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La Française des Jeux (FDJ) announces its results for the first half of 2020
The good momentum in stakes seen in the early part of the year (increase of 5% until mid-March) was halted by the consequences of the Covid-19 epidemic (decline of nearly 60% over the two months of lockdown). The gradual recovery since the lifting of lockdown in mid-May has accelerated with the gradual resumption of sporting competitions, including most of the national football championships in Europe, and the return of Amigo on 8 June. As such, the decline in stakes was limited to 18% over the half-year compared with the first half of 2019. They totalled €6.9 billion, breaking down as:
- Lottery stakes down 13% at €5.8 billion:
- Of which -15% for draw games to €2.2 billion and -11% for instant games to €3.6 billion;
- A 50% increase in online stakes to €0.5 billion.
- Sports betting stakes down 39% at €1.1 billion.
- Half-year revenue totalled €849 million, down 15% on an adjusted basis,1 and EBITDA amounted to €174 million, a margin of 20.5%.
- For EBITDA, the mechanical impact of the decline in activity was partially offset by the implementation of a large part of the savings plan of more than €80 million for 2020.
- From mid-June the Group has returned to an overall level of activity comparable with that of 2019. However, in view of the many uncertainties that remain, the Group does not communicate any business or earnings forecasts for the financial year 2020 as a whole. However, it should be borne in mind that the EBITDA margin for the second half of 2019 benefited from exceptional long lottery cycles, as well as unexpected sporting results, which reduced the player payout ratio in the sports betting segment.
Stéphane Pallez, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of FDJ, said: “The Group’s strong mobilisation from the onset of the health crisis and a swiftly implemented cost-cutting plan have limited the impact on the first-half results. For several weeks, we have been recording stakes at a level comparable with that of 2019. Our strategic orientations and the strength of the FDJ model have been confirmed, and we continue to invest to support the development of all our activities.”
The 2019 data used for the following analyses have been adjusted to reflect the new tax regime that came into force on 1st January 2020 and to consolidate Sporting Group over a full year (but without adjustment for long lottery cycles)
Key figures (in millions of euros)
|
30 June |
30 June 2019 adjusted |
Chg. vs |
30 June 2019 |
Chg. vs |
|
|
Stakes |
6,898 |
8,454 |
(18%) |
8,420 |
(18%) |
|
Revenue* |
849 |
995 |
(15%) |
944 |
(10%) |
|
Recurring operating profit |
124 |
165 |
(25%) |
136 |
(9%) |
|
Net profit |
50 |
|
|
96 |
(48%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA** |
174 |
208 |
(16%) |
177 |
(2%) |
|
EBITDA/revenue |
20.5% |
20.9% |
|
18.8% |
|
* Revenue: net gaming revenue and revenue from other activities
** EBITDA: recurring operating profit adjusted for depreciation and amortisation
Activity and results for H1 2020
- Stakes of €6.9 billion, down 18.4%
- Lottery stakes of €5.8 billion (-12.6%)
Lottery staked amounted to €5.8 billion, with a drop of 11.3% to €3.6 billion for instant games and a drop of 14.6% to €2.2 billion for draw games:
- For instant games, the decline can be attributed in large part to the steep decline in footfall in points of sale during lockdown and the lack of activity in the product portfolio during the second quarter;
- For draw games, the decrease can be ascribed chiefly to the suspension of Amigo, an express draw game in points of sales from 19 March to 8 June. Adjusted for Amigo, draw games stakes were down only slightly (-1.7%);
- Online lottery stakes enjoyed good momentum, with an increase of 50% to €0.5 billion, and a marked acceleration in the second quarter, driven mainly by growth in the number of active players and the almost doubling of new registrations on fdj.fr.
- Sports betting stakes of €1.1 billion (-38.8%)
Sports betting stakes totalled €1.1 billion. After a performance in line with objectives at the start of the year, sports betting stakes were impacted by the gradual cancellation of virtually all sporting competitions from mid-March 2020. No major sporting competitions took place during lockdown, which considerably reduced the betting offer. Since mid-May, sporting competitions, particularly football, have gradually resumed, resulting in a very significant resumption in stakes.
- Revenue down 14.7% at €849 million
On half-yearly stakes of €6.9 billion (-18.4%), player winnings totalled €4.6 billion (-19.9%), representing a player payout (PPO) ratio of 67.3%, compared with 68.4% in the first half of 2019. The decline in the PPO reflects the change in the betting mix, with a higher share of lottery games. In addition, the sports betting PPO was reduced by unexpected results.
FDJ recorded gross gaming revenue (GGR: stakes less prizes won) down 15.1% at €2.3 billion. Net gaming revenue (NGR: GGR less contribution to the public finances) amounted to €829 million, i.e. 12.0% of stakes, with stability in the rate of public levies on games compared with that of the first half of 2019 at 63.5% of GGR, or €1.4 billion.
The FDJ Group’s revenue amounted to €849 million (-14.7%), compared with €995 million in the six months to end-June 2019.
- EBITDA of €174 million, representing a margin of 20.5% on revenue (vs 20.9% in H1 2019)
- Contribution margin by activity:
- Lottery: contribution margin steady at 32.2%
The contribution margin of the Lottery BU was €219 million, i.e. a decline of €37 million (‑14.4%), for a margin on revenue of 32.2%, vs 33.2% in H1 2019 on the basis of revenue down 12.2% at €679 million.
