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AstroPay in French Casinos
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Given the situation with online gambling in France, certain types of online casino sites are accessible to French players, and most, if not all of them, offer AstroPay as a top-ranked payment method. This payment solution, which offers a virtual card and wallet product, allows French players to make smooth, safe, and easy deposits and withdrawals in their local currency, the euro. It has been around in the online gambling industry since the day it launched, and its popularity never ceases to increase. So, if it feels like a method you'd want to give a try, continue reading to find out as much info on it as you can. What is AstroPay and why use it as your payment method across French online casinos?
Online Gambling Regulation in France
When tourists visit France, more specifically the French Riviera, the first thing they do is go to one of its many lavish land-based casinos, scattered all across the coast. These casinos are considered as some of the most luxurious and expensive places to be, where only celebrities and high-rollers try their luck. That's been going on since 1907 when the country first legalized the industry and started giving licenses to interested operators to set up their operations there. And while both tourists and locals are free to visit these establishments, the French authorities make sure they are all abiding by strict rules when they do, to get the safest gambling experience out there.
Of course, they also make sure operators do everything by the book in order to cater to players freely. France has been loud when it comes to offering a safe gambling environment and even requested other EU countries to follow its example. As a vital member of the EU, the country reassured other EU countries that it was crucial they all contribute towards a safer gambling industry so that they all get the stability and economy they wish for as a Union.
And while a leading force in land-based gambling, when the industry went online, France backed up. The country was never really into it, stating that it couldn't ever be controlled as the land-based industry could. Eventually, it legalized online gambling in 2009, putting ARJEL in charge of the industry, even though it never allowed for it to prevail but always prioritized land-based gambling. As a matter of fact, even when it updated its laws for gambling, with the Law 2010-476, it left out online casino gambling from it. The regulator was given permission to grant licenses for online bingo, poker, horse racing betting, and sportsbetting, but not online casinos.
Then, a new regulatory body was put in charge, ANJ, and online casino players thought something would change, but it didn’t. It was not until new restrictions for European operators were introduced that France had to make a move. The country worked hard to align its laws with the EU gambling laws, but unsuccessfully. Finally, it had to give in and accept the rulings of the Directive's Article 98/34/EC and 56 TFEU and started allowing French online casino players to frequent online casino sites that are licensed in any EU country. ANJ still had to give the green light to interested operators that wished to cater to French players, after giving them a full background check. Operators who wish to do so, actually, must abide by all the rules and warnings the regulator introduces, as well as any new laws expected to be put into effect.
And even though in 2023, some rumors appeared that the country would finally legalize it, online casino gambling is still, to this day, limited to EU-licensed sites only. You won’t find an online casino licensed by the ANJ, but you will find hundreds of online casinos that are allowed to cater to French players, based in legal EU markets. These are sites that offer premier online gambling content, provided by the likes of Pragmatic Play, Games Global, Evolution, and Play’n GO, to mention a few. Meaning, that you will get to play not only slots and table games but also Live Casino games, among other types of games as a French player.
Now that you know your game choices, it's time you focus on the payment method you'll choose to use to get an all-encompassing, safe, and fun online gambling time. There's one solution that has been around for years and launched a new payment product for the European market, AstroPay. Previously, it was known for its virtual card across the online gambling industry, but as of a few years ago, when it launched its virtual wallet, it got an even bigger popularity. It is an all-inclusive payment solution that will allow you to make both deposits and withdrawals in your local currency, the euro, across a great number of sites. So, stay with us to learn more about it and start using it immediately after you get started with it, to get the smoothest transactions to and from top EU casinos.
Casinos for Players from France that Offer AstroPay Card
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Using AstroPay Across French Online Casinos
AstroPay, as mentioned, has been around for years and has certainly made a name for itself across the online gambling industry. It all started in 2009 when AstroPayCard hit the online gambling scene, right after its launch. AstroPay Global Limited got the needed permissions and licenses to offer electronic money services from the financial authorities in the UK and started offering the virtual prepaid card across online casinos right away. At first, though, the company targeted LatAm and China as its primary markets, as there was a lack of such cards over there, but after seeing its success in these countries, it eventually expanded to Europe, Canada, Asia, and Africa. If you take a look at its Terms and Conditions Agreement page, you will see that today it is offered all over the world, with only several countries on the restricted list. France, is, of course, not on that list, and as a French player, you can freely use it across any online casino that offers it, in your local currency, the euro.
