The amazing history of an incredible and beautiful crystal palace in Nice which no longer exists except in paintings, postcards and a few old photographs…
The town of Nice in the south of France has long attracted admirers from around the world. It has been that way for a long time; the construction of the Promenade des Anglais in 1820 certainly reflected the fact that the Brits loved to come here for the winter sun and summer fun (they still do).
Casino Barriere Le Ruhl. #1 of 2 Casinos & Gambling in Nice. 'It is a clean and well-maintained Casino with - as it seemed - always many visitors.' 'The casino has a fun, comfortable. #1 of 2 Casinos & Gambling in Nice 'It is a clean and well-maintained Casino with - as it seemed - always many visitors.' 'The casino has a fun, comfortable atmosphere.'
The attractions of Nice were many, a lovely beach, though at that time the Victorians were not that keen to actually getting into the water, they preferred to look at it. Sunbathing and swimming came much later when wealthy Americans discovered the French Riviera. The beautiful countryside, the weather, the food, the peaceful way of life -there was plenty to tempt foreigners to the shores of this once sleepy town.
In the 1870s the council of Nice decided to add to the pleasures of Nice and, inspired by the Crystal Palace in London they asked for tenders to create a fabulous pier and casino. It was to have walkways, restaurants, lounges for afternoon tea, shops and a theatre. It would be somewhere to promenade with stunning sea views and was to be called the Palais de la Jetée – the palace of the pier, a true representative of the Belle Epoque.
Best Casinos In Nice France
After choosing an architect and builder, work finally began at the end of the 1870s. The planned building was sure to appeal to the British visitors, there were resemblances to the Brighton Palace as well as Crystal Palace; but there were dissenting voices about its design – 'a monstrous jellyfish' said some. The building project was fraught with difficulty, various parties fell out and were replaced, the building took years to complete and went way over budget. Then disaster struck, a suspicious fire broke out just four days before the Pier was due to be opened to the public in April 1883 and it seemed that the crystal casino would never be finished.
Finally in 1891, 18 years after the idea was first raised, the construction of the casino and pier was finished. It was said that at night when it was lit up it was a most incredible sight, seemingly floating out in the sea in the dark. Music could be heard drifting across the bay, operettas, vaudeville and orchestras; the sound of laughter filled the air. The Crystal casino was, as predicted, a huge success with visitors.
The Palais de la Jetée was though to have just a brief and splendid life. After rising from the first fire and being reborn in all its splendour, it was barely to survive 50 years.
Today the casino is no more and of the pier there remains just a fractured metal structure, broken and isolated in its watery surroundings.
The pier was closed in 1942 and stripped of its valuable metals, copper, brass, bronze and electric wiring, to be used by the German army. The government ordered its destruction. The Nice Pier and Casino, shops, gaming rooms, casino, theatre and restaurants were all demolished and the remains were left to rot in their watery grave.
Hardly anything remains today to give any indication at all of its former glory. In fact you would never know the Palais de la Jetée in Nice had ever existed if it weren't for the old postcards and photos that can be found on E-Bay. The chandelier that hangs in the Church of St Roche used to light the interior of the beautiful domed palace on the Pier and is one of a very few artefacts that survived. The paintings of Raol Dufy give an evocative feel for what it must have been like.
Until now we can only imagine how the bay of Nice would have looked with its amazing crystal Palace, Mario Asso architects have created an image to give us an idea, and yes, it would still look fabulous.
Read about the Mid Day Canon of Nice
The Bay of Angels Nice
Cours Saleya Market Nice
France is mostly a gambling-friendly nation with laws that permit most forms of gambling online and in the real world. Current laws restrict French betting sites from offering casino games, but sports betting, poker and horse racing betting are all legal and regulated. Land-based casinos can spread nearly any game they choose.
Best French Betting Sites
The French regulation experience has served as a useful lesson in what works and what doesn't work from a regulatory and business perspective. In the years following regulation, the French online betting industry failed to meet expectations due to punitive tax rates and burdensome regulations. Total gambling revenue figures were disappointing relative to the large, affluent and pro-gambling population of France.
Despite the failings of our politicians, the industry does manage to chug along and still offers a decent number of options for gamblers. Several years later, online betting sites in France are beginning to show improvement. Additionally, the government finally changed its stance on keeping French poker players fenced off from the rest of the world. Now, French players may find themselves seated at tables with players from other countries.
Quick History of Gambling in France: French have always gambled in large numbers, whether legally or by other means. The first instance of gambling regulation in France was horse racing, which was regulated in 1920. State run shops had a monopoly on all horse race betting throughout France. In 1933, the national lottery was also established and once again, was a state owned company which had a monopoly on the industry. Finally, in 1976 legalized sports betting came to France and you guessed it – another state owned, state run monopoly.
France has over 160 state licensed casinos that offer everything from casino games to sports betting to person-vs-person poker. Some of the most prestigious casinos in the world call France home. The legal gambling age in France is now 18.