Cost of sales, mainly the remuneration of distributors, was down 13.6% due to the drop in stakes in points of sale, while the slight increase of 6.6% in marketing and communication expenses to €65 million reflects the continued development of the product offering, partly offset by the reduction in advertising and promotional expenses.
- Sports betting: contribution margin of 31.3%, an increase of 7 points due to the low PPO ratio
The Sports Betting BU’s contribution margin was €45 million in H1 2020, almost stable compared with the same period in 2019 (€48 million), i.e. a margin on revenue of 31.3%, up more than 7 points compared with the first half of 2019 (24.3%). Based on a drop of 38.8% in stakes, the lower half-yearly PPO ratio than in the first half of 2019 (73.1% vs 77.7%) helped limit to €50 million the decline in revenue (-25.7%) to €145 million.
The 39.3% reduction in cost of sales reflects trends in stakes, while the 15.8% decline in marketing and communication expenses to €34 million is related to the reduction in advertising and promotional initiatives against the backdrop of a reduced product offering.
- Adjacent activities and holding company
Adjacent activities (International, Payments & Services and Entertainment) and the holding company recorded revenue of €24 million, with a contribution margin close to breakeven. Holding company costs amounted to €89 million, down €9 million compared with H1 2019.
- EBITDA margin of 20.5%, virtually stable thanks in large part to the implementation of a savings plan of more than €80 million
From the onset of the health crisis and its first effects, the Group implemented a savings plan of more than €80 million for 2020. Two-thirds of the plan, more than half of which covered A&P expenditure, was implemented in H1, helping offset more than half of the decline in activity and thereby helping keep FDJ’s EBITDA margin above 20%.
The Group’s operating expenses were down 12.5% at €725 million, of which:
– Cost of sales of €482 million, down 17.6%, which notably includes the remuneration of €336 million for distributors, down €88 million (-21%), in line with the decline in stakes in the point-of-sale network;
– Marketing and communication expenses of €147 million, down nearly 2%;
– General and administrative expenses of €87 million, down 7%.
Depreciation and amortisation amounted to €50 million, compared with €43 million in H1 2019. Their growth was driven mainly by the amortisation of exclusive operating rights over a full half-year in 2020, compared with a single month in H1 2019.
On those bases, the FDJ Group recorded a recurring operating profit of €124 million (-24.9%) and EBITDA of €174 million (-16.4%), i.e. a margin on revenue of 20.5%, compared with 20.9% in June 2019.
- Net income of €50 million including non-recurring items
In the first half of 2020, FDJ recorded other non-recurring operating expenses of €30 million, compared with €7 million in the first half of 2019. They related to Sporting Group, on which FDJ recorded impairment due to its sports betting activity in the United Kingdom.
The financial result for the first half of 2020 (expense of €5 million) reflects the change in the value of part of FDJ’s financial assets in a context of bearish financial markets.
After taking into account a net tax expense of €39 million, down €5 million, the Group’s net profit for the first half of 2020 was €50 million.
- Available cash exceeding €800 million and net cash surplus of €298 million at end-June 2020
At the end of June 2020, the Group had more than €800 million in available cash.
The net cash surplus is one of the indicators of the level of net cash generated by the Group. It corresponds mainly to financial investments and gross cash (€1,154 million), less borrowings (€733 million).
As of 30 June 2020, it amounted to €298 million, an increase of €218 million compared with 31 December 2019. The change was mainly attributable to:
– The EBITDA generated over the half-year, plus a dual positive effect on working capital surplus linked on the one hand to the change in the payment schedule for public levies (monthly in 2020 but weekly in 2019) and on the other hand to unclaimed prizes only returned to the State at the end of the year;
– Against which are charged dividends in respect of 2019 and investments for the first half of the year.
For information, the net cash surplus at the end of June cannot be extrapolated to the end of December because there are significant calendar effects on the payments of public levies, including an advance on public levies in December.
A financial presentation is available on the FDJ group’s website
https://www.groupefdj.com/en/investors/financial-publications.html.
FDJ’s Board of Directors met on 29 July 2020 and reviewed the interim consolidated financial statements at 30 June 2020, which were prepared under its responsibility. The limited review procedures on the interim consolidated financial statements have been carried out. The review report of the statutory auditors is being issued.
The Group’s next financial communication
Given the changing nature of the situation, the estimates and forward-looking statement presented by FDJ cannot constitute either a forecast or a target. The Group will announce its stakes and revenue for the September quarter after trading on 14 October and will issue its new 2020 outlook as soon as possible.
About La Française des Jeux (FDJ Group):
France’s national lottery and leading gaming operator, the #2 lottery in Europe and #4 worldwide, FDJ offers secure, enjoyable and responsible gaming to the general public in the form of lottery games (draws and instant games) and sports betting (ParionsSport), available from physical outlets and online. FDJ’s performance is driven by a portfolio of iconic and recent brands, the #1 local sales network in France, a growing market, recurring investment and a strategy of innovation to make its offering and distribution more attractive with an enhanced gaming experience.
FDJ Group is listed on the Euronext Paris regulated market (Compartment A – FDJ.PA) and is included in the SBF 120, Euronext Vigeo France 20, STOXX Europe 600, MSCI Europe and FTSE Euro indices.
