French online gambling rolls on: ChiliPoker launched, Everest Poker sponsors soccer team

It seems like the news on Internet gaming just keeps flowing out of France, more than a month after the new French gambling laws came into effect.  

The biggest news for players at French poker rooms is of course Playtech’s launching its iPoker Network in the country; the first provider in the network will be ChiliPoker, which received permission to legally operate in the country in the first wave of licensing last month.  

A total of 11 operators currently have the license to operate within French borders, including world-class names like BetClic, BWin, Everest Poker, Party Gaming, and PokerStars. The joint poker network of 888 and Microgaming also just received the license and is preparing to launch its site any day now. French-based suppliers Casino du Golfe, Groupe Tranchant and JOI are expected to be added to the list of licensees by October.  

Meanwhile, on the football pitch, Everest Poker representatives have joined partner online poker website BetClic in sponsoring the French squad Olympique Lyonnais. Under terms of the agreement, BetClic will sponsor Lyon at home games while the Everest logo will be worn on the team’s away jerseys. 

Everest Poker France director Sandrine Mangia-Park, director of Everest Poker France said, “By becoming a sponsor of Olympique Lyonnais, we want to associate the sport values of the poker community with those of Lyon’s football team: playing the game responsibly and respecting their partners.”  

While the deal represents Everest’s first foray into soccer sponsorship, BetClic now sponsors 16 teams in France, Holland and Portugal, including French champions Marseille and traditional Italian powerhouse Juventus.