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The Rise and Regulation of Online Betting
France authorized limited forms of state run online gambling as early as 2004. The PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain) and the FDJ (Francaise des Jeux) were granted government backed monopolies over horse racing, betting games and lotteries.
The EU came knocking in 2006 complaining of French efforts to thwart international competition in favour of local monopoly providers. Chief among the EU's complaints were French gaming laws that were obviously intended to protect the domestic industry. The EU issued a request the France change its gaming laws. Eventually, France acquiesced with the implementation of the French Gambling Act in 2010 (full text here).
The bill created a new regulatory authority for online gaming called ARJEL. Most notably, the bill broke up the state run monopolies that had run France's betting industry for the past 40+ years. It also provided much-needed clarity on which games may be offered online. Live sports betting, pool betting and fixed odds were all made expressly legal while spread betting and exchanges became prohibited. Online horse racing betting also maintained its legal status.
Online poker also received the blessing of the French government after they determined it to be a game of skill and not luck. A handful of poker sites jumped at the chance to obtain a French license, but that side of online gaming is also troubled. For one, tax laws take an additional cut out of every poker pot and effectively raise the rake to as high as 8% in some cases.
Additionally, French poker laws prohibited international poker sites from combining player pools between countries. This effectively isolated the French market and made it very difficult for poker sites to build established player bases. If you have played online poker while in France in the last few years, you may have noticed that you were only seated with other French players. Compare this to the UK where it's normal to join a table with players from multiple countries.
The poker ring-fencing policy finally came to an end in 2016 after Parliament approved a wide-ranging internet activities bill that included a bit of text granting ARJEL the authority to approve combined player pools between licensed French poker sites and foreign sites in other EU/EEA nations.
French regulators followed up a year later by signing an agreement to share player pools with Spain, Italy and Portugal. This agreement permits poker sites licensed in all countries to share players – essentially allowing poker sites to be international in nature. Now, you can visit French poker sites and find players from other countries at your tables.
Online casino games were deemed to potentially addictive and remain prohibited under French law. Slot machines, table games, video poker and other traditional gambling games are all notably absent from licensed betting sites. Players looking for these games have no option but to find a brick-and-mortar casino or take their money to unlicensed foreign operators.
The French Market Today
The French betting sites that have not left the market do manage to turn a profit even if it's not what operators had hoped when the government first regulated online gambling. Some sites have struggled and closed shop while others continue to do fairly well despite the frustrating legal environment.
Best Casinos In Nice France
After choosing an architect and builder, work finally began at the end of the 1870s. The planned building was sure to appeal to the British visitors, there were resemblances to the Brighton Palace as well as Crystal Palace; but there were dissenting voices about its design – 'a monstrous jellyfish' said some. The building project was fraught with difficulty, various parties fell out and were replaced, the building took years to complete and went way over budget. Then disaster struck, a suspicious fire broke out just four days before the Pier was due to be opened to the public in April 1883 and it seemed that the crystal casino would never be finished.
Finally in 1891, 18 years after the idea was first raised, the construction of the casino and pier was finished. It was said that at night when it was lit up it was a most incredible sight, seemingly floating out in the sea in the dark. Music could be heard drifting across the bay, operettas, vaudeville and orchestras; the sound of laughter filled the air. The Crystal casino was, as predicted, a huge success with visitors.
The Palais de la Jetée was though to have just a brief and splendid life. After rising from the first fire and being reborn in all its splendour, it was barely to survive 50 years.
Today the casino is no more and of the pier there remains just a fractured metal structure, broken and isolated in its watery surroundings.
The pier was closed in 1942 and stripped of its valuable metals, copper, brass, bronze and electric wiring, to be used by the German army. The government ordered its destruction. The Nice Pier and Casino, shops, gaming rooms, casino, theatre and restaurants were all demolished and the remains were left to rot in their watery grave.
Hardly anything remains today to give any indication at all of its former glory. In fact you would never know the Palais de la Jetée in Nice had ever existed if it weren't for the old postcards and photos that can be found on E-Bay. The chandelier that hangs in the Church of St Roche used to light the interior of the beautiful domed palace on the Pier and is one of a very few artefacts that survived. The paintings of Raol Dufy give an evocative feel for what it must have been like.
Until now we can only imagine how the bay of Nice would have looked with its amazing crystal Palace, Mario Asso architects have created an image to give us an idea, and yes, it would still look fabulous.
Read about the Mid Day Canon of Nice
The Bay of Angels Nice
Cours Saleya Market Nice
France is mostly a gambling-friendly nation with laws that permit most forms of gambling online and in the real world. Current laws restrict French betting sites from offering casino games, but sports betting, poker and horse racing betting are all legal and regulated. Land-based casinos can spread nearly any game they choose.
Best French Betting Sites
The French regulation experience has served as a useful lesson in what works and what doesn't work from a regulatory and business perspective. In the years following regulation, the French online betting industry failed to meet expectations due to punitive tax rates and burdensome regulations. Total gambling revenue figures were disappointing relative to the large, affluent and pro-gambling population of France.