For further information, www.groupefdj.com
Appendices
Adjusted 2019 data, with the full-year application of the new tax regime that came into force on 1 January 2020 and the consolidation of Sporting Group over 12 months.
|
In € million |
30 June 2020 |
30 June 2019 |
Chg. 30 June 2020 vs |
30 June 2019 |
Chg. 30 June 2020 vs |
|
Stakes* |
6,898 |
8,420 |
(18.1%) |
8,454 |
(18.4%) |
|
Attributable to Lottery |
5,777 |
6,609 |
(12.6%) |
6,609 |
(12.6%) |
|
Instant lottery games** |
3,558 |
4,012 |
(11.3%) |
4,012 |
(11.3%) |
|
Draw games |
2,219 |
2,598 |
(14.6%) |
2,598 |
(14.6%) |
|
Attributable to Sports betting |
1,108 |
1,810 |
(38.8%) |
1,810 |
(38.8%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Digitalised stakes*** |
1,391 |
1,652 |
(15.8%) |
1,652 |
(15.8%) |
|
Offline stakes |
6,269 |
7,917 |
(20.8%) |
7,917 |
(20.8%) |
* Stakes reflect wagers by players, and do not constitute the revenue of the FDJ Group
** Mainly scratch games (point of sale and online)
*** Digitalised stakes include online and digitalised stakes at the point of sale, i.e. using a digital service/application for their preparation, prior to registration by the distributor
|
In € million |
30 June 2020 |
30 June 2019 |
Chg. 30 June 2020 vs |
30 June 2019 |
Chg. 30 June 2020 vs |
|
Stakes |
6,898 |
8,420 |
(18.1%) |
8,454 |
(18.4%) |
|
Player winnings |
4,646 |
5,757 |
(19.3%) |
5,799 |
(19.9%) |
|
Player payout ratio |
67.3% |
68.4% |
|
68.6% |
|
|
Gross gaming revenue (GGR) |
2,253 |
2,663 |
(15.4%) |
2,654 |
(15.0%) |
|
GGR as a % of stakes |
32.7% |
31.6% |
3.3% |
31.4% |
4.0% |
|
Net gaming revenue (NGR) |
829 |
933 |
(11.2%) |
976 |
(15.0%) |
|
NGR as a % of stakes |
12.0% |
11.1% |
8.5% |
11.5% |
4.1% |
|
Revenue |
849 |
944 |
(10.1%) |
995 |
(14.7%) |
Segment reporting
| 30 June 2020 | |||||||
| In € millions | Lottery BU | Sport Betting BU |
Other segments |
Holding company |
Total before depreciation and amortisation |
Depreciation and amortisation |
Total Group |
| Stakes |
5,777 |
1,108 |
14 |
– |
6,898 |
6,898 |
|
| Gross gaming revenue |
1,954 |
298 |
1 |
– |
2,253 |
2,253 |
|
| Net gaming revenue |
677 |
145 |
6 |
– |
829 |
829 |
|
| Revenue |
679 |
145 |
24 |
1 |
849 |
849 |
|
| Cost of sales |
(395) |
(65) |
(3) |
– |
(464) |
(18) |
(482) |
| Marketing and communication expenses |
(65) |
(34) |
(21) |
(12) |
(133) |
(14) |
(147) |
| Contribution margin |
219 |
45 |
(1) |
(12) |
251 |
(32) |
219 |
| General and administration expenses |
(78) |
(78) |
(18) |
(95) |
|||
| EBITDA |
174 |
||||||
| Depreciation and amortisation |
(50) |
||||||
| Recurring operating profit |
124 |
||||||
| BU Loterie | BU Paris sportifs |
ABU | Holding | Total avant amort. |
Amort. | Total Groupe | |
| Mises |
6,610 |
1,810 |
34 |
0 |
8,454 |
8,454 |
|
| Produit Brut des Jeux (PBJ) |
2,251 |
403 |
0 |
0 |
2,654 |
2,654 |
|
| Produit Net des Jeux (PNJ) |
771 |
195 |
9 |
0 |
976 |
976 |
|
| Chiffre d’affaires |
773 |
195 |
27 |
0 |
995 |
995 |
|
| Coût des ventes |
-456 |
-107 |
-3 |
0 |
-566 |
-19 |
-585 |
| Coûts marketing et communication |
-61 |
-41 |
-22 |
-14 |
-138 |
-12 |
-150 |
| Marge contributive |
256 |
48 |
2 |
-14 |
291 |
-31 |
260 |
| Coûts administratifs et généraux |
-83 |
-83 |
-12 |
-95 |
|||
| EBITDA |
208 |
||||||
| Dotations aux amortissements |
-43 |
||||||
| Résultat Opérationnel Courant |
165 |
| 30 June 2019 published | |||||||
| In € millions | Lottery BU |
Sport Betting BU |
Other segments |
Holding company |
Total before depreciation and amortisation |
Depreciation and amortisation |
Total Group |
| Stakes |
6,610 |
1,810 |
– |
– |
8,420 |
8,420 |
|
| Gross gaming revenue |
2,257 |
406 |
– |
– |
2,663 |
2,663 |
|
| Net gaming revenue |
759 |
173 |
2 |
– |
933 |
933 |
|
| Revenue |
761 |
173 |
11 |
– |
944 |
944 |
|
| Cost of sales |
(456) |
(107) |
(1) |
– |
(564) |
(19) |
(583) |
| Marketing and communication expenses |
(62) |
(40) |
(11) |
(14) |
(127) |
(11) |
(138) |
| Contribution margin |
243 |
26 |
(2) |
(14) |
253 |
(30) |
223 |
| General and administration expenses |
(76) |
(76) |
(11) |
(87) |
|||
| EBITDA |
177 |
||||||
| Depreciation and amortisation |
(41) |
||||||
| Recurring operating profit |
136 |
||||||
Consolidated income statement
| In € millions | 30 June 2020 | 30 June 2019 published |
| Stakes |
6,898.4 |
8,420.0 |
| Player payout |
(4,645.5) |
(5,756.9) |
| Gross gaming revenue |
2,252.8 |
2,663.0 |
| Public levies |
(1,429.8) |
(1,692.4) |
| Structural allocations to counterparty funds |
0.0 |
(39.1) |
| Other revenue from sports betting |
6.0 |
1.9 |
| Net gaming revenue |
829.0 |
933.4 |
| Revenue from other activities |
