French national lottery operator Française des Jeux (FDJ) has made a €1.26m donation to mark this year’s European Heritage Days.

Late last month, FDJ embarked on its fifth “Mission Patrimoine,” a scheme to raise money for protecting and restoring heritage sites.

Now, in the same vein, FDJ and French heritage foundation Fondation du Patrimoine have joined forces to help restore a piece of Parisian history.

The YMCA Paris, located at 14 Rue de Trévise, was inaugurated in 1893 and houses the world’s oldest basketball court.

In a bid to maintain this site, a registered historical monument “weakened by time,” FDJ and Fondation du Patrimoine have awarded the YMCA €1.26m.

“Contributing to the renovation of the YMCA site, weakened by time, and bringing it back to life is a source of great pride for FDJ, our Corporate Foundation and employees,” FDJ Chairman and CEO Stéphane Pallez said.

“The YMCA project allows us to combine our various societal commitments in the areas of heritage, sport and youth,” she added.

In August, FDJ launched the latest incarnation of its Mission Patrimoine. This involved a scratch card campaign and several Loto draws to raise money for Fondation du Patrimoine.

Célia Vérot, General Manager of Fondation du Patrimoine, said: “The YMCA Paris site proves that beyond its cultural or architectural interest, heritage can play a very useful social role.

“With the support of FDJ and the FDJ Foundation, Fondation du Patrimoine promotes the financing of heritage projects with an impact in terms of inclusion and integration.”

Stockholm-listed Gaming Corps has appointed Victoria Bonner as its chief marketing officer and confirmed the departure of chief communications officer Erika Mattsson.

Mattson is leaving the Malta-licensed supplier at the end of this month after nearly four years in the role, with Gaming Corps chairman Claes Tellman temporarily taking on responsibility for communications and investor relations until a replacement has been appointed.

New CMO Bonner boasts extensive industry experience, having held marketing roles at leading gaming suppliers including Relax Gaming and Pragmatic Play.

Gaming Corps CEO Juha Kauppinen said: “I would like to wish Erika the best of luck in her new role and at the same time take this opportunity to thank her on behalf of everyone in the leadership at Gaming Corps for these years. I also want to welcome Gaming Corps’ new chief marketing officer Victoria Bonner who I am confident will to bring the knowledge, network and commitment to the industry, which is necessary for the further expansion and marketing of Gaming Corp’s next generation casino slots and other games.”

Commenting on her appointment, Bonner said: “Gaming Corps is at an exciting point in its journey where organic positioning has translated into an impressive commercial pipeline.

“The products and strategy of the company’s branded offering are exactly what the industry is asking for right now, and with a new, greater focus on marketing, I am very happy and excited to join a company that is right on the threshold of becoming a prominent name in the industry. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Erika for her work and the incredible foundation she laid.”

Mattsson added: “Warm thanks to everyone I have had the privilege of working with during these almost four years, above all thank you to my friends in the management. I am also very pleased to have recently welcomed Victoria and that the company has reached the point where a wholehearted investment in marketing is possible.

“I have great confidence in Victoria as well as in Gaming Corps facing a bright future and looking forward to closely following the continued journey as a friend and shareholder.”

International Game Technology PLC announced that its wholly owned subsidiary IGT Lottery S.p.A. has completed the sale of its Italian proximity payment business to PostePay S.p.A. – Patrimonio Destinato IMEL for €700 million.

The negotiated sale price represented an enterprise value of €630 million and approximately €70 million of net unrestricted cash. The business held approximately €140 million in unrestricted cash at the closing. The increase in unrestricted cash is primarily attributable to timing of vendor payments and operating cash flows generated since December 31, 2021. IGT will use the proceeds from the transaction primarily to pay transaction expenses and reduce debt.

UBS AG acted as lead financial advisor and fairness opinion provider to IGT, UniCredit S.p.A. acted as financial advisor to IGT. Advant-Nctm acted as legal advisor to IGT and KPMG acted as financial due diligence and tax advisor to IGT.