Despite the failings of our politicians, the industry does manage to chug along and still offers a decent number of options for gamblers. Several years later, online betting sites in France are beginning to show improvement. Additionally, the government finally changed its stance on keeping French poker players fenced off from the rest of the world. Now, French players may find themselves seated at tables with players from other countries.
Quick History of Gambling in France: French have always gambled in large numbers, whether legally or by other means. The first instance of gambling regulation in France was horse racing, which was regulated in 1920. State run shops had a monopoly on all horse race betting throughout France. In 1933, the national lottery was also established and once again, was a state owned company which had a monopoly on the industry. Finally, in 1976 legalized sports betting came to France and you guessed it – another state owned, state run monopoly.
France has over 160 state licensed casinos that offer everything from casino games to sports betting to person-vs-person poker. Some of the most prestigious casinos in the world call France home. The legal gambling age in France is now 18.
Look through our vast collection of officially licensed Harley-Davidson® poker table and chairs. Harley-Davidson Ride Free Round Cafe Table, Durable Steel Base - Black HDL-12332. Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Flames Poker Table - Heritage Brown Finish. Harley davidson poker table for sale.
The Rise and Regulation of Online Betting
France authorized limited forms of state run online gambling as early as 2004. The PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain) and the FDJ (Francaise des Jeux) were granted government backed monopolies over horse racing, betting games and lotteries.
The EU came knocking in 2006 complaining of French efforts to thwart international competition in favour of local monopoly providers. Chief among the EU's complaints were French gaming laws that were obviously intended to protect the domestic industry. The EU issued a request the France change its gaming laws. Eventually, France acquiesced with the implementation of the French Gambling Act in 2010 (full text here).
The bill created a new regulatory authority for online gaming called ARJEL. Most notably, the bill broke up the state run monopolies that had run France's betting industry for the past 40+ years. It also provided much-needed clarity on which games may be offered online. Live sports betting, pool betting and fixed odds were all made expressly legal while spread betting and exchanges became prohibited. Online horse racing betting also maintained its legal status.
Online poker also received the blessing of the French government after they determined it to be a game of skill and not luck. A handful of poker sites jumped at the chance to obtain a French license, but that side of online gaming is also troubled. For one, tax laws take an additional cut out of every poker pot and effectively raise the rake to as high as 8% in some cases.
Additionally, French poker laws prohibited international poker sites from combining player pools between countries. This effectively isolated the French market and made it very difficult for poker sites to build established player bases. If you have played online poker while in France in the last few years, you may have noticed that you were only seated with other French players. Compare this to the UK where it's normal to join a table with players from multiple countries.
The poker ring-fencing policy finally came to an end in 2016 after Parliament approved a wide-ranging internet activities bill that included a bit of text granting ARJEL the authority to approve combined player pools between licensed French poker sites and foreign sites in other EU/EEA nations.
French regulators followed up a year later by signing an agreement to share player pools with Spain, Italy and Portugal. This agreement permits poker sites licensed in all countries to share players – essentially allowing poker sites to be international in nature. Now, you can visit French poker sites and find players from other countries at your tables.
Online casino games were deemed to potentially addictive and remain prohibited under French law. Slot machines, table games, video poker and other traditional gambling games are all notably absent from licensed betting sites. Players looking for these games have no option but to find a brick-and-mortar casino or take their money to unlicensed foreign operators.
The French Market Today
The French betting sites that have not left the market do manage to turn a profit even if it's not what operators had hoped when the government first regulated online gambling. Some sites have struggled and closed shop while others continue to do fairly well despite the frustrating legal environment.
With all that said, legal betting sites in France still provide a variety of viable and profitable opportunities for bettors. French authorities are rumored to be reconsidering the prohibition of pool-sharing at poker sites and possibly taking other measures to give the industry a much-needed boost.
Taxes on Gambling Winnings: Gamblers do not pay any taxes on their online gambling winnings in France. As of 2015, poker, horse racing and sports betting are not taxable under current French gambling laws.
Football naturally attracts the lion's share of online betting handle in France. Licensed operators provide hundreds of markets for Ligue 1, Ligue 2, other domestic leagues and international matchups. Great blue free slot machine. Basketball also generates considerable action for local bookmakers. Fo
Texas Holdem and Omaha action is available at every online poker room along with a variety of tournaments and deposit bonuses. France's ring-fencing policy stifled the potential of online poker, but the country is home to enough players that the larger poker sites manage to attract nearly 10,000 players at a time during peak hours. Now that France has eased the ring-fencing policy, poker is starting to grow once again.
One positive side to French gambling regulation is that it is now super easy and safe to fund your online betting account. Banks, credit card issuers and e-wallet companies all work with the major licensed operators to provide players with same day deposits and withdrawals. Fees are minimal and withdrawals are usually processed within a couple days.
The Future of the Regulated Market in France
Casinos In Nice France
In a few years, France may be one of the largest regulated online gambling markets in the world. The French have always had a taste for wagering and their online gambling market has just taken off the ground. If taxes and regulations can keep operators competitive in France, there is no telling how successful online gambling could be in the country.