19.7 |
10.5 |
| Revenue |
848.6 |
944.0 |
| Cost of sales |
(481.9) |
(582.9) |
| Marketing and communication expenses |
(147.5) |
(138.1) |
| General and administrative expenses |
(87.0) |
(85.6) |
| Other recurring operating income |
0.5 |
0.4 |
| Other recurring operating expenses |
(9.0) |
(1.8) |
| Recurring operating profit |
123.8 |
135.9 |
| Other non recurring operating income |
0.2 |
0.1 |
| Other non recurring operating expenses |
(30.3) |
(7.3) |
| Operating profit |
93.7 |
128.7 |
| Cost of debt |
(2.1) |
(0.8) |
| Other financial income |
5.7 |
12.2 |
| Other financial expenses |
(8.9) |
(0.5) |
| Net financial income/(expense) |
(5.2) |
10.9 |
| Share of net income for joint ventures |
0.5 |
0.6 |
| Profit before tax |
89.0 |
140.2 |
| Income tax expense |
(38.8) |
(44.4) |
| Net profit for the period |
50.2 |
95.9 |
| Attributable to : | ||
| Owners of the parent |
50.2 |
95.9 |
| Non -controlling interests |
0.0 |
0.0 |
| Basic earnings per share (in €) |
0.26 |
0.50 |
| Diluted earnings per share (in €) |
0.26 |
0.50 |
| In € millions |
30 June 2020 |
30 June 2019 |
June 2020 vs |
30 June 2019 |
June 2020 vs |
| Recurring operating profit |
124 |
136 |
(8.8%) |
165 |
(24.8%) |
| Depreciation and amortisation |
(50) |
(41) |
22.0% |
(43) |
16.3% |
| EBITDA |
174 |
177 |
(1.8%) |
208 |
(16.4%) |
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
| In € millions | 30 June 2020 | 30 June 2019 published |
| Net profit for the period |
50.2 |
95.9 |
| Cash flow hedging, before tax |
0.1 |
0.2 |
| Net investment hedge on foreign activities, before tax |
6.6 |
0.6 |
| Net currency translation difference, before tax |
(2.4) |
0.3 |
| Tax related to items that may subsequently be recycled |
(2.1) |
(0.2) |
| Items recycled or that may subsequently be recycled to profit |
2.2 |
0.9 |
| Actuarial gains and losses |
0.3 |
(3.3) |
| Others |
(0.0) |
(0.0) |
| Tax related to actuarial gains and losses through equity |
(0.1) |
1.0 |
| Items that may not subsequently be recycled to profit |
0.2 |
(2.3) |
| Other comprehensive income/(expense) |
2.4 |
(1.4) |
| Total comprehensive income for the period |
52.7 |
94.5 |
| Attributable to : | ||
| Owners of the parent |
52.7 |
94.5 |
| Non-controlling interests |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Consolidated statement of financial position
| In € millions | ||
| ASSETS | 30 June 2020 | 31 December 2019 published |
| Goodwill |
28.1 |
56.4 |
| Exclusive operating rights |
363.1 |
370.7 |
| Intangible assets |
162.2 |
148.3 |
| Property, plant and equipment |
385.7 |
394.0 |
| Non-current financial assets |
378.1 |
584.3 |
| Investments in associates |
14.9 |
14.5 |
| Non-current assets |
1,332.1 |
1,568.2 |
| Inventories |
16.3 |
10.5 |
| Trade and distribution network receivables |
385.8 |
469.8 |
| Other current assets |
302.0 |
314.8 |
| Tax payable assets |
6.0 |
18.9 |
| Current financial assets |
354.9 |
272.2 |
| Cash and cash equivalents |
475.6 |
201.5 |
| Current assets |
1,540.6 |
1,287.8 |
| TOTAL ASSETS |
2,872.7 |
2,856.0 |
| In € millions | ||
| EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | 30 June 2020 | 31 December 2019 published |
| Share capital |
76.4 |
76.4 |
| Statutory reserves |
91.7 |
87.5 |
| Retained earnings (incl. Net profit for the period) |
366.2 |
406.7 |
| Reserves for other comprehensive income/(expense) |
1.2 |
(1.3) |
| Equity attributable to owners of the parent |
535.4 |
569.2 |
| Non-controlling interests |
0.0 |
0.0 |
| Equity |
535.4 |
569.2 |
| Provisions for pensions and other employee benefits |
56.3 |
56.9 |
| Non-current provisions |
48.1 |
49.3 |
| Deferred tax liabilities |
26.1 |
24.9 |
| Non-current player funds |
0.0 |
0.0 |
| Non-current financial liabilities |
568.6 |
229.7 |
| Non-current liabilities |
699.1 |
360.9 |
| Current provisions |
15.9 |
16.7 |
| trade and distribution network payables |
314.1 |
411.6 |
| Tax payable liabilities |
1.0 |
0.7 |
| Current player funds |
176.4 |
156.6 |
| Public levies |
540.6 |
414.8 |
| Winnings payable and distributable |
244.4 |
189.3 |
| Other current liabilities |
180.6 |
169.6 |
| Payable to the French State with respect to the exclusive operating rights |
0.0 |
380.0 |
| Current financial liabilities |
165.1 |
186.5 |
| Current liabilities |
1,638.2 |
1,925.9 |
| TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES |
2,872.7 |
2,856.0 |
Consolidated statement of cash flows
| In € millions | 30 June 2020 | 30 June 2019 published |
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||
| Net consolidated profit for the period |
50.2 |
95.9 |
