French gaming officials are reportedly in Brussels to discuss the opening of its online betting market with the EU. A spokesperson for the French government said it wanted to show they were open to discussions, while gambling monopoly Française des Jeux said that talks would give them the opportunity to put an end to the 'unfair competition from internet gambling sites'.

It is thought though that any liberalisation in the French laws would be limited to pool betting, to protect state monopoly Pari Mutuel Urbain. Officials have said in the past that the country is opposed to opening its borders completely, and would require foreign operators to establish a branch in France.