888.com’s online poker licence has been anulled by French regulator ARJEL at the operator’s request, as France’s tough tax regime registers another casualty.
The formal withdrawal of 888, and that of subsidiary Pokersubito.fr, brings 888 and Microgaming’s joint poker network in France to an end just two years after it was launched.
888 is the latest in a number of high-profile withdrawals from the French market, following recent moves by Chilipoker.fr, Microgame and the bwin.party-owned Gamebookers.fr.
Only 22 companies, operating under 33 licences, are now active in France. The tax conditions in France for sports betting and poker have also dissuaded Sportingbet, Betfair, Ladbrokes and William Hill from entering the market.
The move follows the 888 board announcement that trading continued to be “strong across the group” and that the company expects revenues to meet “current management expectations” for the full year.