| Change in depreciation, amortisation and impairment of non-current assets |
75.9 |
43.1 |
| Change in provisions |
4.1 |
6.1 |
| Disposal gains or losses |
0.2 |
0.1 |
| Income tax expense |
38.8 |
44.4 |
| Other non-cash items from P&L |
(0.2) |
0.0 |
| Net financial (income)/expense |
5.2 |
(10.9) |
| Share of net income from joint ventures |
(0.5) |
(0.6) |
| Non-cash items |
123.5 |
82.2 |
| Use of provisions – payments |
(6.5) |
(4.5) |
| Interest received |
2.5 |
2.3 |
| Income taxes paid |
(25.2) |
(31.9) |
| Change in trade receivables and other current assets |
(19.6) |
124.2 |
| Change in inventories |
(5.7) |
(1.9) |
| Change in trade receivables and other current liabilities |
222.9 |
(56.5) |
| Change in other components of working capital |
(1.6) |
(1.5) |
| Change in operating working capital |
196.0 |
64.3 |
| Net cash flow from/(used in) operating activities |
340.6 |
208.3 |
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||
| Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets |
(423.2) |
(32.4) |
| Acquisitions of investments |
0.0 |
(111.8) |
| Disposals of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets |
0.1 |
0.0 |
| Change in current and non-current financial assets |
145.3 |
(50.1) |
| Disposals of other financial assets |
0.0 |
0.0 |
| Change in loan and advances granted |
(26.9) |
2.8 |
| Dividends received from associates and non-consolidated share |
0.0 |
0.4 |
| Other |
0.5 |
0.0 |
| Net cash flow from/(used in) investing activities |
(304.3) |
(191.0) |
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||
| Issue of long-term debt |
380.0 |
113.3 |
| Repayment of the current portion of long-term debt |
(8.8) |
(4.0) |
| Repayment of lease liabilities |
(4.0) |
(2.9) |
| Dividends paid to ordinary shareholder of the parent company |
(83.4) |
(118.3) |
| Interest paid |
(4.8) |
(0.8) |
| Other |
(0.6) |
0.0 |
| Net cash flow from/(used in) financing activities |
278.5 |
(12.7) |
| Impact of exchange rates change |
(0.4) |
0.9 |
| Net increase/(decrease) in net cash |
314.3 |
5.5 |
| Cash and cash equivalent as at 1 January |
201.5 |
167.2 |
| Cash and cash equivalent as at 31 December |
475.6 |
179.0 |
| Current bank overdrafts as at 1 January |
(40.2) |
(7.2) |
| Current bank overdrafts as at 31 December |
0.0 |
(13.6) |
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
|
In € millions |
Share capital |
Statutory reserves |
Retained earnings (incl. Net profit for the period) |
Cash flow hedging |
Net investment hedge on foreign activities |
Net currency translation difference |
Actuarial gains and losses |
Reserves for other comprehensive income/ |
Equity attributable to owners of the parent |
Non-controlling interests |
Total equity |
|
|
|||||||||||
|
Equity as at 31 December 2018 |
76.4 |
85.3 |
401.1 |
0.2 |
0.0 |
2.1 |
(1.2) |
1.1 |
563.9 |
0.0 |
563.9 |
|
Net profit for the period |
95.9 |
95.9 |
0.0 |
95.9 |
|||||||
|
Other comprehensive income/(expense) |
0.2 |
0.4 |
0.3 |
(2.3) |
(1.4) |
(1.4) |
(1.4) |
||||
|
Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the period |
0.0 |
0.0 |
95.9 |
0.2 |
0.4 |
0.3 |
(2.3) |
(1.4) |
94.5 |
(0.0) |
94.5 |
|
Appropriation of 2018 profit/(loss) |
2.0 |
(2.0) |
|||||||||
|
2018 dividends paid |
(122.0) |
(122.0) |
(122.0) |
||||||||
|
Equity as at 30 June 2019 |
76.4 |
87.4 |
372.8 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
2.4 |
(3.5) |
(0.3) |
536.2 |
(0.0) |
536.2 |
|
|
|||||||||||
|
Equity as at 31 December 2019 |
76.4 |
87.5 |
406.7 |
(0.1) |
(1.4) |
4.1 |
(3.9) |
(1.3) |
569.2 |
0.0 |
569.2 |
|
Net profit for the period |
50.2 |
50.2 |
50.2 |
||||||||
|
Other comprehensive income/(expense) |
0.1 |
4.5 |
(2.4) |
0.2 |
2.5 |
2.5 |
2.5 |
||||
|
Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the period |
0.0 |
0.0 |
50.2 |
0.1 |
4.5 |
(2.4) |
0.2 |
2.5 |
52.7 |
0.0 |
52.7 |
|
Appropriation of 2019 profit/(loss) |
4.2 |
(4.2) |
|||||||||
|
2019 dividends paid |
(86.0) |
(86.0) |
(86.0) |
||||||||
|
Other |
(0.6) |
(0.6) |
(0.6) |
||||||||
|
Equity as at 30 June 2020 |
76.4 |
91.7 |
366.1 |
0.0 |
3.1 |
1.7 |
(3.7) |
1.2 |
535.4 |
0.0 |
535.4 |
Net cash surplus
| In € millions | 30 June 2020 | 31 December 2019 published |
| Non-current financial assets at amortised cost |
160.0 |
440.0 |
| Non-current assets fair value through profit or loss |
131.3 |
90.4 |
| Other non-current financial assets excluding deposits |
32.4 |
29.3 |
| Total non-current investments (a) |
323.7 |
559.8 |
| Current financial assets at amortised cost |
349.0 |
253.0 |
| Current financial assets at fair value through profit or loss |
5.0 |
16.1 |
| Current derivatives |
