France Says Oui to Betfair ahead of 2010

Leading UK-based online sports betting exchange, Betfair, is on a mission to take over the online gambling world, a mission it is making great strides in. Take France. Thanks to the efforts of one of Betfair's shareholders, the gambling firm will be allowed to advertise in France by as early as 2010.

France , which is expected to open up its online gambling market in 2010, will no doubt become one of the most lucrative gaming markets in Europe and thanks to the lobbying efforts of prominent French businessman Bernard Arnault and 10 percent shareholder of Betfair, French authorities have given Betfair a green light.

This means that Betfair will be one of only a few online gambling firms allowed to advertise their services in France, a country that has a long and rich gambling history, particularly with regards to sports betting. As such Betfair executives will no doubt be looking for 2010 to reap the rewards of their French connection.

Arnault is considered to be one of France's most influential and successful businessman. He is currently the CEO of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, one of the nation's foremost companies dealing exclusively in luxury brands. For some time the businessman has been lobbying the French government regarding Betfair.

And perhaps it came as no surprise that a man of his distinction was successful in his endeavor to persuade key government officials that Betfair would be the ideal choice of online gambling firm to showcase the country's new 'open door policy' concerning online gambling. The move will give Betfair a big foothold in France.