The Barrière Group files a complaint against fraudulent uses of its image.

For several days, numerous alerts have been brought to the attention of the establishments of the Barrière group regarding the dissemination of advertisements in favor of fraudulent websites on certain social networks and search engines, usurping the image of the “Barrière” brand to encourage players to register and play on platforms offering illegal online gaming activities.

The Barrière group has always been a driving force for regulation limiting the inherent risks associated with its casino business, particularly the risks of addiction as well as money laundering and the financing of illegal activities. Moreover, in addition to fostering such risks, these advertisements harm the reputation of the Barrière group, its employees, and its establishments.

The Group has therefore decided to bring the matter to the public prosecutor of Paris so that the authors of these acts, namely not only the owners of online games operating without authorization and using the image of the Barrière group for their advertisements but also the platforms disseminating such advertisements and thus profiting in the process, are identified and held accountable.

Indeed, while sports and horse racing betting as well as online poker are authorized in France, only for operators holding an exclusive right or a license issued by the National Gaming Authority (“ANJ”), online casino games are prohibited and consequently their advertising to players located within French territory.

It is recalled that Article 56 of Law No. 2010-476 of May 12, 2010, concerning the opening up to competition and the regulation of the gambling sector penalizes, consequently, with three years of imprisonment and a €90,000 fine, the act of offering the public an online gambling or betting offer without authorization or exclusive right. Article 57 of the same text penalizes with a €100,000 fine the dissemination of advertising in favor of an unauthorized betting or gambling website.

Furthermore, the Group is surprised that platforms, which are regularly made aware of the aforementioned risks, allow the dissemination of such prohibited content to the general public, particularly to a minor population. The investigation will particularly determine whether these international players, well known to the general public, have complied with the obligations imposed by French law and European regulations.

For Grégory Rabuel, General Director of the Barrière group, “illegal and prohibited online casino sites in France pose a real danger to players, illegal competition for legal French gaming operators, a major loss for public finances, and a true risk of money laundering and financing of illegal activities. By filing a complaint and thus involving public authorities, the Barrière group believes it is fulfilling its role in stopping such acts with serious consequences and thus protecting its clients.”