0.8 |
0.9 |
| Total current investments (b) |
354.8 |
270.0 |
| Total current and non-current investments |
678.5 |
829.8 |
| Investments, cash equivalents |
185.0 |
121.2 |
| Cash at bank and in hand |
290.7 |
80.3 |
| Total cash and cash equivalents |
475.7 |
201.5 |
| Total gross investments and cash |
1,154.2 |
1,031.3 |
| Long-term financial debt |
546.1 |
205.0 |
| Non-current lease liabilities |
22.0 |
24.4 |
| Total non-current financial debt (c) |
568.1 |
229.4 |
| Short-term financial debt |
27.2 |
8.2 |
| Current lease liabilities |
7.2 |
7.0 |
| Current derivatives |
0.2 |
0.7 |
| Other |
130.5 |
170.5 |
| Total current financial debt excluding deposits (d) |
165.1 |
186.4 |
| Total financial debt |
733.2 |
415.8 |
| INVESTMENTS AND NET CASH |
421.0 |
615.5 |
| Payable to the French State with respect to the exclusive operating rights |
0.0 |
(380.0) |
| Reclassification of online players wallets not yet covered by trust |
0.0 |
(26.9) |
| Restricted cash |
(4.5) |
(5.3) |
| Sums allocated exclusively to Euromillions winners |
(72.6) |
(77.2) |
| Net liability associated with the permanent fund surplus |
(46.1) |
(46.1) |
| NET CASH SURPLUS |
297.8 |
79.9 |
(a) Non-current investments correspond to non-current financial assets (as set out in the notes to the consolidated financial statements – statement of financial position), excluding Euromillions deposits and guarantee deposits
(b) Current investments correspond to current financial assets (as set out in the notes to the consolidated financial statements – statement of financial position), excluding given deposits and guarantees
(c) Long-term financial debt corresponds to non-current financial liabilities (as set out in the notes to the consolidated financial statements – statement of financial position), excluding received deposits and guarantees
(d) Short-term financial debt corresponds to non-current financial liabilities (as set out in the notes consolidated financial statements – statement of financial position)
———————————————
1 Restated to reflect the new tax regime that came into force on 1 January 2020 and consolidating Sporting Group on a full-year basis. Based on 2019 reported figures, half-year revenue would have been down 10%.
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Campus Gambling
College Partnerships Under Scrutiny: The Future of Campus Gambling Deals – Compliance, Alternatives, PR Risk
The era of splashy sportsbook logos wrapped around student sections is fading fast, and for good reason. What looked like an easy revenue win after the expansion of legal sports betting now sits at the intersection of compliance complexities, reputational hazards, and evolving cultural expectations about how gambling interacts with college life. Universities are recalibrating their risk tolerance, athletic departments are revisiting sponsorship inventories, and operators are rethinking whether campus-facing marketing is worth the blowback. At Gambling Freedom Casino and News Portal, we’ve seen the conversation shift from “How big can this get?” to “How do we do this responsibly,or not at all?” The answer is not a simple yes or no; it’s a recognition that the future of campus gambling deals will be smaller, more carefully segmented, and anchored in integrity and harm minimization. That future rewards institutions and brands that can communicate clearly, document compliance rigorously, and operate with a “help-first, hype-later” mindset.
From a compliance standpoint, the baseline in 2025 is tighter than many casual observers realize. Industry marketing standards increasingly discourage promotions that could be perceived as targeting students, and the phraseology once common in acquisition campaigns is now off-limits or strongly discouraged. In parallel, more state regulators are scrutinizing college markets, especially player-specific proposition bets, on the grounds that they heighten the risk of harassment and integrity issues. The NCAA has spent the last few seasons pushing for stronger athlete protections and a more consistent compliance posture across jurisdictions. Put all of that together and the practical effect is clear: even if a category is technically legal in one state, the patchwork of rules, guidance, and best practices makes campus-facing deals a compliance headache and a reputational gamble. The safest route is to build partnerships that avoid student channels, exclude conversion-driven creative around college events, and lean into education, integrity, and alumni engagement where age gating and segmentation are both meaningful and auditable.
