Reopening of Parisian gaming clubs: Relief tinged with uncertainty
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11 Mar 2025 •
Reading time: 2 minutes On 28 February 2025, the seven Parisian gaming clubs were authorised to reopen. This put an end to two months of forced closure. The reopening was made possible by a decree issued by the Ministry of the Interior and validated by the Council of State. The clubs, which have been closed since 1 January due to the lack of a legislative framework, can now resume their activities until 2027, when the experiment will be reassessed.
High cost for all
The closure of the gaming clubs has come at a considerable cost, both to the operators and to the State. The clubs’ 1,500 employees have been put on short-time working, with the State paying 60% of their salaries. This cost the state around €1 million a week, or more than €8 million in total.
As for the operators, they have had to cope with high rents and a lack of income. The Tranchant group, for example, has reported a loss of several hundred thousand euros, while the Circus group estimates its losses at around 750,000 euros.
A glimmer of hope
The reopening of gaming clubs is a ray of hope for the sector. It is helping to revive the business and restore the confidence of players and employees alike. However, to ensure the long-term viability of the Parisian clubs, the legislative framework must be made permanent and new games must be authorised.
Social and economic impact
Despite the reopening, the future of the gaming clubs remains uncertain. The extension of the experiment is authorised only until 2027. This is not enough to guarantee the continued existence of the establishments.
Operators fear that this lack of visibility will discourage the investment needed to grow the sector. In addition, the possibility of introducing new games, such as roulette, remains on hold, limiting the prospects for development.The closure of the gaming clubs has also had significant social repercussions. The employees, although partially compensated, lived in uncertainty. Some employees have not returned, attracted by more stable jobs. Operators face additional costs in recruiting and training new staff.