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FDJ Reports 5.2% Rise in Revenue in Q1 2021

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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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Fast Track

Fast Track Introduces “Tournaments” Feature

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Fast Track has expanded its AI-driven gamification platform, Rewards, with the launch of “Tournaments”. This new feature provides operators with a powerful tool to strengthen player retention. By leveraging real-time leaderboards, Tournaments allow players to compete directly for prizes—a proven strategy for increasing session length and frequency of play.

Tournaments integrate with the company’s Singularity Model, allowing operators to match players to competitions based on how they play. A player who chases big wins can be entered into a multiplier-based competition. A volume player competes on turnover. The result is tournaments that feel personal and perform better.

For operators managing multiple brands, the feature removes duplication. A single tournament setup can be applied across all brands and languages through Player Origins, Fast Track’s multi-brand management layer.

“Operators have either built tournaments in-house or used tools disconnected from their CRM, both creating friction at scale. Tournaments in Rewards solves that, but the real value is in relevance. Connected to the Singularity Model, operators aren’t just running competitions – they’re running the right competition for each player,” Simon Lidzén, CEO of Fast Track, said.

The post Fast Track Introduces “Tournaments” Feature appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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European iGaming industry

Expanse Studios to Release Super Heli Premium in Late January 2026

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Expanse Studios, a subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group, is going to release Super Heli Premium later this month, an expanded version of its flagship crash game with new gameplay mechanics and enhanced operator customization.

The original Super Heli became one of the most requested titles in European iGaming within months of launch. Session lengths consistently run above industry averages, and operators report retention metrics “materially better than category norms”. The game’s multi-bet mechanics created a tension loop that traditional slots struggle to match: players bet on a helicopter’s ascent, deciding when to cash out before it crashes.

Super Heli Premium will introduce several improvements designed to broaden player appeal and give operators more deployment flexibility:

• New gameplay modes expand strategic options beyond the base game’s single mechanic, adding prediction-based betting and range-based outcomes that reward both conservative and aggressive play styles

• Improved RTP, which will increase player return rates while maintaining the volatility profile that made the original title successful with operators

• Advanced cash-out mechanics will give players more control over risk management during active rounds, allowing partial exits while keeping stakes in play

• Thematic customization enables operators to deploy region-specific visual themes without changing core gameplay.

The additions position Super Heli Premium as a platform play rather than a single-variant release. Operators can configure the game to match specific audience segments, whether deploying for broad casual appeal or tailoring parameters for experienced players seeking deeper strategic layers.

Expanse Studios currently operates across 1300+ B2B partnerships globally, with over 300 new operators added in Q3 2025 alone.

Full feature details and technical specifications will be released at launch in late January 2026. The game will be available across Expanse’s global operator network, including active integrations in the US, Brazil, Europe, and emerging markets in Eastern Europe and Africa.

The post Expanse Studios to Release Super Heli Premium in Late January 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Gaming Laboratories International

GLI Promotes Malvina Mikaelian and Reenesh Mahabeer to Senior Directors of Engineering

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Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has promoted Malvina Mikaelian and Reenesh Mahabeer to Senior Directors of Engineering.

Mikaelian has been with GLI for 22 years and is based in the Las Vegas lab. Over her history with the company, she has opened GLI’s South Africa and Las Vegas labs and has led the technical group through the most dynamic advances in gaming technology.

“Malvina brings a proven track record of technical leadership, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration. In her new role, she will lead strategic engineering initiatives, strengthen organizational execution, and help drive the next phase of innovation and growth for the global land-based division,” Andrea Bossard, Vice President of Engineering at GLI, said.

Mahabeer is based in GLI’s South Africa lab and has been with the company for just under 20 years, working his way from a Senior Engineer to his current position as Senior Director of Engineering. He has led his team through multiple changes in the South African gaming landscape, in both land-based and iGaming.

“Reenesh is a trusted, exceptional leader driving our global digital initiatives and accelerating innovation in emerging technologies. He combines vast market and technical expertise to deliver global consistency and a world-class experience for our clients, while inspiring peers and empowering his team,” Ginnie Hollis, Vice President of Engineering at GLI, said.

The post GLI Promotes Malvina Mikaelian and Reenesh Mahabeer to Senior Directors of Engineering appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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