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La Française des Jeux
Address: 126 rue Galliéni
Postal/Postboks Address: 92643 Boulogne-Billancourt Cédex
Internet: http://www.fdjeux.com
E-mail Address: j.robert@lfdj.com
Phone: 33 (1) 41 10 35 35
Fax: 33 (1) 41 10 37 45
Population: 62.9 million
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer M. Christophe Blanchard-Dignac
Year Lottery Founded: 1933
Sales FY 2004:
Sales FY 2005:
Sales FY 2006:
EUR 8.6 bn
EUR 8.9 bn
EUR 9.5 bn
Number of Employees: 889 people at three locations
On-line Vendor: GTech
Internet Gaming System: N/A
Instant Ticket Vendor: Scientific Games
Pollard Banknote
Oberthur Gaming Technologies
ITVMs: N/A
Games Offered: Loto, Euro Millions, Super Loto, Keno, Joker+, Rapido, Loto Foot 7 &15, Cote & Match, Instant games, Internet games
Beneficiaries: La Française des Jeux is a semi-public company, in which the French State has a 72% stake. The rest of the capital is owned by lottery issuers (20%), agents (3%) and company employees (5%).
Jurisdiction: France

Background Information

La Française des Jeux is the official organizer and operator of lottery games in France.
La Française des Jeux is a semi-public company, in which the French State has a 72% stake. The rest of the capital is owned by lottery issuers (20%), agents (3%) and company employees (5%).
The State authorizes the games, sets the amount of duty, tax and VAT payments to be levied and approves the company's budget and accounts.
Each game is governed by regulations that are published in the Journal Officiel, the French official gazette. Conditions of play, drawing organization and schedule, playslip definitions and instructions for use, prize tiers, etc., are all specified in the gazette.

News 2009

FDJ Launches New Brands For Sports Betting
ParionsSport, the new brand for POS sports betting and ParionsWeb, the new brand for online sports betting
PARIS, France (November 18, 2009) -- La Française des Jeux’s POS sports betting are now offered under a unique brand “ParionsSport,” while the company’s online sports betting have been gathered under the brand “ParionsWeb” instead of the previous 3 brands “Cote & Match” - “Cote & Score” and “Loto Foot 7 & 15.” .................Subscribers

La Francaise des Jeux and Disability
PARIS, France (November 13, 2009) -- La Française des Jeux is embarking on a sustainable development policy designed to meet the expectations of society, which looks to companies to reconcile social and environmental progress with economic development and community action....................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches the Brand FDJ
PARIS, France (November 13, 2009) -- On 28 October 2009, La Française des Jeux created a new commercial brand: FDJ and unveiled its new logo symbolising the company’s commitment to recreational gaming and to player services.......................Subscribers

The French Games Gets A Makeover Shortens Its Name And Changes Its Logo
PARIS, France (October 28, 2009) - The French des Jeux (FDJ) has decided to shorten its name to "JDF" and change its logo, a visible change gradually by its 29 million players in its 37,600 sales from the month of November......................Subscribers

Christophe Blanchard-Dignac Reappointed as CEO of La Française des Jeux, FDJ Gets A Makeover, Shortens Its Name and Changes Its Logo
PARIS, France (October 28, 2009) - President and CEO of the French des Jeux (FDJ), Christophe Blanchard-Dignac, was reappointed by a decree of the President of the Republic..................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Chooses Sagem Sécurité New-Generation Terminals to Expand and Modernize Local Network
PARIS, France (September 18, 2009) -- Christophe Blanchard-Dignac, Chairman and CEO of La Française des Jeux (the French lottery operator), and Jean-Paul Jainsky, Chairman and CEO of Sagem Sécurité (Safran group), today signed a framework contract concerning the potential supply of more than 40,000 new-generation secure gaming terminals.........................Subscribers

