Legislative gridlock threatens the future of Paris’s gaming clubs, potentially leaving 1,500 jobs in jeopardy and major poker events hanging in the balance.
Paris’s renowned “Clubs de Jeux” are on the brink of closure, with a December 31 deadline fast approaching and no solution in sight. These clubs, which operate under an experimental framework designed to replace the city’s banned casinos, now face an uncertain future due to a prolonged legislative delay.
The cause of this looming shutdown? The French National Assembly dissolved earlier this year, leading to the collapse of key government processes. Efforts to extend the clubs’ legal status have stalled, leaving the gaming establishments without a legal framework to operate beyond the end of the year. This has thrown the future of 1,500 jobs into doubt, while simultaneously threatening the city’s international gaming events, such as the European Championship of Poker and the PokerStars European Poker Tour Paris.
A High-Stakes Problem: The Impact of the Shutdown
The Paris gaming clubs have become a significant contributor to the city’s economy. In 2023 alone, they generated €119 million ($124.97 million) in gross gaming revenue, a sizable portion of which—approximately €40 million—was redirected to the state. These figures paint a clear picture: the clubs are not just a source of entertainment, but a substantial economic engine for the capital.
“Without the clubs, it’s a social and economic catastrophe,” said Christine Bonneau, managing director of Club Barrière. “It’s mentally draining for the teams. We are completely in the dark about what will happen next.”
This sense of uncertainty is amplified by the sheer scale of the shutdown. Not only would 1,500 employees lose their jobs, but major international poker tournaments—events that draw global crowds—are at risk of being canceled. Paris, a city already renowned for its hospitality and gaming culture, may lose its position as a top destination for high-profile poker competitions.
The Root Cause: Political Deadlock
The shutdown’s root cause lies in the unresolved legislative stalemate within the French government. In June, the French National Assembly dissolved, and with it, the Finance Bill that was supposed to extend the clubs’ operational phase. Without this extension, the gaming clubs have no legal standing to continue beyond the end of the year.
In the absence of a functioning government, talks about the future of the gaming clubs remain in limbo. Despite efforts to push a special law through Parliament to address the 2025 budget, the bill does not contain provisions to save the gaming clubs, leaving operators and employees on edge.
“If we cannot operate in 2025, it could take four to six months before the clubs are allowed to reopen,” one industry insider explained. This prolonged downtime would be devastating for the entire sector, further amplifying the financial and social implications of the shutdown.
Failed Proposals and Growing Concern
Efforts to secure a new legislative framework for the gaming clubs have met with frustration. The issue became further complicated when proposals to legalize online casinos—also part of the stalled Finance Bill—were abandoned. This setback has left stakeholders questioning the likelihood of any meaningful progress before the year’s end.
Industry professionals argue that the clubs’ closure would not only put thousands out of work but could also push gambling underground. Such an outcome could result in significant tax revenue losses for the government, with the potential rise of unregulated gambling operations posing a further risk to public safety and the integrity of the sector.
The situation has also sparked concern among professional unions and club operators. “We are at a crossroads. We need to know if we are forced to close and whether employees can access technical unemployment or partial activity,” said Sébastien Leclercq, Country Manager for Circus Casino in France, speaking on the Dans le Carré talk show. “It’s complicated because we no longer have a law to rely on, and there’s no money in the coffers.”
The Closer Look: What Happens Next?
Despite the dire circumstances, many remain hopeful that the French government will act swiftly to resolve the issue. However, the ongoing political paralysis makes a quick resolution unlikely. As of now, both industry leaders and employees are left in a state of limbo, unsure of whether they will return to work in January or face a prolonged shutdown.
There is still a glimmer of hope that a new law could emerge to save the clubs, but with each passing day, that hope seems to diminish. The gaming industry is calling for decisive action from lawmakers, but whether or not that will materialize in time to prevent the shutdown is uncertain.
The outcome of this battle will have long-lasting implications not only for the clubs but also for the wider French gaming sector. If the clubs are forced to shut down, the government may face the task of rebuilding a legal framework from the ground up—a process that could take years. In the meantime, Paris’s gaming culture, and the thousands of people who rely on it, are left waiting for the political climate to shift.
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