French President Nicholas Sarkozy wants a "controlled opening" of his country's betting market by 2009 or 2010, according to Budget Minister Eric Woerth, who announced the news Monday.
Woerth told French daily Le Parisien that when private betting providers become able to operate under French regulation, they will be subject to the same conditions and tax regimes as Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU), the current monopoly operator for betting.
Woerth expects the government to complete its plans this year and to launch a test phase in 2009 or 2010.