The Cour de Cessation, the highest appeal court in France, has ruled that combating criminal activity is the sole justification a country can use for a monopoly on local sports betting.

The court overturned a decision this week to ban Zeturf, a gambling firm based in Malta, from offering online betting at French horse racing events. Originally the ruling had been made in favor of Paris Mutuel Urbain, which holds a monopoly in French horse betting.

The ruling by France’s top court has followed similar pressures exhorted by the European Commission to end the state’s monopoly on gambling activity. Imposing limits on competitors, including those “stemming from limits on gaming as a special or exclusive right, cannot be justified,” the Cour de Cessation said in its announcement of the decision. The only justification that merits consideration should be when countries are trying to deter gambling companies from “criminal or fraudulent” activities.

The case involving Zetuf and Paris Mutuel Urbain will now return to court for a second appeal. Another ruling is not expected for a year.

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