The Story of Gambling in France: From Napoleon Bonaparte to Legalization

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Xenia Luch

12 November 2024

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In the early 1700s, France was running on a low-key policy of partial tolerance when it came to gambling. The government didn’t exactly abolish the laws that banned gambling, but it wasn’t strictly enforcing them either, especially in the bigger cities like Paris. In the capital, a few gaming houses were openly operating with police permission, and some of their earnings even made their way into state coffers.

This “wink and nod” approach seemed to work well for both the authorities and the people. It was a convenient arrangement — legal enough to operate, illegal enough to control. But by the 1760s, the era of tolerance was coming to an end.

The Secular Threat

In the latter half of the 18th century, gambling in France managed to sidestep the grip of the Church, but it wasn’t out of the woods just yet. The games attracted a different kind of enemy — secular moralists

The mounting pressure led to a shift in the French Parliament, which took on the role of enforcing royal decrees. In 1777, a new law was passed that officially put an end to the era of tolerance — but it didn’t stop gambling itself. Forced out of billiard halls and bars, where the games had once operated under the approval of local police, gambling moved underground.

Here’s what changed:

Games were now being organized daily, but their locations shifted constantly. Players would gather in different districts to stay one step ahead of the authorities. Surprisingly, many of these secret gambling dens were rented out by military officers.

The police were reluctant to interfere, knowing full well that these gatherings were attended by high-ranking individuals — dukes and even princes.

At an even higher level, there were “honorary” places — estates owned by local princes. These locations were outside police jurisdiction, making them the perfect refuge for illegal gambling.

Palais Royal - Paris
The most luxurious of these establishments were nestled around Palais Royal in Paris

Then there were the gambling houses protected by diplomatic immunity. Some embassies — like the Swedish and Prussian — hosted games that were completely off-limits to law enforcement.

Realizing their powerlessness, Parliament pushed for harsher laws and demanded more aggressive police actions. This only fueled public resentment, stirring revolutionary sentiments among the people.

Gambling and the French Revolution

Discontent had been brewing among the French people long before the revolution. Historians often link the seeds of the crisis to France’s involvement in the American War of Independence. Alongside other issues, the strict crackdown on gambling became one of the aggravating factors.

The French Revolution erupted in 1789 and dragged on for a full decade, ending in 1799. By its conclusion, the monarchy was replaced by a republic, and Napoleon Bonaparte emerged as the new leader of France.

Napoleon Bonaparte
Mostly remembered as a brilliant military strategist Napoleon also made a lasting impact on French gambling

In 1806, Bonaparte extended the centuries-old ban on casinos but added a key modification. His decree gave the Minister of Police the authority to create special rules for Paris and resort towns during peak seasons, aiming to lure in tourists. For about 6 months each year, gambling establishments were open to anyone.

Before the Revolution, games like roulette and card games were largely the domain of the aristocracy. However, the political upheaval that came with the Revolution and Napoleon’s rise to power led to the legalization of gambling — albeit for only part of the year. For the first time, gambling wasn’t just for the elite.

July Monarchy: A Crackdown on Gambling

After Napoleon’s abdication in 1814, the monarchy regained control, but from 1830 to 1848, France experienced a series of revolutionary movements. This era, known as the July Monarchy, saw significant shifts, including negative consequences for the gambling scene despite the underlying push to restore a republican system.

By the mid-19th century, the new state born from the revolution had grown far stronger than its predecessors. Confident in its power, the government aimed to achieve a total ban on gambling. While they didn’t completely eradicate it, they came close.

In 1836, the French government decided to close all casinos in Paris, and this law came into effect on January 1, 1837.

Key events in July Monarchy’s gambling history:

Fun Fact: At the time, Paris was home to 7 casinos, with 4 of them located in the Palais Royal. 

One year before the casino closures, the government targeted another long-standing gambling tradition: the Royal Lottery. Unlike the casinos, though, the lottery had become deeply ingrained in French culture by the 1830s. As the famous writer Balzac noted, drawings were held every 5 days in cities like Bordeaux, Lyon, and Paris.

Ending the lottery was no easy task, which is why the 1832 Act gave organizers over 3 years to gradually wind down operations, with the final draw held on Jan 1, 1836.

The Stage of Acceptance

Despite the more gradual crackdown on gambling compared to earlier eras, it led to the same predictable outcome: illegal gambling clubs began to pop up. By the second half of the 19th century, a new trend was emerging — the rise of “cercles“.

These cercles were underground gambling clubs, modeled after the exclusive British-style clubs. To join, you had to be invited by an existing member.

In these closed-door clubs, one game in particular gained massive popularity: baccarat

baccarat
Playing in baccarat

Over time, these establishments started receiving quiet approval from the police. By the early 20th century, the French Ministry of the Interior wanted to make it a regulated industry. But there was a problem: Napoleon’s 1806 decree still stood in the way.

So, in 1907, a new law was passed that allowed casinos in Paris and resort towns to operate year-round. This was only the beginning. More key laws followed:

  • 1923: Gambling was legalized in private clubs.
  • 1933: The National Lottery was reinstated.

By the 20th century, France had finally come to terms with the reality that gambling wasn’t going anywhere. Instead of trying to stamp it out, they realized it needed to be regulated. What followed next is a story for the modern era.

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