Paris’ gambling clubs are facing an imminent shutdown due to the fallout from an ongoing political crisis in France. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Clubs in limbo

Paris’ gambling clubs could all be forced to close indefinitely on December 31 due to the political crisis in France.

The venues, known as clubs de jeux, have operated in the French capital since 2017. A 1919 law prohibiting casinos in Paris led to the creation of the establishments, which are licensed to provide table games but not slots or roulette.

a political deadlock has left the country without any authority available to agree to the extension

The agreement is set to end on December 31 of this year but was expected to be extended. However, a crisis that has caused the collapse of the French government and a political deadlock has left the country without any authority to agree to the extension.

Political crisis

France is in the midst of a political storm after legislative elections following the dismissal of the National Assembly.

The vote failed to produce a majority and also failed to pass the finance bill required to provide a budget for the country in 2025, which caused the collapse of Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government.

the Prime Minister is only able to act with the consent of the legislature

A three-way deadlock between France’s centrists, right wing, and left wing has now left the country without any viable government, as the Prime Minister is only able to act with the consent of the legislature.

That leaves the agreement over clubs de jeux impossible to extend – even though the tax revenue would have been a welcome addition to the budget – and they could now be lost as Parisians turn to underground gambling clubs.

The proposed finance bill for the 2025 budget even included a proposal to regulate online gambling, showing that there was little appetite for further restricting the already tight gambling laws in the country.

Poker tours canceled

The crisis has had a major impact on France’s poker scene. PokerStars announced that the country’s most prestigious event, EPT Paris, was canceled indefinitely this week because of the ongoing situation. 

Over 1,000 people are employed by clubs de jeux in the City of Lights, and it remains unclear whether any will have jobs to return to after the Christmas holidays.

The situation is unprecedented and nonsensical. Hundreds of jobs are at risk.” 

“This is an economic and social catastrophe. It’s psychologically tough for the teams. We are completely in the dark,” said Christine Bonneau, the managing director of Club Barrière, which partners with PokerStars to run EPT Paris. “The situation is unprecedented and nonsensical. Hundreds of jobs are at risk. We urge the future government to find a solution quickly.” 

Sebastian Leclercq, country manager for the Circus club de jeux, was also despondent at the situation.

“The establishments, our lawyers, and our professional union are in contact with the ministries and are constantly engaging in discussions,” he said. “We need to determine if we are forced to close and whether we can access technical unemployment or partial activity. However, it seems complicated because there is no longer any law or money in the coffers.”