Today at 13:00 CET in Paris, France’s budget minister Eric Woerth will host a press conference to introduce the requirements that the French government will seek in order for online gaming operators to obtain a French gaming licence and the related tax rates.

Sportsbetting has put the most pressure to prompt the change, but it is not clear at this time whether online poker will be addressed.

The announcement marks successful dialogue and efforts by the European Commission to bring France’s gaming law into compliance under European law, namely to permit EU-based gaming operators to operate anywhere within EU boundaries.

Though the draft legislation itself is not expected to be revealed today, it will be submitted for approval to French lawmakers sometime this summer. If approved, the licensing process could begin, and residents of France could legally gambling online as of January 1st 2010.

I expect Bulgarian government to follow France and Spain. Currently in Bulgaria is only ONE bookmaker which is protected by local law.

by PokerPages.com