Reputational risk is the other half of the equation and it’s often underestimated until it isn’t. The optics of a sportsbook brand appearing inside a campus venue or in an email blast that lands in student inboxes can overshadow months of careful planning. In the digital age, a single misguided subject line or banner placement can live forever in screenshots, resurfacing whenever a university confronts unrelated controversies. For athletic departments, the blowback doesn’t just come from national media; local stakeholders, faculty governance, and alumni donors have strong opinions about how a school’s brand is used. The narrative can turn quickly: what a marketing team frames as “supporting athletics” can be framed by critics as “monetizing student attention with gambling.” Add the human dimension—students and athletes facing social media pressure tied to bets and the reputational calculus tilts further away from broad-based campus advertising. Once a school becomes the example cited in op-eds and parent forums, every future sponsorship meeting starts on defense, which is a tremendous tax on leadership attention and goodwill.
So where does that leave universities and sportsbooks that still want to collaborate responsibly? The first lane is alumni-only engagement that lives firmly outside student media. Think association newsletters sent to verified recipients, event activations tied to homecoming for over-21 alumni, and gated digital experiences where age verification and alumni status are both required. The operative phrase is segmentation with proof: CRM hygiene that suppresses any .edu domains associated with enrolled students, third-party age checks that withstand audit, and creative that emphasizes responsible play rather than acquisition gimmicks. It is equally important to leave campus-owned assets out of the plan entirely: no student newspaper, no student radio, no in-venue signage within sightlines dominated by under-21 attendees, and no .edu pages. Success here is measured by quiet compliance, not splashy vanity metrics. Campaign briefs should spell out what will not be done (no first-bet language, no odds boosts tied to school IP, no promo codes keyed to team names), and media buys should be geofenced and frequency-capped to avoid spillover impressions.
The second lane is integrity and data cooperation, which is fundamentally different from marketing. Rather than converting users, these partnerships focus on protecting competitions and people. Universities and operators can align around standardized reporting protocols for suspicious activity, training modules for staff and athletes that explain wagering rules and red flags, and secure data exchanges that support real-time anomaly detection. When structured correctly, integrity agreements do not place sportsbook logos on campus; they establish clear lines of responsibility, define escalation paths if something looks off, and include audit rights to ensure both sides are living up to the agreement. Forward-thinking athletic departments are building dashboards that track integrity KRIs (key risk indicators) across seasons, and operators are assigning compliance liaisons who can respond quickly to questions about markets, limits, and emerging risks. A valuable signal of sincerity is a proactive stance on contentious markets: choosing not to market college player props or removing them from any alumni-facing creative, sends a message that athlete wellbeing matters more than marginal handle.
A third lane is responsible-gambling (RG) education and independent research, an area where universities can lead with credibility if the funding and governance are set up correctly. The rule of thumb is “help, not hype.” Programming should elevate helplines and support resources, teach students and staff how to recognize early warning signs, and outline practical steps for friends or teammates who are worried about someone’s gambling. Workshops can be built for specific audiences, athletes, coaches, RAs, student leaders – with content tailored to situations they’ll likely encounter, like managing group chats during big games or dealing with harassment tied to a missed free throw. If an operator helps fund this work, the branding should be deliberately muted and the calls to action should point to counseling resources, not betting apps. On the research side, schools can host longitudinal studies on gambling behaviors and mental health that inform policy decisions across states. The key is independence: academic freedom, publication rights, and data privacy are non-negotiable. When these programs release annual reports with outcomes numbers trained, referrals made, satisfaction and knowledge retention scores, they earn trust with regulators and the public.
Embedding all of the above in real governance requires contracts and processes that are as rigorous as anything in broadcast rights or apparel. Agreements should explicitly exclude student-facing channels and campus IP in promotional contexts, require preclearance of all creative, and mandate third-party age and identity checks for any alumni lists used in marketing. Internal workflows matter just as much: establish a cross-functional signoff path that includes compliance, legal, athletics communications, the alumni office, and student affairs; maintain a living registry of all placements; and document every exception request and rejection. A quarterly audit, conducted by an independent partner, should test suppression lists, confirm geo and age parameters, and sample creatives for prohibited phrasing. Crisis preparedness is part of the job: have templates ready for misdirected emails, rogue social posts, and policy changes that force offer adjustments mid-season. Run tabletop exercises with leaders so everyone knows who approves the statement, who pauses the media, who contacts the vendor, and who answers reporter questions. The smoothest crises are the ones that never become public because the response is instant and well-rehearsed.
Looking ahead, the most realistic forecast is a smaller, safer lane for college–operator collaboration. Expect states and conferences to continue refining rules around bet types and advertising, particularly where athlete wellbeing and harassment are implicated. Expect universities to sunset remaining campus-facing placements in favor of alumni-only channels that leave a clean paper trail, lowering both compliance risk and noise around brand stewardship. Expect the integrity conversation to mature, with more standardized data formats, quicker reciprocity on investigations, and better education for the non-athlete campus community, resident advisors, counseling centers, and compliance staff who are often the first to notice when something is off. And expect that schools which articulate a clear philosophy- “We protect students, we protect athletes, we promote help-seeking, and we partner only where age-gated, auditable outcomes exist”, will spend less time in reactive posture and more time telling a positive story about values.
