The French Casino Association recently opposed the view that the legalization of online casinos could reduce illegal activities and increase tax revenue, pointing out that it may cause public financial losses and emphasizing the employment and social value of physical casinos. The association refuted related revenue loss claims, believing that legalization would exacerbate the illegal market problem.
Revenue Loss Controversy
The French Casino Association questioned the claim that the legalization of online casinos could bring net benefits, stating that it could lead to a loss of more than 500 million euros in public funds annually. The association's chairman, Gregory Labour, stated that the claimed 1.2 billion euros in revenue losses do not exist and accused this claim of being a "scam" that could lead to increased health and social costs.
Impact on Physical Casinos
The association warned that the legalization of online casinos would lead to massive unemployment and business closures, affecting the current 203 casinos and 7 gaming clubs, which employ 31,000 workers and contribute 1.6 billion euros in taxes annually. The industry also provides more than 600 million euros in resources to local governments, and legalization could weaken these economic ties.
International Experience and Safety Comparison
The association cited cases from countries like Sweden, pointing out that after the legalization of online gambling, physical casinos disappeared, but illegal gambling activities still accounted for nearly 40%. Meanwhile, physical casinos were described as a safer option, able to screen players and manually monitor to prevent gambling addiction, while online gambling cannot provide the same level of protection, ensuring that gambling activities are controlled and integrated into the community.
