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France Is Considering Legalizing Online Casinos

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

62%. This is public support for the French authorities’ intentions to legalize online casinos, according to a survey by the French Association of Online Games (AFJEL). Very soon, such legal amendments may become a fact, writes the French publication Le Figaro. 

Online casinos in France are prohibited by law. Along with Cyprus, it is the only country in the EU that completely bans online casino games. French authorities only allow sports betting, horse racing, and poker online. The online lottery is also legal in France, although there is only one operator – La Française des Jeux (FDJ).

However, in 2023, illegal online casinos operating in France generated an impressive 750 million euros in turnover, a sign that legal restrictions are in no way preventing these businesses from thriving from the comfort of tax havens, in which are registered.

Now the government is proposing changes as part of the draft budget for 2025, which would make the activity of online casinos subject to control. The texts were presented over the weekend and considered by French MPs on Monday. If the changes are finally adopted, virtual casino games will be taxed at 55.6% of their turnover.

The government claims that legalizing online casinos will help tackle the presence of illegal sites that often operate from tax havens. This could contribute to limiting the risk to public health,

However, the proposed amendments are not being taken lightly by casino owners, who have come out strongly against the amendment, which will expose their establishments to unwanted competition. 

“According to our calculations, the opening of online casinos to competition will lead to a drop in gross gambling revenue of land-based casinos by around 20 to 30% and the closure of 30% of establishments,” said Gregory Rabuel, president of the Casinos de France union. to the French media Les Echos.

THE BUDGETARY POLICY OF FRANCE

Last year, France’s government deficit reached 5.5% of the country’s GDP, significantly exceeding forecasts and breaching the EU’s target of 3%. Late last month, new budget minister Laurent Saint-Martin revealed that this year’s deficit could exceed 6%.

While the government hopes to rein in spending, it is also looking for ways to raise revenue. Part of the country’s current financial problems are related to reduced tax revenues. This is partly because economic growth has recently been driven by exports rather than domestic consumption, resulting in lower VAT revenues.

A review of the revenue side of the 2025 state budget, which calls for 60 billion in new tax revenue, began on Monday, kicking off the most important few weeks of Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s tenure, whose government enjoys fragile support.

In his opening speech, Economy Minister Antoine Armand advocated a budget that would allow the public deficit to be reduced to 5% of GDP in 2025, rejecting any “austerity” while predicting a 0.4% increase in public spending

bbf: Presents :eden coast — The Art Of Living By The Mediterranean

by News Editor

Some destinations are remembered for where they are. Others for how they make us feel.

Life by the Mediterranean has a quality of its own. Defined by light, open horizons and a slower pace, it encourages a way of living where time is measured less by the clock and more by the moments that matter. It is this philosophy that inspired :eden coast.

With the unveiling of :eden coast, bbf: introduces an exceptional collection of beachfront villas in Geroskipou, Paphos, where architecture is conceived as a natural extension of its surroundings. Every residence has been designed to honour the coastline, allowing the sea, the light and the changing seasons to become the defining elements of everyday life.

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At :eden coast, luxury reveals itself with quiet confidence so nothing feels excessive. It is expressed in generous space, carefully composed proportions, enduring materials and an effortless relationship between interior and exterior. Expansive glazing welcomes the Mediterranean sky indoors, while private gardens, terraces and pools encourage a life lived as much outside as within.

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Few locations offer such a natural balance between tranquillity and connectivity. Set along a quieter stretch of Paphos’ coastline, :eden coast enjoys the rare privilege of beachfront living away from the crowds, where the landscape remains unspoilt and the rhythm of the Mediterranean shapes every day. Yet the cultural richness of Paphos, its vibrant dining scene, international airport and every modern convenience are all within easy reach, allowing residents to retreat into complete serenity without ever feeling removed from the world around them.

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Beyond the residences, a carefully curated collection of wellness and leisure experiences extends this philosophy. Landscaped gardens, elegant swimming pools, spaces dedicated to movement and wellbeing, and thoughtfully designed communal areas encourage a slower, richer way of living. They are not amenities in the conventional sense; they are an expression of a lifestyle shaped by balance, privacy and quiet sophistication.

“Our ambition was never simply to create beautiful residences. It was to create a place where architecture, landscape and everyday life exist in complete harmony—a place that feels as though it has always belonged to the coastline,”

says Artem Burtsev at bbf:.

In a world that rarely slows down, :eden coast offers something increasingly rare: the freedom to live at a different pace. Here, mornings begin with the sea, nature sets the rhythm of the day, and the energy of Paphos is always within easy reach. It is a place where tranquillity and connectivity exist in perfect balance, allowing residents to experience the Mediterranean not as a destination, but as a way of life.

For more information:
edencoast.cy
+357 26 962 365

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