Privatisation of FDJ to Begin in November

Bruno Le Maire, France’s finance minister, has revealed that the subscription period for Française des Jeux’s (FDJ) initial public offering (IPO) will run from November 7–20. The privatisation of FDJ, the leading operator in Europe, in being anticipated as one of the year’s main highlights.

Bruno Le Maire said that French people and investors will have the chance to subscribe to FDJ shares between November 7 and November 20. He added that the state will not fix a limit for the offering, and that retail investors will get one free share for every 10 shares purchased and a 2% discount on the offer price.

The French state currently holds 72% of FDJ, but after the privatisation, it will only have 20% of the company. Government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye said that the ordinance ends the FDJ monopoly to replace it with a limited-term right, set at 25 years and renewable.

“I hope that this privatisation popularly succeeds with the widest participation possible,” Le Maire said. The minister added that the privatisation will allow the company to develop and reach its full potential.

As part of the privatisation, the French government unveiled the creation of the L’autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ), which will replace L’autorité nationale de régulation des jeux en ligne (ARJEL).