The future of seven gambling clubs in Paris is in doubt amid political turmoil in France. The pilot project that introduced the “cercles de jeux” back in 2018 ends on December 31.
But with just two weeks to go, no steps have been taken to extend the clubs’ legal status. That means the gambling clubs will effectively cease to be legal on January 1.
Casinos in France are traditionally located in tourist towns away from Paris. The Parisian circles de jeux were introduced in a pilot project to test the waters for land-based gambling in the capital. They are allowed to offer table games, but not roulette or slots.
The idea was to make their status permanent after their impact was assessed. But while the pilot is generally considered a success, including by the Interior Ministry, the necessary legislation to allow them to continue operating has not been passed due to the dissolution of the National Assembly by President Emmanuel Macron. The law, which would give the clubs permanent legal status, requires a draft budget to be formalised, but MPs rejected the government’s proposed budget last month.
As clubs scramble to find a way to continue operating in the hope of a last-minute deal, around 1,500 jobs are at risk. The uncertainty has already forced PokerStars Flutter to cancel its Paris European Poker Tour match, which was due to take place at the Club Barrière in February. It said it had “no other option” but hoped to return to the venue in the future.
Gregory Rabouel, CEO of Groupe Barrière Groupe and chairman of trade body Casinos de France, said:
But with just two weeks to go, no steps have been taken to extend the clubs’ legal status. That means the gambling clubs will effectively cease to be legal on January 1.
Casinos in France are traditionally located in tourist towns away from Paris. The Parisian circles de jeux were introduced in a pilot project to test the waters for land-based gambling in the capital. They are allowed to offer table games, but not roulette or slots.
The idea was to make their status permanent after their impact was assessed. But while the pilot is generally considered a success, including by the Interior Ministry, the necessary legislation to allow them to continue operating has not been passed due to the dissolution of the National Assembly by President Emmanuel Macron. The law, which would give the clubs permanent legal status, requires a draft budget to be formalised, but MPs rejected the government’s proposed budget last month.
As clubs scramble to find a way to continue operating in the hope of a last-minute deal, around 1,500 jobs are at risk. The uncertainty has already forced PokerStars Flutter to cancel its Paris European Poker Tour match, which was due to take place at the Club Barrière in February. It said it had “no other option” but hoped to return to the venue in the future.
Gregory Rabouel, CEO of Groupe Barrière Groupe and chairman of trade body Casinos de France, said:
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