Autorité de régulation des jeux en ligne (ARJEL), the French gambling regulator, has awarded 17 online sports betting licences after opening up the market for the first time.

Austria-based bwin is among the operators now able to provide online gambling on activities such as sports events after authorities regulated the market in time for the World Cup. Online poker is set to follow. Norbert Teufelberger, co-chief executive officer of bwin Interactive Entertainment, said: "We are pleased that, following Italy, another country has followed the call for a clearly regulated and transparent market.

"There are still a few more miles to go on the road toward establishing legal conditions that warrant fair competition in France. We will be working closely together with the French authorities in order to take these developments forward."