Les Atorites de Regulation in France Blocks Online Gambling Sites

Just when it appears that we have seen everything in terms of the online gambling industry, the French government decides to make a few changes. On January 1, 2012, the government declared that all Internet service providers (ISPs) block players from any gambling site that is not licensed by the Autorité de Régulation Des Jeux en Ligne (ARJEL).
This order went into effect a few days ago and is being carried out by nationwide ISPs. But rather than block the player altogether, all traffic is redirected to approved gambling services. Any money spent by the ISP to enforce this action will be reimbursed.
Although some feel that this violates European Union laws, France has decided to follow in the footsteps of many other countries. Belgium is doing the same thing and recent updates to German online gambling laws show many of the same ISP restrictions.
The Autorité de Régulation Des Jeux en Ligne has been the French body of online gambling since 2010.
What About Affiliates?
If you are an affiliate who promotes French online casinos, you may have some changes to make. Above all else, stick to promoting casinos that can be visited by French citizens – anything else will be a waste of your time.
Online poker sites that are licensed by the Autorité de Régulation Des Jeux en Ligne include: PokerStars, PartyPoker, 888, iPoker, and Everest.
Additionally, it is important to stay current with any changes to this regulation. Will the French government back down and pull its ISP restrictions? Will more services become licensed in the near future?
What are your thoughts on this? Share your advice in our French Casino Affiliate Forums.