France Plans Special Lottery For Africa To Supplement Development Aid
LONDON, UK (August 7, 2009) -- News Service reports that the French Government is considering introducing a special lottery for Africa to supplement development aid..................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Awarded European Lotteries Responsible Gaming Standards Certification
BOULOGNE, France (June 29, 2009) -- La Française des Jeux has just received Responsible Gaming Standards certification by the European Lotteries Association, an umbrella organisation for 72 European lottery operators. The accreditation was awarded following an audit by the French standards body AFNOR. La Française des Jeux is one of the first lottery operators1 to obtain this certification of compliance with the responsible gaming highest standards.......................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches Holidays for Life Instant Game
PARIS, France (July 2, 2009) -- La Française des Jeux has released a new instant game for the summer holiday season called “Vacances à Vie” (Holidays for Life), available from 2 July 2009...................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Signs An Agreement With The Ministry Of Justice To Participate In The National AMBER Alert Program
FRANCE (July 1, 2009) -- On 22 June 2009, Christophe Blanchard-Dignac, Chairman and CEO of La Française des Jeux (FDJ) signed with the Minister of Justice an agreement whereby La Française des Jeux will participate to the child abduction alert system (AMBER Alert).......................Subscribers

CyberArts Inks Deal with Lottery Giant Francaise des Jeux for French Poker
SAN FRANCISCO, California (May 16, 2009) -- Chairman Ken Arnold announced this week that online gaming platform provider CyberArts has signed a deal with French lottery operator Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) to provide FDJ's online poker offering......................Subscribers

Francaise des Jeux Online Gaming Launch Imminent
PARIS, France (May 13, 2009) -- French gaming monopoly operator Francaise des Jeux is expected to go live with its online gaming offering this summer in play-money form, as it seeks to build an online customer base prior to the opening of the market next year........................Subscribers

Online Gaming Software Provider CyberArts, La Française des Jeux Sign Poker Deal
ATHENS, Greece (May 11, 2009) -- CyberArts Ltd., the online gaming software provider, has signed a deal to provide online poker to La Française des Jeux, or FDJ, the French national lottery operator................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches a New €1 Scratch Game
PARIS, France (May 7, 2009) -- On May 7, La Française des Jeux launched ‘Ange ou Démon ?’ (Angel or Devil?), a new instant game priced at €1.........................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches a New €5 Scratch Game
PARIS, France (April 18, 2009) -- On April 9, La Française des Jeux launched ‘Cash 500 000 €’, a new instant game offering the most important prize of the range - €500,000 - that can be win immediately..............Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches OXO, A New Draw Based Tic-Tac-Toe Game
FRANCE (March 19, 2009) -- On March 16, La Française des Jeux launched OXO, an exciting new tic-tac-toe style game, fun and easy to play. OXO provides daily draws and gives players a chance to win rolling jackpots which start at €500,000 and grow until someone wins as well as an additional chance to win up to €500,000 instantly.................Subscribers

France Announce Gambling Tax Rates
PARIS, France (March 6, 2009) -- French government budget minister Eric Woerth has this week announced the tax rates which will be levied on the gambling industry...................Subscribers

French Gambling Plan Seeks To Stem Illegal Betting
PARIS, France March 5, 2009) – France will open its gambling market to competition and begin to grant online betting licenses in 2010 as it seeks to stem illegal gambling and safeguard the billions of euros in tax revenue provided by the industry each year, the country's budget minister said Thursday..................Subscribers

Loto, France's Number One Game
BOULOGNE, France (February 2, 2009) -- On February 2, 2009 Christophe Blanchard-Dignac, Chairman and CEO of La Française des Jeux, presented in Paris the company's 2008 activity results and projects for 2009...................Subscribers

Fairlight's CC-1 Platform Proves a Winner for Française des Jeux, the French National Lottery
PARIS, France (February 3, 2009) -- Fairlight's ground-breaking Crystal Core (CC-1) technology is proving to be a winner for Française des Jeux, the French national lottery organisation that also handles the Euro Millions lottery...................Subscribers

News 2008

La Française des Jeux Launches Christmas for Life Instant Game
FRANCE (November 26, 2008) -- La Française des Jeux has released a new special event instant game for the festive season called “Noël à Vie” (Christmas for Life) available from...............Subscribers

Lottery Thwarts Attempt to Defraud Lotto Player of £28 Million
PARIS, France (November 19, 2008) -- According to a UK media report after a Paris shopkeeper scanned a Lotto player’s ticket he was told him he hadn’t won. But...............Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches a Poker Scratch Game
PARIS, France (November 14, 2008) -- La Française des Jeux capitalizes on the Poker phenomenon – the card based-game has increased in popularity in the past few years – to launch “Le jeu à gratter POKER” (The POKER scratch game)..............Subscribers

