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France Is Considering Legalizing Online Casinos

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 24, 2024

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).

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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

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Elon Musk Plans $55B Terafab Chip Facility In Texas

Strategic Vision For A Chipmaking Revolution

Elon Musk outlined plans to build a semiconductor manufacturing facility in East Texas, with an initial investment of at least $55 billion and potential expansion to $119 billion. The project is intended to support long-term demand for chips used in artificial intelligence, automotive systems and aerospace applications, while reducing reliance on external suppliers.

Public Hearing And Local Engagement

Project details were disclosed in a public hearing notice in Grimes County, where local authorities are considering a property tax abatement agreement linked to the development. A public hearing is scheduled for June 3, when officials are expected to review the proposal and associated tax terms.

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Industry Collaboration And Supply Chain Control

Plans for the Terafab facility include integrating logic, memory and advanced packaging within a single site. The facility is expected to support production needs across SpaceX, Tesla and AI-related operations linked to xAI. This approach is designed to increase control over supply chains at a time of ongoing global constraints.

Intel’s Entry And Market Implications

Intel is expected to contribute to design, fabrication and packaging processes for advanced chips. The collaboration reflects broader shifts in the semiconductor industry, where partnerships across automotive, AI and infrastructure sectors are becoming more common in response to capacity limits.

Long-Term Strategic Impact

Elon Musk has previously said in earnings calls that expanding in-house chip production is intended to reduce reliance on external suppliers and improve control over key components. The Terafab project builds on longer-term efforts to secure hardware supply for Tesla and related technologies, while addressing risks linked to global supply constraints and geopolitical factors.

Plans also align with broader developments around SpaceX, including discussions of a potential public offering and integration with xAI. These elements place the project within a wider strategy focused on computing capacity and infrastructure. Expansion of semiconductor manufacturing capacity is increasingly tied to competitiveness in AI, automotive and aerospace sectors, where access to advanced chips remains a limiting factor.