like Cannes.
Fortunately, the entire nation doesn’t have laws restricting players from doing business with unlicensed platforms. This is largely a personal decision for every player. They can either choose from a wide variety of French-legal sites or other options if they decide to gamble elsewhere. And with generally high income levels associated with individuals residing in Cannes, the market is expected to continue being receptive to new ideas in internet gaming.
How gambling laws are affecting players in Cannes
The French government passed its gambling act in 2010 after it received pressure from other EU member states to end its restrictive laws on the same. They formed the regulatory authority for online gambling operations whose mandate would be to regulate online wagering within Cannes and also across the nation.
At the time, about 35 companies applied to get licensed so they could offer games such as online poker, sports betting, and race betting. This was a good thing because it brought about competition in the gaming market, thus giving players the option of choosing what was suitable for them.
Why international gambling sites are thriving in Cannes
Sites like Sugarhouse Casino have since joined the market because the Gambling act which was formed back in 2010 doesn’t allow player pool to be shared internationally. This has since led to liquidity problems among local casino sites, but not international ones. In other words, local casino sites are finding it rough to successfully run games with a limited player pool.