La Française des Jeux and the Red Cross Relaunch the Charitable Event "Tous en Fête"
FRANCE (November 13, 2008) -- After a successful start in 2007, La Française des Jeux, the French national lottery, in cooperation with the French Red Cross association are relaunching for the second year “Tous en Fête”, a national charitable festive event.....................Subscribers

Sagem Securite Delivers 26,400 New Terminals to La Française des Jeux
PARIS, France (October 21, 2008) Sagem Securite announces that it has been chosen by La Française des Jeux, the French lottery operator, to supply and maintain 26,400 ticket checkers (TC3 terminals).................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches Its First Gift Scratch Card
FRANCE (September 17, 2008) -- On September 14, La Française des Jeux launched a completely new game offer: its first gift scratch card.............Subscribers

A New Life For LOTO® Game
BOULOGNE, France (September 10, 2008) -- October 6 will mark a new start for La Française des Jeux LOTO® game. The game played by 15 million French players will offer bigger and more frequent prizes as well as twice more chances of winning...............Subscribers

France Set To Privatize Lottery Company
PARIS, France (September 10, 2008) - The French government will privatise the national lottery company, La Francaise des Jeux, via a Bourse introduction next year..................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches a New Instant Game Based on Funfairs
FRANCE (September 3, 2008) -- On August 28, La Française des Jeux launched a €1 new instant game based on the funfair theme called ‘Crescendo’. Crescendo is the third instant theme-based game launched in 2008 after Totémia (travel and adventure based-game) and Menez l’enquête ! (Lead the investigation!,a game linked to TV police series)..............Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches a New Instant Game Based on the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
FRANCE (July 2008) -- On June 19, La Française des Jeux launched a new special event instant game based on the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games theme: "Avec l’équipe de France olympique à Pékin 2008" (With the French Olympic team in Beijing 2008)................Subscribers

France to Sell Stake in La Francaises des Jeux
PARIS, France (June 11, 2008) -- The French government on Wednesday will announce the sale of a stake in La Francaises des Jeux, the world’s third largest lottery operator with annual sales of €9.5bn (US$14.7bn).................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches a New Instant Game Based on Police Investigation
FRANCE (May 19, 2008) -- On May 15, La Française des Jeux launched a €2 new instant game based on the successful and famous TV police series theme called ‘Menez l’Enquete !’ (Lead the investigation!)............Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches a New Instant Game Based on Travel and Adventure
FRANCE (May 14, 2008) -- On April 24, La Française des Jeux launched a €3 new instant game based on travel and adventure theme called ‘Totémia’........................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches the New Generation of Millionnaire Core Game
FRANCE (March 20, 2008) -- On March 13, 2008 La Française des Jeux has launched the new generation of its instant game Millionnaire.....................Read the full Story at: Vol.42 No.13

La Française des Jeux Launches A Corporate Advertising Campaign On The Theme: “Sport Owes You A Lot”
CEDEX, France (February 18, 2008) -- La Française des Jeux has enjoyed strong ties to the world of sports for 30 years. Its major contribution to sports funding, its partnership with the French Olympic movement, its cycling team and its Foundation’s sponsorship activities all illustrate the company’s commitment to sports.......................Read the full story at: Vol.42 No.8

Scientific Games Awarded French Instant Ticket Contract
Revenue from La Francaise des Jeux Estimated at $10 Million Per Year
NEW YORK, USA (February 11, 2008) -- Scientific Games (Nasdaq: SGMS) announced it has been chosen as the primary instant ticket provider to La Francaise des Jeux ("FDJ"), the operator of the French National Lottery................Read the full story at: Vol.42 No.7

La Française des Jeux 2007 and 2008: Responsible Gaming Dynamism
BOULOGNE, France (January 29, 2008) -- On 29 January 2008, Christophe Blanchard-Dignac, Chairman and CEO, presented La Française des Jeux 2007 activity results and projects for 2008.....................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches Its Corporate Web-Site www.francaisedesjeux.com
CEDEX, France (January 28, 2008) -- La Française des Jeux launches its new corporate Internet site based on three major themes: the company La Française des Jeux; sustainable development; games and winners...............Read the full story at: Vol.42 No.6

Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) Sales Dip in 2007
FRANCE (January 30, 2008) -- For the first time in 15 years, French lottery operator Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) saw a dip in sales in 2007..............Subscribers

Francaise des Jeux: Court Requests More Information
PARIS, France (January 21, 2008) -- The Versailles appeals court has requested further information on the conformity of the monopoly held by the French gaming company Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) with European legislation...........Subscribers

News 2007

Pathological Gambling is Handled in France
Signing of a convention to create the first excessive gambling reference centre in France
FRANCE (December 20, 2007) -- The CHU hospital in Nantes, La Française des Jeux and the PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain) signed today, Thursday 20 December, a convention to create the first Reference Centre for excessive gambling..................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches a New Instant Game Based on an Auction Theme
FRANCE (November 9, 2007) -- On November 1, La Française des Jeux launched a new instant game based on the auction theme..........Subscribers

European Commission Concerned by Unibet Arrest
BRUSSELS (October 23, 2007) -- The European Commission expressed concern on Tuesday about the arrest of a chief executive of international online betting firm Unibet, who was picked up on a warrant issued by French authorities..............Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Corporate Foundation and Its Professional Cycling Team Support a Rehabilitation Project of Prisoners
FRANCE (July 31, 2007) -- From 8 to 15 June 2007, La Française des Jeux through its Corporate Foundation (Fondation d’Entreprise) as well as its professional cycling team gave support to a rehabilitation programme called ‘Chti Ventoux’.............Subscribers

French Court Rules Against Gambling Monopoly
PARIS, France (July 11, 2007) -- France's top court has overturned a decision that banned a Maltese company from offering online betting on horse races in France............Subscribers

Three People Held in Connection with Alleged Massive Euro Millions Lottery Scam
PARIS, France (June 26, 2007) -- Two Paris shopkeepers and another person were in police custody Tuesday after they allegedly scammed a European lottery and collected €33 million (US$44 million), according to published reports.............Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches a New Instant Game Based on the Rugby Theme
FRANCE (June 11, 2007) -- On June 7, La Française des Jeux launched a new special event instant game based on the rugby theme: " Tous derrière le XV de France ! " (All behind the French team). ........Read the full story at: Vol.39 No.12

La Française Des Jeux Games Illegal For Minors
FRANCE (June 5, 2007) -- On May 8, 2007 the French government published two decrees that forbid La Française des Jeux, the French lottery operator, from selling lottery and sports betting games to children under the age of 18. The new legislation will come into force on July 1, 2007..........Subscribers

State Lotteries in Europe: France and Finland Have Worked to Create a European Code of Practice For Sports Betting
BOULOGNE, France (May 29, 2007) -- La Française des Jeux has signed the European code of conduct for sports betting drawn up by the European Lotteries association, which brings together 72 State lotteries............Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Launches Sudoku
FRANCE (March 12, 2007) -- On March 8, La Française des Jeux launched Sudoku, a 2 euros extended-play instant game based on the growing popularity of the logic-based number placement puzzle..........Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Release 2006 Results: A Growth Driven By Euro Millions
FRANCE (February 10, 2007) -- La Française des Jeux closed its 2006 financial year with sales of EUR 9.5 billion, representing an increase of 6.1% year on year...........Read the full story at: Vol.38 No.8

The French National Lottery Selects InStranet to Improve Customer Experience
CHICAGO, Illinois, USA (January 11, 2007)--InStranet, Inc., a global provider of multi-channel knowledge applications, today announced that the French National Lottery, La Française des Jeux (FDJ), has implemented its award-winning Contact Center In-Line™ (CCIL) application.........Read the full story at: Vol.38 No.4

News 2006

La Française des Jeux Launches Scrabble®
FRANCE (November 8, 2006) -- On November 2, La Française des Jeux launched Scrabble®, a 2 euros extended-play instant game based on the famous traditional board game................................Subscribers

France, EU Clash Over Online Gambling
BELGIUM (October 13, 2006) -- The European Commission is targeting PMU and Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) to end what is alleged to be a monopoly on Internet gambling in France.....................Subscribers

