Gambling: Key legalization passes on first reading in the French Senate

2/26/10 – Legislation drafted to open up the French online gambling market moved forward another step this week, passing through the French Senate on a first reading with a positive vote of 181 to 140.
 
March 30 will be the next milestone for the law, when it returns to the National Assembly for a second reading. Thereafter, assuming it successfully passes, it will be referred to the European Union, the French Supreme Court and the French Constitutional Council before being signed into law by the President.
 
French Budget Minister Eric Woerth told French media ahead of the Senate vote that he is confident that the law will be in effect by June 1st, a key business date in view of the World Cup football kicking off in South Africa later that month.