Gaming clubs in Paris are on the verge of closing owing to the collapse of France’s National Assembly and stalled budget negotiations.
If no solution is found, all seven gambling clubs in the city will be compelled to close on January 1, 2025, thereby ending a years-long experiment.
The seven cercles de jeux, which include the Barrière Club, Paris Élysées Club, and Montmartre Club, were formed in 2018 as part of an experimental program that allowed table games but prohibited slot machines and roulette.
Originally scheduled to terminate in 2020, the initiative has been extended twice, with ambitions to make the clubs permanent fixtures by 2026.
However, these intentions failed when a vote of no confidence resulted in the government’s censure, leaving Parisian gambling clubs without the legal authority to continue operations.
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The unintended consequences of political crisis
The present political upheaval began with President Emmanuel Macron’s dissolution of the National Assembly, followed by Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s departure.
The rejection of the financial package, which includes measures for the clubs’ legalization, has put the gambling industry in uncertainty.
Without a fresh budget or a legislative solution, the clubs’ operational permits will expire at the beginning of 2025.
Operators have voiced concern about the upcoming closures. Grégory Rabuel, CEO of Groupe Barrière and Chairman of Casinos de France, described the situation as terrible, saying:
“We support all club operators on the eve of this disaster and hope that it can still be avoided.” Exceptional conditions need swift action. We ask the governmental authorities to assist us.”
Rabuel’s worries underscore the economic dangers involved with the closures, which threaten 1,500 employment.
Some operators are looking for interim solutions, such as short-term work arrangements, to avoid mass layoffs while waiting for a new budget.
PokerStars Cancels the European Poker Tour in Paris.
The regulatory uncertainty has already had an immediate impact on the city’s gambling business.
PokerStars has announced the cancelation of its European Poker Tour Paris tournament, which was slated for February 2025 at Club Barrière.
In a statement, the firm highlighted license uncertainty as the reason:
“PokerStars and Club Barrière remain committed to working with local authorities to achieve a more stable regulatory framework.” We remain hopeful that this will pave the way for the resumption of one of the most popular stops on the EPT circuit.”
Hopes for a solution by January 1
Despite the Ministry of the Interior and operators agreeing that the gaming clubs have been successful, their future is questionable due to the lack of a formal framework.
Industry leaders and trade organizations are pressing the next administration to prioritize the problem and enact immediate measures to rescue the clubs.
For the time being, the destiny of Paris’ gaming culture is inextricably linked to France’s political instability, with no clear answer in sight as the January 1 deadline near.
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