Paris’s gaming clubs, known as “Clubs de Jeux,” face an imminent shutdown on December 31 due to legislative delays following the collapse of the Barnier government earlier this year. The clubs, which operate under a special experimental phase, are set to lose their legal framework as efforts to extend their authorization remain stalled.
The clubs, established in 2019 under strict regulations to replace the city’s banned casinos, have contributed significantly to the economy. In 2023 alone, they generated €119 million ($124.97 million) in gross gaming revenue, with approximately €40 million going to the state. The closure threatens 1,500 jobs and puts major gaming events, including the European Championship of Poker and the PokerStars European Poker Tour Paris, in jeopardy.
“This is an economic and social catastrophe. It’s psychologically tough for the teams. We are completely in the dark,” said Christine Bonneau, managing director of Club Barrière.
The impending closure stems from the June dissolution of the French National Assembly, which left the Finance Bill—required to extend the gaming clubs’ experimental phase—unaddressed. Without a functioning government or legal framework, stakeholders warn that reopening the clubs in 2025 could take four to six months.
Efforts to prevent closure have faced roadblocks. While a “special law” aimed at securing the 2025 budget is set to be debated in Parliament, it does not include provisions for gaming clubs.
Industry stakeholders remain pessimistic about the chances of a new bill on gaming clubs before the end of the year. Legalizing online casinos was also considered in the Finance Bill but ultimately abandoned.
Supporters argue the clubs’ closure could drive gaming underground, depriving the government of significant tax revenue and raising concerns about unregulated activity. Stakeholders, including club operators and professional unions, have urged the government to act swiftly. However, the lack of a legal framework has complicated discussions, leaving employees in uncertainty.
“We need to determine if we are forced to close and whether we can access technical unemployment or partial activity. However, it seems complicated because there is no longer any law or money in the coffers,” said Sébastien Leclercq, Country Manager for Circus Casino in France, speaking on Dans le Carré.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2024/12/17/88895-paris-gaming-clubs-face-closure-amid-legislative-stalemate
