Industry News
La Française des Jeux (FDJ) Announces its 2020 Results

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.
Industry News
Better Collective Releases its Annual Report for 2022

Better Collective has released its annual report for the 2022 financial year.
In the report, the company reported total revenue growth of 52%, amounting to €269m ($292m), with organic growth totalling 34%. Recurring revenue accounted for 46% of total revenue and grew 54% to a total of €123m.
On 23 March 2022, Better Collective also acquired the full assets of the media company, Canada Sports Betting, for €21m. The company also acquired Futbin on 19 April for €105m and aims to make further partnerships through this brand in the esports scene.
Better Collective reported sending 1.7 million new depositing customers to its partners in 2022, of which 76% of these were on revenue share contracts. Out of these, 580,000 were sent during Q4, and just under 300,000 were during the World Cup.
The report also stated that the $100m target of revenue for Action Network was reached in US markets. The financial targets for 2023 include total revenue of €300m, with an EBITDA of €100m.
The company also announced its long-term financial targets, up to 2027. These include a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20% and an EBITDA margin excluding special items of 30-40%. The final long-term goal of Better Collective is to ensure any future mergers and acquisitions can be financed by their own cash flow.
Better Collective began 2023 with just under 40% reported growth, due to the launch of online sports betting in Ohio.
Two partnerships were also announced in early 2023, with sports media sites Goal and Wirtualna Polska.
Industry News
How does WinSpirit Casino use AI tools to enhance gamblers’ experience

The gambling market does not stand still. As you know, there has been a boom in artificial intelligence technology, and gambling market companies are already starting to test it: in process automation, marketing, and customer communication.
Players are becoming increasingly demanding, and our common task as joy providers is to satisfy users by constantly improving the quality of the service. And this is where AI tools come in handy.
Here are 3 cases of how casinos, including WinSpirit Casino, utilize AIs.
#1 Ideas generation. There are several units in casino teams, just like in any other company. And each of them uses the AI in their own way. For example, the PR department uses ChatGPT to generate content strategy and potential distribution channels for publications. By the way, this text is also partly written by ChatGPT. CC uses AI tools to improve communication with clients: operators use AI to analyze a player’s dialect and give them a relevant answer — as clear and familiar as possible. Further, the promotional department generates ideas for new promo campaigns and their promotion online in such a highly competitive market.
#2 Visual creation. We all perceive 90% of information with our eyes. And the first thing the client sees when entering the website is a visual component. That’s why casinos try to get stunning images that will capture players’ attention. WinSpirit Casino’s designers also use renowned Midjourney to create individualized visuals for its website and marketing materials faster than ever before. Nowadays, personification is king. By the way, graphics for this text was also been generated by Midjourney.
#3 Freedom for growing. How free are the employees in your company? Sometimes not so much, right? In the gambling vertical, innovation and freshness of vision are very important. That’s why at WinSpirit Casino, the task is of paramount importance — and the way in which the employee completes it is up to them. C-Level, on the other hand, simply provides access to these tools. For example, to Futurepedia, a suite of AI tools that allows for completing tasks more accurately and efficiently. Furthermore, such tools help get a fresh view of the everyday routine and offer players a customer-focused experience.
In today’s world, you can’t ignore new technology. After all, they allow a company to become better for its customers. For instance, modern AI tools can analyze the players’ behavior and identify the preconditions for gambling addiction. Not to mention that modern technology attracts a young audience that the business needs for further development.
Industry News
Changes in Management Positions for Scout Gaming Group

The Board of Directors of the Scout Gaming Group has appointed current acting CEO Niklas Jönsson as the company’s new CEO.
The Board of Directors has also decided to appoint Andreas Olsen, the current Head of Finance in Norway, as the Group CFO, with immediate effect.
Andreas Olsen joined Scout Gaming Group in July 2022 and has several years of experience in accounting and auditing. Andreas has four years of experience in auditing, with both listed and private companies, primarily at EY in Bergen where he also became a certified public auditor. Andreas holds a Master of Science degree in Accounting and Auditing as well as in Financial Economics, both from the University of Agder in Norway.
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