Industry News
FDJ Reports 5.2% Rise in Revenue in Q1 2021
French gaming giant La Française des Jeux (FDJ) has reported a year-on-year rise in revenue and stakes during its first quarter, despite continuing restrictions on retail activity related to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Total revenue for the three months to March 31 amounted €537.6m, up 5.2% from €511.2m in the same period last year. Gross gaming revenue was up by 5.1% year-on-year to €525.9m, while revenue from other activities jumped 10.7% from €10.6m to €11.8m.
FDJ said the rise in revenue was driven by an increase in stakes, with players spending a total of €4.6bn, up 11.8% from €4.11bn in Q1 of last year, despite the operator facing longer restrictions related to the pandemic than the same period in 2020.
However, despite the limitations, player spending was up across all areas of the group, most notably in sports betting, where stakes hiked 46.1% to €1.1bn, helped by the return of the traditional sports calendar after disruption in the latter part of Q1 2020.
Lottery remained FDJ’s main source of income with stakes here rising 3.8% to €3.46bn, or 10.0% when excluding the Amigo game, which is offered in bars. FDJ said the closure of bars and other Covid-19 measures had a significant impact on Amigo, with stakes down 50%.
Draw-based game stakes were up 2.6% year-on-year to €1.3bn, while instant games stakes also increase 4.6% to €2.1bn
In terms of where customers were gambling, land-based operations remained the most popular source, with stakes here rising 5.7% to €4.0bn, despite the restrictions. Digital stakes jumped 64.7% to €1.4bn as more players turned to online during the quarter.
Players won a total of €3.20bn gambling with FDJ during the quarter, up 13.7% from €2.81bn in the same period last year. This left €1.40bn in gross gaming revenue and after paying €915.7m in public levies, revenue stood at €537.6m.
“Despite the enduring impact of the health situation on the environment, the first quarter confirmed the good trends in our business, with stakes exceeding the levels recorded before the crisis,” FDJ chairwoman and chief executive Stéphane Pallez said.
“After reaching almost 10% of our global stakes in 2020, digital stakes continue to grow at a strong rate whereas our network activity is maintained. The events program for lottery and a busy sporting calendar, including Euro 2021 in football, should allow this momentum to continue in the months to come.”
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GR8 Tech
GR8 Tech Unveils Major Platform Enhancements Ahead of the World Cup
GR8 Tech is implementing a series of platform-wide enhancements designed to help operators maximize performance during the year’s biggest sporting event. With the World Cup expected to drive massive traffic, repeated betting surges, and intense competition for player acquisition, these updates focus on the areas that most directly impact operator results. The improvements aim to help partners convert more traffic, retain more players, and extract greater value throughout the entire tournament journey.
“World Cup traffic by itself does not guarantee better results. What matters is how well operators can turn that attention into acquisition, conversion, retention, and long-term player value,” said Denys Parkhomenko, Chief Product Officer at GR8 Tech. “That is where our focus is right now. We are enhancing the sportsbook experience, expanding engagement and loyalty tools, and advancing our crypto capabilities to help partners make the most of the biggest opportunity of the year.”
Key Areas of Focus
1. Sportsbook
The sportsbook is receiving a comprehensive upgrade, including redesigned navigation for easier event discovery, improved campaign visibility, and enhanced Bet Builder functionality. Additional updates include quick-access, player-specific markets and new Odds Boost features, balancing player appeal with margin control.
2. Engagement and Retention
GR8 Tech is expanding its loyalty and bonus systems with a VIP-focused program, automated bonus mechanics, more flexible bonus selection, and enriched casino and sports-related engagement tools. The update also includes updated tournament settings and the introduction of new game content to enhance player retention.
3. Crypto
The company is strengthening its crypto offering with early-stage player segmentation based on wallet transaction history, more flexible VIP and risk management before first deposit, and smoother wallet-based payments, including ramp payments and direct top-ups via WalletConnect and other wallets.
