Industry News

La Française des Jeux (FDJ) Announces its 2020 Results

Published

5 years ago

February 15, 2021

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

La Française des Jeux (FDJ), France’s leading gaming operator, has announced its 2020 results.

After the significant impact of the health crisis on the first half, which saw stakes fall by 18%, the gradual recovery during the summer was confirmed throughout the second half, with an increase of 3%. Over the year, FDJ recorded €16 billion in stakes, a decline of 7% compared with 2019.

Loto and Euromillions demonstrated their resistance, with a 6% increase in stakes to €3.2 billion. Amigo was heavily impacted, notably by its suspension during the first lockdown, recording a decline of more than 30%. Stakes on instant games, down 6% at €7.7 billion, were also affected by the impact of the health crisis on point-of-sale footfall. In total, lottery stakes were down 6% at €12.7 billion.

The decline in sports betting was limited to 10% to €3.2 billion over the year, thanks to growth of 20% in the second half, compared to the second half of 2019, following a decline of early 40% in the first half.

Stakes in the point-of-sale network were stable in the second half, after declining by more than 20% in the first half. FDJ provided support and assistance to its distribution network of nearly 30,000 points of sale.

Online stakes continued their strong momentum, with a further annual growth of nearly 40%, driven by digital lottery, up more than 60% at over €1.1 billion.

Revenue declined by 6% to €1,920 million. EBITDA totalled €427 million, representing a margin of 22.2% of revenue. EBITDA was preserved thanks notably to the implementation of a savings plan of more than €80 million.

Net profit amounted to €214 million. This compares with a net adjusted profit of €202 million for 2019, net of tax and adjusted for the new fiscal and regulatory framework effective from the beginning of 2020, the impact of exceptional long lottery cycles, Sporting Group’s full-year results, and expenses related to the Group’s IPO.

In 2020, the Group strengthened its financial structure, thanks to an EBITDA to cash conversion ratio maintained at over 80%, with available cash in excess of €1 billion at year-end.

FDJ’s Board of Directors will propose the payment of a dividend of 80% of the consolidated net profit to the Annual General Meeting of 16 June 2021, as the Group committed to do at the time of its IPO. The dividend of €0.90 per share will be paid on 23 June 2021.

“2020 was an unprecedented and contrasted year during which FDJ demonstrated resilience and solidarity. The health crisis had a particularly strong impact on our business in the first half. But the recovery in the second half, combined with the Group’s responsiveness and relevant digital strategy, enabled us to preserve our performance and annual results. I would like to thank our employees for their commitment, and to renew our support for our network of retailers, some of which have been severely impacted. As 2021 gets started, while uncertainties persist, the Group remains confident in its prospects for sustainable growth, consistent with its raison d’être,” Stéphane Pallez, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of FDJ group, said.

BC.GAME

BC.Game Names Kar Kheng Giam as CEO

Published

10 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

BC.Game, a leading global crypto-focused online gaming platform, has announced the appointment of Kar Kheng Giam (“KK”) as its new Chief Executive Officer. Giam brings over 30 years of international leadership experience across gaming, technology, and consumer industries.

Before joining BC.Game, KK served as Vice President International at Coyote Bioscience, leading global expansion initiatives. He also co-founded Topgame and Tinymobi, developing successful mobile social and casino-style games. Earlier in his career, KK held executive positions including CEO roles at multiple organizations and regional leadership at Nabisco Asia.

In his role as CEO, KK will oversee BC.Game’s strategic direction, operational leadership, and financial performance, with a focus on scaling globally, expanding into regulated markets, and driving innovation in crypto gaming.

“BC.Game has built a strong global community by combining cutting-edge technology with engaging entertainment experiences,” KK stated. “With the rising adoption of crypto in online gaming, our focus will be on enhancing the platform, building trust, and strengthening our presence in licensed markets.”

BC.Game currently holds licenses in multiple jurisdictions, including Anjouan, Nigeria, Kenya, Mexico, and Tanzania, as part of its long-term strategy to expand into fully regulated markets worldwide. This appointment aligns with the company’s ambitions to grow its global footprint and strengthen compliance while delivering innovative gaming experiences.

The post BC.Game Names Kar Kheng Giam as CEO appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

2025 financial results

ZEAL Reports Strong Double-Digit Growth

Published

11 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

ZEAL Network SE, Germany’s leading online lottery provider, closed 2025 with another year of robust double-digit growth.

