Two months away from privatization, FdJ's revenues are rising sharply

La Française des Jeux, whose privatization could begin in November, has garnered increases of 9% in the third quarter to 4.12 billion euros, thanks to the flight of the draw games, she said Monday, banking on a growth of 7% of the bets in 2019.

Over the first nine months of 2019, the stakes recorded by the FdJ amounted to 12.54 billion euros (+ 8%), gains pocketed by players climbing in the same proportions to 8.52 billion euros, the company said in a statement.

If the games of draw and scratch remain the main activity of the operator still held about 70% by the State, sports betting continues to fly (+ 14% over one year from January to September, 2 , 56 billion euros), after crossing for the first time the mark of 3 billion euros in 2018.

More moderate progress next year

Second European lottery and fourth worldwide, the FdJ also reports a turnover of 1.42 billion euros in the first three quarters of the year (+ 7% over one year), and anticipates the to reach 1.9 billion euros over the whole year, against 1.8 billion in 2018.

After an expected growth of 7% of the bets this year, the Française des Jeux expects a more moderate increase of 4 to 5% next year, even if the operator should take advantage of the Euro-2020, while the figure business should grow by 5% on a comparable basis, "she said.

Crucial indicator: in the first three quarters of 2019, the contribution of the FdJ to public finances has increased by 7% to 2.62 billion euros – this manna for the state to be maintained even after privatization.

"Probably before the end of November"

Parliament finally adopted the Pact Act in April, which authorizes the transfer to the private sector of the majority of the capital of the FdJ, while the state will become a minority shareholder up to 20% "at a minimum".

In early September, the Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire had assured that this privatization could occur "probably before the end of November".

The minister then acknowledged that the conditions for privatization remained "in the process of being defined", while justifying the operation again. "The role of the state is not to deal with games of drawing and scratching" but to ensure control with the establishment of a regulatory authority games, he had insisted.