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France, EU fight over horseracing29 October 2007PARIS, France -- As reported by the New Zealand Herald: "A row between France and the European Union is coming to a head, and the future of Europe's most vibrant horse-racing industry could be at stake. "The battle is about a time-honoured state monopoly on sports gambling which France has been defending tooth and nail in defiance of the EU's single market laws and the growing threat from internet betting. "Under laws dating back to 1891, the Paris Mutuel Urbain (PMU) agency has sole rights over on and off course bets on horse races in France. "...The French state also has a monopoly on betting on football matches and lotteries, run by Francaise des Jeux (FdJ). "France has been blatantly ignoring two instructions from the European Commission, one filed last year and the other four months ago, to end the monopoly on sports betting, while attacking bookmakers who are edging in on its turf. "...France, along with Sweden and Greece, have until October 31 to fall into line or face the threat of action at the European Court of Justice..." |