Casinos in France

Introduction

France has a long and interesting history when it comes to gambling. It is also home to some of the most beautiful casinos in the world. Some of the most famous ones offer more than luxury when you walk in the doors, they are also set against beautiful backdrops and become part of an awe-inspiring image to the viewer.

While the French saved the ultimate in the Belle Epoque style for the heavily French-influenced Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco, that particular architectural influence lives strong, perhaps mixed with Art Nouveau in Casino de Paris. Meanwhile, the stunning visage of Casino Barrière d'Enghien-les-Bains exclaims its beauty through a glass shell around a façade in the Belle Époque style, accented and bolstered by a terrace that reaches toward the lake. Inside the lobby, curved railings and rounded armchairs offer the appreciative visitor a hug from history.

Gambling runs deep in French culture, and the industry that supports it has evolved to become fully integrated into society and made safe and sane with comprehensive regulations. Casinos, sports, and horse race betting are a part of life for many. TGM Research reports that nearly half of the adult population (about 49%) engage in some form of betting with 28% having a flutter on sports. The legal system covers online and offline gambling so players have plenty of legal, well-regulated options.

History of Gambling

Gambling in France goes back centuries. The French are responsible for some of the backbone of what gambling is around the world today. One of the best-known contributions was the roulette wheel. It was designed by French mathematician Blaise Pascal in the 17th century. The somewhat simple wheel has become one of the most popular casino games in the world. Another major innovation was the concept of parimutuel betting. The parimutuel betting and odds system was first introduced in the 1870s. This way of horse race betting is used all over the world and has been expanded to form the basis of other forms of sports betting in some areas.

Briefly, parimutuel wagering is essentially "betting among ourselves." It works like a stock trade - when you buy a $1 ticket on a horse, you're buying a share in its race performance. The track acts as a broker, taking a fixed commission that's split between the government, track, and horsemen. This commission stays the same whether the favorite or an underdog wins.

France has also contributed heavily to the way card games are played even when the modifications haven’t always affected regional rules. Before it was introduced in France there were no Queen cards in a deck. The French replaced the Nobleman card with the Queen in the 1500s. Other changes are not as well documented but even going by roulette, parimutuel wagering, and the deck of cards we use today it’s easy to see France’s fingerprint on modern gambling.

Fast forward in time to the 1900s and we see that gambling had become a deeply entrenched form of entertainment. While Napolean only allowed casinos in hot spring spas in 1806 simple health resorts could host them by the early 1960s. With liberalization in the late 1980s, the government lowered the gambling age from 21 to 18 and the next year, 1988, finally saw the legalization of slot machines. The two changes happening so close together in time seem to have created the impetus for the French gambling industry to grow and spread.

Legislation and Jurisdiction

France's land-based gambling industry operates under strict regulation. The two organizations that oversee the recreational activity are Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) and La Française des Jeux (FDJ). Both of them are state-owned and are responsible for distinct market segments. The PMU is concerned with horse racing, and FDJ handles lotteries and other betting.

FDJ offers a diverse range of games and lotteries and frequently introduces new ones. The lottery contributes to humanitarian and social causes, including funding various sports activities. The lottery has been providing entertainment and enjoyment to the people of France since the 1500s.

France expanded its gambling laws to include online betting in 2010, perhaps as much as a way to capture revenues than for its stated purpose - consumer protection. French gambling law applies not only to the country but also extends to territories and protectorates around the world with very few exceptions. When it comes to online gambling, it is treated the same by the government in faraway places like Saint Barthelemy and Réunion.

The Regulatory Authority for Online Games (ARJEL) oversees all online gambling. ARJEL makes sure that online gambling companies comply with the laws and standards set for the security of players.

Popular Spots and Games

France is where you’ll find some of Europe's grandest and most well-known casinos. Casino Barrière in Deauville is one of those. It offers a luxury gaming experience close to the beach. Casino d’Enghien-les-Bains is the closest casino to Paris and was allowed there only because of the spa amenities and visitors will find a full range of games.

In nearly all of the full-scale gaming venues, you’ll find the native roulette wheel but also assorted and various table games like baccarat, blackjack, and poker, along with every imaginable variety of slots. Horse racing is a good bet thanks to the PMU’s longtime role in promoting this uniquely French type of wagering that dates back some 150 years.

Few French casinos can hold a candle to the elegance of Lyon Vert Casino in Lyon or Palais de la Mediterranee Casino in Nice. Both spots offer a next-level gambling experience. Lyon Vert Casino is the largest in the country, with about 400 slot machines, along with tables for Stud Poker, Roulette, and Blackjack. Recall, players need to be at least 18 years old and will need to bring valid ID. There's also a dress code to keep in mind at all of the finer places in France.

Palais de la Méditerranée is a nine-story luxury casino/hotel complex on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. The venue’s design elements include a blend of Egyptian, Greek, and 1930s French styles like Art Nouveau. Inside, you’ll find 170 slots, 52 electronic gaming stations 38 electronic roulettes, 14 electronic blackjacks, 2 English roulettes, 3 blackjack tables, and 1 ultimate poker table. It’s a beautiful place to enjoy a night out in Nice.

Conclusion

The land-based casinos of France beckon international travelers with a sweet and savory mix of history, glamour, and modern gambling. France’s contributions to the historical and early development of modern casino games, from the invention of the roulette wheel to the “racetrack” betting systems, along with parimutuel betting are found almost everywhere in the world modern gambling takes place.

While the government certainly takes its sweet time with the modernization of the online sector as can be seen in detail here, the careful approach is intrinsically French and it has served one of the world's oldest and first true democracies well since the time of the revolution when rights were extended to all.