A bill that would open certain areas of the French online gaming market to competition from private operators is set to be presented to French lawmakers in the autumn.

The decision is the result of a recent meeting between E.U. Internal Markets Commissioner Charlie McCreevy and France Budget Minister Eric Woerth.

A regulatory authority will be established in the first half of 2009 to award licenses, which will be valid for five years. The first licenses could be granted as early as the second half of 2009. Operators licensed in other European states will still have to apply for a French license.

In a related matter, the French government will sell its stake in the French national lottery and sports betting monopoly, Francaise des Jeux. The operator has annual sales of €9.5 billion.