FDJ pleased with growth in FY 2018 results

French online betting and gaming firm FDJ Group has reported a 4.4 percent increase in total stakes to Euro 15.817 billion in 2018 driven by continued investment in digital channels and a strong World Cup.

Digital channels contributed Euro 2.4 billion to total stakes, up 45.5 percent over 2017.

Sports betting broke the Euro 3 billion barrier delivering growth of 21 percent over 2017 driven by record betting on the World Cup which generated Euro 333 million in sports betting stakes, up 75 percent compared to the last World Cup in 2014. Without World Cup, sports betting grew 8 percent.

Online sports betting delivered a 60 percent increase to reach Euro 1.8 billion.

Lottery was up 1.1 percent to Euro 12.8 billion.

Online lottery grew 12 percent.

Retail stabilised with a reported 4 percent increase in growth in 2018.

FDJ distributed Euro 10.7 billion in winnings to customers, a return rate close to 68 percent, up almost 1 percent over 2017.

Stéphane Pallez, President and CEO of the FDJ Group:

“The continued growth in bids reflects the successful execution of our FDJ 2020 strategy, focusing on areas such as digital and innovation, which enhance the attractiveness of our games and distribution channels.”

FDJ’s 2020 strategic plan allocated Euro 500 million in investments until 2020 of which Euro 400 million has been spent to date, and Euro 100 million in 2018 alone.

Looking ahead, FDJ said its strategy of innovation and personalised marketing campaigns will continue.