Ruling May Open Online Gambling in France

The Malta based company Zeturf saw the Frence appeals court, Cour de Cessation, overturn a court decision to ban them from offering online betting on horse racing. This appeals decision only adds pressure to the European Commission to end the monopoly of French state gambling.

In early January, Pari Mtuel Urbain, one of the monopolies that cover betting on horses, sports, lotteries and many other forms of gambling in France complained about Zeturf and Zerturf was ordered to suspend its operation in France or face big daily fines.

But Wednesday the courts overturned that decision, "Under European Union rules, limits to competition, even those "stemming from limits on gaming as a special or exclusive right, cannot be justified," they announced.

Now, that decision sends the case against Zeturf back to a Paris appeals court for a rehearing. It could take up to a year for the case to come back to court.