Brussels, 19/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 19 June, the European Commission approved a French proposal for a parafiscal levy on online horse-race betting to finance horse-racing companies. The changes made to the proposal by the French authorities after the opening of a Commission investigation ensure fair competition between horse-race betting operators. As part of the opening-up to competition of online horse-race betting, France notified the Commission of a proposal for a parafiscal levy of 8% on stakes from this betting in order to finance a service to improve the bloodline and promote horse-breeding, which would be entrusted to horse-racing companies. As a result of the Commission's investigation, the French authorities submitted an amended proposal. The new scheme comprises assistance to the horse-racing sector, based on the common interest that the PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain) and the competing operators of online horse-race betting attach to the organisation of horse races on which bets are taken. Only the costs directly associated with the organisation of these races enter into the calculation of the level of the levy. This approach reduces the levy to approximately 5.6% from the 8% originally planned. The Commission takes the view that the new scheme is compatible with the internal market. The French authorities have undertaken to provide an implementation report to the Commission two years after the entry into force of the new measure, which is scheduled for 1 January 2014. (LC/transl.fl)