For operators, the business case is quiet credibility. Instead of chasing a fleeting burst of signups tied to a rivalry game, smart brands will invest in long-term reputation: integrity agreements that make competitions safer, alumni engagements that demonstrate real respect for age limits and context, and RG programs that exist to serve the community rather than acquire customers. That approach doesn’t just avoid headlines, it earns allies. Alumni who see careful, adult-only engagement are less likely to bristle at a brand’s presence. Regulators who see documented controls and public reporting are less likely to question motives. University leaders who see proof of restraint are more open to renewing low-risk collaborations. In other words, the playbook that Gambling Freedom recommends is not “do nothing,” but “do the right things, in the right places, for the right reasons.”
The final takeaway is simple: campus gambling deals are no longer a volume game; they are a values game. If your plan cannot be explained in a sentence that starts with student safety, athlete wellbeing, and competition integrity, it’s probably the wrong plan. If your KPIs are built around alumni engagement quality, RG outcomes, and zero incidents—not just clicks and codes, you’re on the right track. And if your processes assume that everything might one day be scrutinized by parents, faculty, alumni, and policymakers, you will build the sort of resilient partnership that can survive news cycles and leadership changes. Gambling Freedom exists to help universities and sportsbooks navigate precisely this terrain, compliance-conscious, PR-smart, and responsibility-first – so that whoever partners on college sports can do so with confidence, clarity, and respect for the communities they serve.
The post College Partnerships Under Scrutiny: The Future of Campus Gambling Deals – Compliance, Alternatives, PR Risk appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The leading slot game provider, Endorphina, continues to make waves in the iGaming industry, announcing its presence at the highly anticipated SBC Lisbon with a big splash. From September 16-18, Endorphina’s stand, number B590, will bring the ultimate beach escape at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa & Meo Arena.
To further tease its presence at the upcoming beach-themed booth at SBC Summit Lisbon, Endorphina created a campaign inspired by the popular TV show Baywatch. The company organized a special photoshoot with its employees dressed as lifeguards patrolling the beaches of Lisbon. In addition, Endorphina designed special posters that play with the aesthetics of 80s and 90s posters and VHS tapes.
This announcement from Endorphina immediately captured the attention of the iGaming world, with the posts receiving 5x more engagement than usual on LinkedIn. The photoshoot featured employees from various departments, including Kirill Miroshnichenko, CCO; Irina Veselkova, Marketing Strategy Coordinator; Dejan Vranjanin, Head of Account Development; Mihail Cojocaru, Team Lead Client Success Management; Marie Eliseeva, Account Manager; and Svetlana MD Masud, Partnership Manager.
This campaign teases Endorphina’s booth at SBC Summit Lisbon, which will be themed to bring the ultimate beach paradise straight to Portugal. The company promises unique activities and a memorable experience for visitors, inviting them to visit booth B590, meet the Endorphina team, and immerse themselves in the beach-themed atmosphere.
The post Endorphina Goes Viral With Baywatch-inspired SBC Lisbon Posters appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP. ACTIVATED: Oleksandr Usyk Joins GR8 Tech at SBC Summit 2025
The wait is over: the Heavyweight Champ is Activated. On September 17, GR8 Tech brings Oleksandr Usyk, undisputed heavyweight champion and co-founder of Ready to Fight, to the stage at SBC Summit 2025 for a full day of heavyweight action.
From the Super Stage to the Stand
The day begins on the Super Stage at 11:45 with The Heavyweight Playbook: Building Businesses That Perform When It Matters Most. Usyk joins forces with Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech, and Kyrylo Korobka, Executive Director at Ready to Fight, to explore how discipline, resilience, and execution power success in the ring and the boardroom.
But the action doesn’t end there. A striking walk show with Usyk at the center takes the spotlight across the exhibition floor—to GR8 Tech’s booth C350.
Heavyweight Activation at Booth C350
At the stand, the Heavyweight Champ. Activated. program unfolds:
- Live challenge with iGaming’s top executives: industry heavyweights stepping into the spotlight alongside Usyk to test their strength and mindset in front of the crowd. (Names to be revealed live, so don’t miss the surprise.)
- Exclusive opportunity to win signed gloves from Oleksandr Usyk—a collector’s prize for those who show up when it matters.
Back to the Core: Heavyweight Solutions That Deliver
While the champ brings the spotlight, GR8 Tech delivers the results. Live demos across our high-performance stack showcase what it means to operate at the heavyweight standard:
- Hyper Turnkey: end-to-end iGaming precision, no-code frontend, AI CRM, and geo-specific presets for instant market entry.
- ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame: customizable, fast-to-market, and margin-tight with AI features.
- Infinite Providers Aggregation: single-API access, advanced promo tools, and deep analytics for smarter monetization.
Book a meeting with GR8 Tech at Booth C350 during SBC Summit 2025, September 16–18, join the Heavyweight Club and be a part of the exclusive community that sets the bar for all the industry to match.
GR8 Tech. Platform for Champions
GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider, delivering high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions that empower operators to lead and win in competitive markets. Key elements of GR8 Tech’s comprehensive portfolio include the Hyper Turnkey solution, ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame, Infinite Providers Aggregation, and Platform Acceler8 suite, featuring its proprietary affiliate management platform, Aff.Tech.
With a geo-specific approach to solutions, a focus on practical innovations, and an operator-first mindset, GR8 Tech helps its clients achieve measurable results in their target markets quickly and efficiently. Trusted by top operators worldwide, GR8 Tech has over 100 successful cases and earned multiple recognitions, including the title of the Best Sports Betting Provider in CEE by GamingTECH Awards 2025.
The post HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP. ACTIVATED: Oleksandr Usyk Joins GR8 Tech at SBC Summit 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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