January 5, 2013 : A GOOD YEAR FOR FRENCH LAND AND ONLINE GAMBLING FIRM
Francaise des Jeux announces new record for annual turnover
The majority state-owned French online and land gambling group, Francaise des Jeux, created a new company record with its annual turnover in 2012, for the first time breaching the Euro 12.1 billion barrier, an increase of 6.1 percent according to a report from Agence France Presse.
In fiscal 2011, the group reported an 8.5 percent rise in revenues to Euro 11.4 billion.
A company spokesman said the year had been exceptional, with three Friday the thirteenths and a number of other symbolic dates which had resonated with the punters, such as 10 -11 to 12, 12-12-12 and 21-12-12.
In addition, there were European sporting events with international appeal, and four lottery roll-over cycles boosted jackpots and the appeal of the lottery operations, which made a significant contribution to overall revenues.
FDJ revealed that it had achieved Euro 1.6 billion in Euro Millions lottery sales, an increase of 6.9 percent, with the European jackpot reaching Euro 190 million for the first time. Lotto sales were similarly buoyant at Euro 1.5 billion (up 1.2 percent).
Scratch games, sold under the brand Illiko, in 2012 raised Euro 5.4 billion in sales, representing 44 percent of total sales of the FDJ, up 7.5 percent.
Sports betting also delivered strong growth.
Internet sales topped Euro 400 million.
At Sports Paris, the physical points of sale network, revenues reached Euro 1.37 billion (1.06 billion in 2011) an increase of 29 percent, however online sales decreased from Euro 74 million in 2011 to Euro 70 million.
The group delivered Euro 2.85 billion to the taxman, an increase of Euro 118 million over 2011, and contributed over Euro 200 million to French sports through the National Sport Development organisation.
La Francaise Des Jeux S.A. was formerly known as Loterie Nationale and changed its name to La Francaise Des Jeux S.A. in 1991. The company was founded in 1933 and is based in Boulogne Billancourt, France.