Jake Pollard
iCasino working groups are anticipated to persist, but there will be ongoing uncertainty until a new government is appointed. Industries, including the iCasino sector, are closely watching the developments surrounding President Macron’s administration.
France’s online gambling industry is awaiting President Macron’s choice for a new Prime Minister to form a government after Michel Barnier stepped down. Barnier’s administration was the first to lose a confidence vote since 1962 after a motion led by the hard-left group La France Insoumise, with the support of the hard-right Rassemblement National, refused the 2025 budget proposal.
In a recent television appearance, Macron, who has been seeking a new Prime Minister since mid-November, promised to appoint a successor to Barnier as soon as possible.
Avoiding a Leadership Gap
Macron is also hoping to prevent a repeat of the last summer’s three-month period without a government following the snap elections he initiated. If a new government is quickly established, legislators have until December 11 to propose a fresh budget, although this seems improbable.
If the budget proposal isn’t submitted on time, the 2024 budget will be passed through a special law, with planning for a 2025 budget starting early next year.
Businesses across France are nervously awaiting President Macron’s next steps. However, using last year’s budget could alleviate some concerns for online sports betting and poker companies, who would avoid the tax increase planned in Barnier’s budget framework. A new budget would also offer a chance for these companies to oppose tax hikes and push for online casino regulation.
Industry insiders informed Gaming&Co that committees reviewing online casino regulations are expected to proceed with their work. However, it’s too soon to predict how the political changes could impact these efforts. A government led by left-wing parties is seen by many as a challenging prospect for the gaming industry.
Due to France’s urgent need for tax revenue to manage public debt, the government had considered online casinos as a potential source of €1 billion. Yet, political instability may continue to characterize the situation until at least next summer, the earliest possible time for new elections.