Across the platform, these updates are designed to help operators capitalize on the World Cup’s peak traffic, delivering measurable improvements at every stage of the player journey. Detailed release notes will follow, highlighting specific product enhancements and the developments shaping GR8 Tech’s World Cup-ready platform.
GR8 Tech – Platform for Champions
GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider of high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions that empower operators to lead and win in competitive markets. Its portfolio includes Crypto Turnkey and Hyper Turnkey solutions, ULTIM8 Sportsbook, Infinite Casino Aggregation, and the proprietary affiliate management platform Aff.Tech.
With a geo-specific, operator-first approach, GR8 Tech delivers practical innovations that drive measurable results quickly and efficiently. Trusted by top operators worldwide, the company has over 100 successful deployments and multiple industry recognitions, including Platform Provider of the Year at the SBC Awards 2025.
The post GR8 Tech Unveils Major Platform Enhancements Ahead of the World Cup appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Akshay Khanna
Jackpot.com Launches First of its Kind Loyalty Program, “Jackpot Rewards”
Jackpot.com announced the launch of Jackpot Rewards, a new loyalty program designed to reward players for their engagement with the platform. The program is the first loyalty program offered by a lottery courier tailored to the lottery industry. It allows customers to earn points on every order while unlocking special challenges, exclusive promotions, and other perks. Players can redeem their points to order more tickets and get more chances to win.
The program introduces a new layer of excitement and engagement for Jackpot.com customers, encouraging regular play while providing meaningful value through ongoing promotions and milestone achievements.
“Jackpot Rewards is an important step forward in how we reward and engage our players. Our goal has always been to build the most player-friendly lottery platform in the market. With Jackpot Rewards, we’re creating a differentiated experience where every order counts toward something bigger – whether that’s unlocking new promotions, completing challenges, or earning rewards just for playing,” said Akshay Khanna, CEO of Jackpot.com.
The program reflects Jackpot.com’s continued focus on enhancing the player experience through innovation and loyalty-driven features. By combining points accumulation with dynamic challenges and promotions, Jackpot Rewards introduces a gamified system that rewards engagement and builds deeper connections with players.
Jackpot Rewards will initially be available to players in Ohio, Massachusetts, Arkansas, Colorado, and Arizona, with additional markets expected to be added over time.
The post Jackpot.com Launches First of its Kind Loyalty Program, “Jackpot Rewards” appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Ainsworth Game Technology
AGEM Announces Board Of Directors Elected at 2026 Annual Meeting
The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) announced that its membership elected a new Board of Directors at its 2026 Annual Meeting. AGEM Board Chair Ryan Comstock, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Ainsworth Game Technology, was not up for election as he transitions into the second year of his two-year term as Chair and led the meeting which approved one-year terms on the Board of Directors for:
• Elaine Hodgson, DIRECTOR (President / CEO, Incredible Technologies)
• Lauralyn Sandoval, DIRECTOR (Vice President of Gaming Strategy & Business Development, Aristocrat Gaming)
• Phil O’Shaughnessy, DIRECTOR (Vice President, Global Communications, Government Relations & Sustainability, IGT)
• Steve DiMasi, DIRECTOR (Senior Vice President of Global Government Affairs & Business Development, Light & Wonder)
• Randy Gilbert, SECRETARY (Chief Executive Officer, TableTrac)
• Thomas Jingoli, TREASURER (President & Chief Operating Officer, Konami Gaming).
The AGEM Board of Directors also approved one-year terms as ex-officio/non-voting members on the Board of Directors for:
• Cassie Stratford, EX-OFFICIO DIRECTOR (Senior Vice President, Legal Operations & Compliance–Boyd Gaming Corporation; Global Gaming Women Advisory Board Member)
• Bob Parente, EX-OFFICIO DIRECTOR & ASSISTANT TREASURER (Executive Vice President & Chief Business Development Officer, Light & Wonder).
The post AGEM Announces Board Of Directors Elected at 2026 Annual Meeting appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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