Despite a weaker jackpot environment, the company significantly strengthened its core lottery business, accelerated diversification, and expanded its customer base—setting a solid foundation for long-term scalability.

The group delivered 16% revenue growth, reaching €218.5 million, while EBITDA rose 11% to €68.8 million. EBIT also climbed 12% to €60.1 million year over year. These results reinforce ZEAL’s strategic focus on building a multi-pillar digital entertainment ecosystem.

“At every level, our results confirm that our strategy works,” said Dr. Stefan Tweraser, CEO of ZEAL Network SE. “Expanding scalable products alongside our strong core lottery business increases resilience and positions us for ambitious future growth.”

CFO Andrea Behrendt highlighted continued investment in reducing jackpot dependence: “Our efforts create a sustainable and profitable growth structure.”

Core Lottery Business Continues to Lead Growth

ZEAL’s primary lottery brokerage remains its strongest revenue driver. Even with softer jackpot cycles:

Monthly active users climbed 8% to a record 1.558 million.
Lottery billings reached €1.1 billion, up 2%.
Gross margin increased to 17.7%.
Lottery-specific revenue surged 16% to €195.3 million.

These gains underline the brand’s ability to attract and retain large numbers of customers independent of jackpot volatility.

Dream House Raffle Becomes a Major Growth Pillar

The Traumhausverlosung (Dream House Raffle)—launched in 2024—has rapidly evolved into a strong secondary revenue stream. With guaranteed winners and high-appeal prize structures, the charity lottery generated:

€38.9 million in billings across four draws in 2025.

This success demonstrates the value of proprietary lottery products that complement ZEAL’s core business and enhance market differentiation.

Games Segment Accelerates With Expanded Portfolio

ZEAL also posted substantial growth in its digital Games division. The company extended its catalog to 650+ games, adding 400 new titles and strengthening collaborations with leading game developers.

As a result:

Games revenue increased 46%, reaching €14.4 million.
Active user numbers rose sharply.
Player protection remained a top priority, supported by AI-driven safeguards.

Customer Base Expansion Remains a Strategic Priority

ZEAL made targeted investments to grow its user base, acquiring 1.171 million new customers in 2025. As expected with aggressive acquisition:

Customer acquisition cost (CPL) increased to €46.47.
Marketing spending rose 20% to €68.6 million.

This investment is key to sustaining ZEAL’s long-term market position and unlocking additional cross-sell opportunities in games and charity lotteries.

2026 Outlook: Continued Growth and Diversification

Looking ahead to 2026, ZEAL aims to expand its German market leadership and scale its charitable lotteries freiheit+ and Traumhausverlosung, while continuing to strengthen its Games offering.

Forecasts for 2026 include:

Revenue between €250–260 million
EBITDA between €70–75 million

These projections already factor in increased investment to accelerate diversification and future-proof the business.

The post ZEAL Reports Strong Double-Digit Growth appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

iGaming Select

iGaming Select launches initiative to champion product and tech innovation

Published

19 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

igaming-select-launches-initiative-to-champion-product-and-tech-innovation

iGaming Select, a fresh supplier hub dedicated to highlighting and evaluating iGaming technology, is now operational with a distinct goal to simplify the process for operators in finding the top products within an ever-growing and marketing-focused environment.

iGaming Select, created by BetComply CMO Martin Hodges, iGP CMO Michael Baker-Mosley, and Digital Footprints founders Sharon McFarlane and Steve Lee, gathers authenticated reviews of numerous iGaming products, allowing truly innovative solutions the opportunity to rival bigger players.

Martin Hodges, Co-Founder at iGaming Select, said: “The way operators select suppliers is no longer working. It has become less about technology and product, and more about visibility, marketing budgets and noise. iGaming Select is founded on the simple principle that great technology should be easy to identify, giving operators a place to evaluate and compare suppliers based on what they actually offer.”

Operators are now confronted with numerous suppliers presenting similar solutions, and iGaming Select assists decision-makers in discerning valuable information through clear product capability descriptions, organized categorization, relevant operational details, and reviews based on actual usage.

The platform will also offer perspectives on how innovation can grow sustainably, giving operators, suppliers, and investors a better grasp of where lasting value is generated.

The post iGaming Select launches initiative to champion product and tech innovation appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.