FDJ Group

History

FDJ UNITED traces its roots to 1933 when the French government created the National Lottery to support wounded World War I veterans. The modern corporate entity began in 1976 with the launch of the LOTO numbers game. The state-owned Société de la Loterie Nationale et du Loto National (SLNLN) was formed in 1979. The company was privatized in 2019 via an IPO on Euronext Paris, with the French state retaining a significant minority stake. Under Chairwoman and CEO Stéphane Pallez, appointed in 2014, FDJ pursued aggressive diversification beyond its domestic lottery monopoly.

Business Model

FDJ UNITED operates through two main divisions: Lottery & Retail, which includes physical point-of-sale lottery, instant scratch games, and the Parions Sport retail network; and Online Betting & Gaming, comprising digital brands such as Parions Sport online, Unibet, and 32Red. The company also provides B2B technology services through FDJ Gaming Solutions, offering interactive factory, retail lottery transformation, and sports betting technology to other lotteries worldwide. Revenue reached €3.7 billion in 2025, with net financial debt of €1.72 billion.

Products and Brands

Key brands include LOTO (France's iconic numbers game launched in 1976), Euromillions (pan-European jackpot lottery), Parions Sport (sports betting in retail and online), Unibet (global online betting and casino), 32Red (online casino and sportsbook), and FDJ Gaming Solutions (B2B technology). The company also operates FDJ UNITED Ventures for open innovation and the Safe Play responsible gaming program.

Market Position and Acquisitions

The landmark acquisition of Kindred Group for €2.5 billion, completed in October 2024, transformed FDJ into a pan-European online betting and gaming powerhouse. The combined entity rebranded as FDJ UNITED in spring 2025. FDJ UNITED is the largest lottery operator in France and a top-tier online betting group in Europe, facing regulatory challenges across its markets but maintaining a strong competitive position.

Leadership

Stéphane Pallez serves as Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer, a role she has held since 2014 (Chairwoman since 2019). Charles Lantieri is Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the FDJ Foundation. In February 2026, Pascal Chaffard was appointed Chief Online Betting and Gaming Officer, moving from his previous role as CFO. Dan Lévy will join as Chief Financial Officer on May 18, 2026.

Recent Developments

Recent strategic moves include a partnership with Plug and Play for open innovation, an investment in AI company H alongside Bernard Arnault and Eric Schmidt, and an Executive Committee reshuffle in February 2026 that saw Pascal Chaffard take over online betting and gaming from Nils Andén. The company continues to invest in responsible gaming and technology innovation.