French Poker Ring Fence To Be Resolved

RESOLUTION OF POKER LIQUIDITY PROBLEM IN FRANCE JUST A SIGNATURE AWAY
 
State president has 15 days to sign off on legalization authorizing poker player pool sharing.
 
Reports in the French media indicate that one of the problems hobbling the French online poker industry – a ring-fenced market that prohibits player sharing with other nations – could be resolved in the near future.
 
Our readers will recall that for some time now the French regulator ARJEL has been holding collaborative talks with other European nations, and has repeatedly urged politicians to lift the restriction on player sharing, so essential to developing viable online poker liquidity.
 
In May this year the French Senate finally gave its approval in an amendment that read rather cumbersomely:
 
"The online gaming regulatory authority may allow an operator holding a license under Article 21 to offer poker players with a verified account on a site subject to accreditation to participate in circle games as defined in the first paragraph with the players holding an account on a site subject to approval by a member State of the European Union or State party to the agreement on the European Economic Area."
 
That has been followed by the news this week that the French Digital Bill (Project de loi pour une République numérique) has now been finalized and referred to French president François Hollande for signature into law.
 
According to the French media Hollande has 15 days to sign or veto, and the indications thus far are positive.
 
The measure apparently includes anti-problem gambling provisions and – interestingly – eSports regulatory requirements.