William Hill, one of the most profitable online betting operators, has recently announced that they are to leave the French gaming market after many years of trading. It has emerged that the decision to quit the French market had been reached due to the recent gambling laws introduced by the French government which have put increasing strain on foreign online gambling operators.

“In conjunction with the changes to the regulatory regime in France, William Hill Online is considering whether to apply for a licence to offer permitted online gambling products to French residents.”
William Hill

William Hill is one of the biggest online movers and shakers of the betting world and currently operates in over 175 countries. Operating online gambling since 1998, the company has established itself as the leading gaming and sports betting business in Europe and indeed possibly the world.

William Hill has a following of over 800,000 online customers in the UK and provides a wide range of games from casino, poker and bingo to the provision of popular sports betting.
It was reported that although France had opened its Gaming market to encourage operators from overseas to trade there, these operators have had little chance to be able to compete with local online operators as the French industry tends to favour them.

The decision to leave follows the departure of Betfair, one of William Hill top competitors who have confirmed that they will be leaving the French market and have vowed that they were unlikely to rejoin the market until at least 2012.

William Hill has not ruled out a return to the French market in the future but it has confirmed that no online bets will be taken for the duration of the world cup. The news will undoubtedly raise some concern amongst individuals in the French gaming market as the departure of William Hill will be seen as a significant loss.