Calls For Equal Treatment In Online Gaming Row
FRANCE (September 25, 2006) -- French company Groupe Lucien Barriere, which runs casinos, hotels and restaurants, has called for equal treatment with French gaming companies Francaise des Jeux and PMU in the row over online gaming controls...........................Subscribers

French Online-Betting Monopolies Challenged by EU; BWin Shares Unfrozen
PARIS, France (September 20, 2006) -- The European Commission is expected to begin disciplinary proceedings against France next month over that country's failure to ensure the free movement of goods and services in its online gambling sector. At present, that sector is monopolised by Francaise des Jeux (FDJ), the French lottery and scratch cards group...........................Subscribers

French Curbs On Gambling Face Challenge; EU To Charge France Over Anti-Competitive Gambling Laws On Oct 18 - Source
BRUSSELS, Belgium (September 19, 2006) --The European Commission is reportedly investigating whether France is illegally protecting its gambling market, according to a report, quoting commission spokesman for the internal market Oliver Drewes..................................Subscribers

French Lawyer of bwin Claims France Using “Disproportionate And Illegitimate” Methods
AFP Interview with French Lawyer of bwin Co-CEOs

PARIS, France (September 17, 2006) -- In the bwin case, France is acting in a “disproportionate and illegitimate manner”, says Frederic Manin, the French lawyer of bwin Co-CEOs Manfred Bodner and Norbert Teufelberger who are still being held in France.............................Subscribers

EU Prepared to Target More Member States Over Gambling Restrictions
BRUSSELS (September 18, 2006) -- The European Commission said it is prepared to target more EU member states deemed to be stifling competition in the sports gambling sector..............................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Files Lawsuits Against Online Gaming Firms; French Police Arrest Austrian Gambling Execs
PARIS, France (September 16, 2006) -- The joint chief executives of BWin, of Austria, were reportedly detained by French police yesterday...........................Subscribers

State Lottery to be Monitored by New Committee
FRANCE (June 28, 2006) -- French lottery company La Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) is to be monitored by a new committee that has been set up by the government as part of plans to...............................Subscribers

French Lottery Delays Game Launch
PARIS, France (June 21, 2006) -- The French national lottery, La Francaise des Jeux (FDJ), announced yesterday that the launch of a new game has been postponed until .....................Subscribers

Player Sues Lottery
PARIS, France (June 3, 2006) – A French lottery player is reportedly suing La Française Des Jeux (LFDJ) for €2 million Euro..........................Subscribers

French Lottery Operator Reports Increased Turnover Despite Competition
PARIS, France (May 19, 2006) -- France's two leading gambling operators, PMU and Francaise des Jeux (FDJ), saw their respective turnovers rise by 6 and 4.3 per cent last year..........................Subscribers

La Francaise des Jeux Celebrates 30 Years as Operator of the French National Lottery
PARIS, France (May 15, 2006) -- La Francaise des Jeux, the operator of the French national lottery, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the launch of the lottery, its key product.........................Subscribers

Partouche Challenges French Lottery’s Online Gambling Monopoly
PARIS, France (April 12, 2006) -- Partouche, France's second-biggest casino group, is heading a campaign by SCMF, the French union of casino operators, against the monopoly held by the French lottery operator..........................Subscribers

Legal Dispute Erupts, Call to Abolish State Lottery Monopoly
PARIS, France (April 10, 2006) -- The association of modern casinos in France, one of the two professional organisations for the sector, has lodged a complaint with the European Commission ...........................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Joker+, One More Chance to be Lucky!
FRANCE (March 29, 2006) -- On March 26, La Française des Jeux changed its add-on game Joker for a new and improved passive game called Joker+. With Joker, people could play this game in combination with Loto only; the new Joker+ is available with Loto, Keno, Euro Millions and Super Loto...................................Read the full story at: Vol.34 No.13

La Francaise des Jeux to Face Greater Government Scrutiny
FRANCE (March 14, 2006) -- La Francaise des Jeux (FDJ), the French lottery, will in future have to submit its plans for new products to the French budget ministry for approval each year...........................Subscribers

La Française des Jeux Reports Growth of 4.3% in 2005
BOULOGNE, France (January 6, 2006) -- In 2005 La Française des Jeux registered sales of 8.9 billion Euros, up by 4.3% vs. previous year. ........................Read the full story at: Vol.34 No.2

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