(France) - French top court has overturned a decision that banned a Maltese company from offering online betting on horse races in France, adding to pressure from the European Commission for an end to the French state monopoly.

Under European Union rules, limits to competition, even those “stemming from limits on gaming as a special or exclusive right, cannot be justified,” the court, the Cour de Cassation, said Wednesday as it announced its decision.

The court, based in Paris, argued that such a monopoly can only be justified as part of a crime prevention initiative.

Sanctions had been sought against Zeturf, which offers online betting on horse racing, by Paris Mutuel Urbain, which holds the French monopoly on off-track betting. The decision sends the case back to a Paris appeals court for a rehearing. It could take up to a year for the case to come back to court.

The European Commission had previously stated that restrictions on sports betting can only be justified in the context of ensuring public health and combating crime, and that such restrictions must be applied in a systematic and coherent fashion.

If France does not allow free movement of sports betting businesses in the country by October, the country could be referred to the European Court of Justice.

Yogonet.com / Reuters