France may soon become the next European country to reconsider its stance on online gambling—specifically online casinos. While sports betting and certain other interactive gambling activities are currently legal, online casinos remain strictly prohibited. That could change with a new proposal now under review.

Last week, Proposition 1248 was introduced in the National Assembly, France’s legislative body. The bill, backed by Philippe Latombe, a Democratic Movement MP and vocal advocate for opening up the online casino market, seeks enough support to become law.

Latombe has suggested that, initially, only domestic operators should be allowed to run online casinos for the first five years, taking inspiration from Switzerland’s approach. In Switzerland, only locally licensed companies can offer online casino services, following a nationwide referendum that blocked foreign operators from entering the regulated market.

Under Article 2 of the French proposal, if passed in 2025, this moratorium on foreign operators would last until January 1, 2030. After that, international companies could apply to enter the market. The temporary restriction is designed to protect the country’s existing land-based casinos from sudden disruption, allowing time for a smoother economic transition.

Article 3 outlines tax obligations that closely mirror those applied to other forms of online gambling. The aim is to encourage gradual and sustainable growth of the industry, rather than forcing consumers and stakeholders into rushed decisions.

The proposal also highlights the importance of building a trusted domestic online casino sector. Currently, France allows online sports betting, but operators must partner with land-based venues to ensure they maintain a vested interest in the local market and deliver better service to consumers. The new bill seeks to extend this principle to online casinos.