Now, to go back to its product offering, while in the past, it only functioned as a virtual prepaid card, today, you also have the virtual wallet product to use. The company behind it decided to improve the solution while keeping up with current trends and launched the wallet to cater to all modern users. With it, you can hold one multicurrency account and do anything you want with it: save, spend, and send money to and from anywhere in the world.
And if you've ever used a wallet, you know the drill: to get started with it, you'd need to create your multicurrency account. First, either go to the Apple App or Google Play Store to download its app or visit its official website and initiate the registration there. You will be asked to enter your mobile phone number and provide some basic personal details and with that, your account will be ready to be used. The first action you can perform actually is to order your virtual prepaid card, by selecting the model and type you'd like to have, in-account.
The next step would be topping your account/card with money, of course. Google Pay, Apple Pay, and popular credit/debit cards will be your options for that, but rest assured that once funded, the account/card automatically gets in its rewarding mode. With each transaction you make, you start collecting points and move up the ladders of its Loyalty program. You can learn all about the program on its official website, but plenty of perks are waiting for you.
You’re probably already convinced that it is an excellent solution to try, so why not follow our lead? We’ll tell you exactly what to do from the minute you select it as your payment method to the minute you receive your winnings to your multicurrency account, successfully.
Deposits and Withdrawals with AstroPay
AstroPay is a payment solution you will find across most, if not all, sites that cater to French players, that’s for sure. Here at WoO, there are over 110 excellent options to consider, among which the top-ranked are SpinBetter, Wins Royal and CasinoStars. Do not hesitate to check out the other sites if you have time, as they are all reviewed and with certainly both accept French players and offer AstroPay.
The minute you decide on the site, register an account with it. To make your first deposit with AstroPay, go through the following procedure:
- Access your registered account and immediately search for the Banking/Payment Methods page.
- Locate AstroPay’s logo on the list of Deposit Methods and press it.
- Enter your AstroPay app and choose whether you’ll use the account or card to deposit.
- Specify how much you wish to deposit and enter the respective account/card details.
- Confirm and watch the funds arriving in your balance instantly.
Quick withdrawals with AstroPay are written in the stars, and we have player testimonies that the solution works like magic for cashouts. As long as you’re using the wallet product, you can rest assured that your withdrawal will go as smoothly as your deposit did.
In fact, repeat the same steps as the ones we just described, only this time select the solution from the Withdrawal Methods page, of course, and enter the amount you wish to cash out. Now, although it won't be instant like the deposit, the withdrawal will be processed immediately after you get the operator's approval. This is where the delay can happen since operators can take 24 to 48 hours before they give the final approval.
Conclusion
There’s a reason why AstroPay has been around for so long and intends to stay ranked as a top payment method across leading online casinos that cater to French players. The solution has proven over and over again to be the ideal alternative payment solution to use for deposits and withdrawals in your local currency, so make sure you give it a chance the next time you join your favorite online casino.
FAQs
Is online gambling legal in France?
Yes, online gambling is legal in France, but only some verticals, online casino not included. The country has a well-established land-based gambling industry, but it is not really keen on online gambling.
Are French players allowed to frequent international online casinos?
French players are allowed to frequent online casinos operated by EU-based operators only. The regulator, ANJ, makes sure to control the operators that cater to French players, and only those that get the permit to do so can.
Is AstroPay offered across a great number of French online casinos?
Yes, it is, in fact. Over 110 online casinos listed here at WoO accept it, all of which cater to French players. You will have enough choices to comb through in order to find the casino you want to join.
Who do I get in touch with in case I experience a problem with my AstroPay deposit?
In case you experience a problem with your AstroPay deposit, you can try and find a solution on the FAQs page on its official website. But, if you cannot find your answers there, make sure you contact your casino’s Support team to get the solution you need.
Will I find AstroPay on the accepted Withdrawal Methods list by default if I see it offered for deposits?
Not necessarily, even though withdrawals with it are quite popular. The thing is, operators choose whether a method is offered for withdrawals or not at their sole discretion. Most offer it for withdrawals, but not all of them, so before you join the casino you wish to, make sure you double-check whether AstroPay is on the list of accepted Withdrawal Methods.