A bill to open up online gambling to competition in France foresees a 7.5% tax on sports and horse racing and a 2% tax on poker, French Budget Minister Eric Woerth said Thursday.

The bill will be presented to ministers at the end of March or the beginning of April and should be voted on in the parliament and the senate before the 2009 summer recess, Woerth said.

The opening up of the online gambling market should come into effect Jan. 1, 2010, Woerth added.

(Dow Jones)