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<p>After the <a href="/blog/360-world-gaming-enters-administration-bush-to-sign-bill">US clampdown on internet gambling last October</a>, the last thing PartyGaming and other gambling groups need is yet more uncertainty over the legality of their operations. </p>
<p>While current legal opinion says that online gambling is legal in the EU, our Gallic friends have been lobbying against this. </p>
<p>It is probably no coincidence that the French government controls two related gambling monopolies - PMU for betting and Francaise de Jeux for gaming. The success of online gambling constitutes a threat to these operations. </p>
<p>888 has marketed itself aggressively in France, including a short-lived shirt sponsorship deal with Toulouse FC. This was before French football authorities banned online gambling firms from such marketing. </p>
<p>It is believed that the French authorities' request to question 888's John Anderson has something to do with this sponsorship deal. </p>
<p>In other online gambling news, <a href="/blog/393-sportingbet-gambling-ban-will-create-black-market">SportingBet</a> has reported a <a href="http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2007-02-28T094424Z_01_WLB5659_RTRUKOC_0_UK-SPORTINGBET-RESULTS.xml">54% increase in operating profit</a>, adding that it had so far avoided any conflict with French authorities. </p>
<p>
<a href="mailto:blog@e-consultancy.com">blog@e-consultancy.com</a>
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<Paragraph>After the <Link URL="/blog/360-world-gaming-enters-administration-bush-to-sign-bill" Window="New">US clampdown on internet gambling last October</Link>, the last thing PartyGaming and other gambling groups need is yet more uncertainty over the legality of their operations. </Paragraph>
<Paragraph>While current legal opinion says that online gambling is legal in the EU, our Gallic friends have been lobbying against this. </Paragraph>
<Paragraph>It is probably no coincidence that the French government controls two related gambling monopolies - PMU for betting and Francaise de Jeux for gaming. The success of online gambling constitutes a threat to these operations. </Paragraph>
<Paragraph>888 has marketed itself aggressively in France, including a short-lived shirt sponsorship deal with Toulouse FC. This was before French football authorities banned online gambling firms from such marketing. </Paragraph>
<Paragraph>It is believed that the French authorities' request to question 888's John Anderson has something to do with this sponsorship deal. </Paragraph>
<Paragraph>In other online gambling news, <Link URL="/blog/393-sportingbet-gambling-ban-will-create-black-market" Window="New">SportingBet</Link> has reported a <Link URL="http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2007-02-28T094424Z_01_WLB5659_RTRUKOC_0_UK-SPORTINGBET-RESULTS.xml" Window="New">54% increase in operating profit</Link>, adding that it had so far avoided any conflict with French authorities. </Paragraph>
<Paragraph>
<Link URL="mailto:blog@e-consultancy.com" Window="New">blog@e-consultancy.com</Link>
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<p>
<strong>
<a href="http://technology.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2023045,00.html">The Guardian</a> is reporting today that online gambling group PartyGaming has closed its French website, without notifying investors. One shareholder has offloaded around £50m of stock in the firm.</strong>
</p>
<p>Meanwhile, John Anderson, the former chief executive of 888 Holdings, has been summoned for interview by the French authorities, prompting speculation that French authorities are about to crackdown on online gambling. </p>
<p>This in itself is prompting speculation that the French and American governments actually agree on something.</p>
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<Link URL="http://technology.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2023045,00.html" Window="New">The Guardian</Link> is reporting today that online gambling group PartyGaming has closed its French website, without notifying investors. One shareholder has offloaded around £50m of stock in the firm.</Emphasis>
</Paragraph>
<Paragraph>Meanwhile, John Anderson, the former chief executive of 888 Holdings, has been summoned for interview by the French authorities, prompting speculation that French authorities are about to crackdown on online gambling. </Paragraph>
<Paragraph>This in itself is prompting speculation that the French and American governments actually agree on something.</Paragraph>
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