Increases in gaming taxes of €24m had a negative impact on revenue
In the first quarter of 2026, FDJ United’s GGR rose by one per cent to €2,175m, but increases in gaming taxes of €24m had a negative impact on revenue, which decreased by three per cent to €895m.
The momentum seen at the start of the year has been affected in recent weeks by high levels of winnings from sports betting, which have not been reflected in business volumes, and by less attractive draw events.
For the French lottery and retail sports betting BU, GGR was stable at €1,740m, and revenue totalled €627m, down two per cent after the impact of a €15m increase in taxes.
Lottery GGR came to €1,517m, down 0.4 per cent. After taking into account tax increases of €13 million, revenue reached €519m, down 1.8 per cent. These changes are mainly due to a high comparison base for draw games, while instant games remained dynamic:
In draw games, GGR fell by 3.5 per cent and revenue by 6.2 per cent to €199m. These changes reflect the absence of a long cycle for the Super Loto draws on Fridays 13 February and 13 March, which were won in the very first draw. Over the quarter, Loto had just three long cycles, compared with 16 in Q1 2025.
There was also a very high comparison base for Euromillions, whose jackpot reached the record level of €250m for the first time at the end of March 2025. This event, which attracted new players, particularly online, had generated substantial additional stakes.
In instant games, GGR was up by 3.4 per cent and revenue by 1.1 per cent coming in at at €320m, matching the record for the fourth quarter of 2025. Activity was notably supported by the launches of Chiffre d’Or (€5) in January and La Cible (€3) in February. On the digital front, the range of games offered exclusively online was also dynamic. Growth of more than 40 per cent in stakes for this range was notably linked to the success of new games, including L’héritage de Merlin, launched in January, and Bubblecaster, launched at the end of 2025.
The digital lottery has seen a rise in activity, driven by an increase in its player base to over 6 million. Revenue stands at €81m, up 1.4 per cent, representing 15.5 per cent of total lottery revenue.
Point-of-sale sports betting GGR came to €223m, down 1.8 per cent. This change reflects both less attractive sporting events and a high level of player payout ratio.
For the online betting and gaming, GGR came to €342m down one per cent and revenue to €213m, down eight per cent following the impact of a €9m increase in taxes.
Stéphane Pallez, Chairwoman and CEO of FDJ UNITED, said: “In an environment still affected by the impact of tax increases and tighter regulations on gaming, the Group is stepping up its efforts in operational efficiency, synergies, and financial discipline, with the aim of returning to sustainable, value-creating growth from the second half of the year onwards, for the benefit of all its stakeholders.”
The operator has also announced the appointment of Dan Lévy as Chief Financial Officer starting 18 May 2026.
Mr Lévy will take over this role from Pascal Chaffard, who has been appointed Chief Online Betting and Gaming Officer as well as Group Strategy and Operational Transformation Officer at FDJ UNITED.
Stéphane Pallez, Chairwoman and CEO of FDJ UNITED, commented: “We are very pleased to welcome Dan Lévy as Chief Financial Officer at FDJ UNITED.With his solid financial background and international experience, Dan will be responsible for helping the Group continue its transformation and implement its Play Forward 2028 strategic plan, announced in June 2025.”
Mr Lévy previously served as Chief Financial Officer of the Ipsos group. He spent the early part of his career at the French Ministry for the Economy and Finance, within the Directorate General of the Treasury and then the Directorate of the Budget. From 2005 to 2007, Mr Lévy was seconded to the UK Treasury as an economist. He joined Société Générale in 2010, first at the General Inspectorate and then as a senior banker, before leading a business center for major companies. He was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Ipsos group in 2022.
The post With taxes rising, FDJ United to work on operational efficiency, synergies, and financial discipline appeared first on G3 Newswire.
Increases in gaming taxes of €24m had a negative impact on revenue In the first quarter of 2026, FDJ United’s GGR rose by one per cent to €2,175m, but increases in gaming taxes of €24m had a negative impact on revenue, which decreased by three per cent to €895m. The momentum seen at the start…
The post With taxes rising, FDJ United to work on operational efficiency, synergies, and financial discipline appeared first on G3 Newswire.