The Enghien-les-Bains Casino is the only physical gambling establishment in Île-de-France since 1901. Grand economic actor of the Valdoisian territory, he employs 560 employees and generates part of the turnover of neighboring activities and shops.
In a letter addressed to Laurent Saint-Martin, Minister to the Prime Minister responsible for the Budget and Public Accounts, Gabrielle Cathala, deputy LFI of Val d'Oisealert on the tabling of an amendment by the Government, within the framework of the finance bill, enshrining the legalization of online casinos (provisionally withdrawn).
Economic and health issue
“This legalization would be catastrophic in many respects”, writes parliamentarian Gabrielle Cathala who considers that the opening of online gambling is a both an economic and health issue which should not be taken lightly.
In this missive, the MP draws the minister's attention to two impacts that the legalization of online gambling could have:
· Economic and social risks for the 560 employees of the Enghien-les-Bains casino and the local economy;
· The significant health risk of addiction among the youngest and most vulnerable populations.
“At the national level, this could lead to loss of 25% to 30% of turnover. For the Enghien-les-Bains Casino, located in my constituency, this loss could climb to several tens of millions of euros. This would have catastrophic consequences for its 560 employees, who would undergo a major layoff plan. The repercussions on the municipality would also be serious, with loss of revenue estimated at 5 million euros for the community”, she specifies.
This is why the elected official asks the Government to be kept informed of the next technical meetings which will take place to study the possibility of opening online casinos in France, and that employee unions be included in these discussions.
