FDJ United, the newly rebranded and expanded historic French gaming operator La Française des Jeux, published its 2024 annual report today. A year that CEO and Chairwoman Stéphane Pallez describes as “a new chapter in our Group’s history,” as the company extended its operations to an unprecedented scale with the acquisition of Kindred. The Group is evolving rapidly from a national monopoly holder to one of Europe’s leading gaming and betting operators.
“With the successful acquisition in October 2024 of the online gaming champion Kindred, we are beginning a new chapter in our Group’s history,” Pallez writes in her introduction to the report. “Standing together under the FDJ UNITED banner, we are now one of the leading gaming and betting operators in Europe, with a more diversified profile and a greater international focus.”
A strategic leap forward
The acquisition of Kindred in October 2024, valued at nearly €2.5 billion, catapulted the Group into the European top 3 in terms of net gaming revenue. It also significantly reshaped its revenue profile. According to the report, 26 percent of FDJ UNITED’s revenue now comes from international markets, a sixfold increase from the 4 percent recorded prior to the Kindred acquisition.
With Kindred, FDJ United acquired famous brands such as Unibet, 32Red, and Maria Casino. The integration has also brought the total number of employees to over 5,000, representing more than 70 nationalities and operating in around 15 regulated markets.
“This is a decisive ramp-up for our growth,” Pallez notes. “It is embodied by the people who make up our new Group… With PLI and now Kindred, our workforce has expanded from around 3,000 individuals to more than 5,000.”
Robust financial performance
FDJ UNITED closed the year with €3.1 billion in revenue, servicing nearly 33 million players across Europe. The Group’s retail network includes nearly 34,000 points of sale, with close to 29,000 in France. However, the most dramatic shift has been digital.
Thanks to Kindred’s technological capabilities, the share of digital revenue has jumped from 12 to 34 percent.
“We will continue to invest in innovation and digital technologies,” Pallez explained. “Our goal is to deepen our expertise in state-of-the-art technological platforms and capabilities.”
Ready for the future
When discussing the future, the company proudly emphasizes its readiness for whatever comes next.
New competition prompted by the arrival of international leaders? “Acquisitions are a growth avenue for FDJ UNITED,” the company responds.
More stringent regulations? “FDJ UNITED is able to anticipate and respond accordingly.”
Diversification and sustainability emerge as central themes throughout the report. Diversification not only across geographies and verticals but also beyond gaming, with payment solutions launched in 2023.
All the while staying true to their roots: “Our contributive model will continue to serve the French economy and, in particular, the nearly 29,000 retailers in our network,” said Pallez. “We remain deeply attached to our strong roots in local communities.”
Key 2024 highlights from FDJ UNITED annual report
- Revenue: €3.1 billion
- Players: Nearly 33 million across Europe
- Digital share of revenue: 34% (vs. 12% pre-Kindred)
- Retail points of sale: Nearly 34,000, with 29,000 in France
- Employees: Over 5,000 from 70+ nationalities
- International revenue: 26% of total (vs. 4% in 2023)
- Top 3: Now one of the Top 3 gaming and betting operators in Europe (by NGR)
- Share of GGR derived from high-risk gamblers: 1% for the FDJ scope and 3% for the Kindred scope
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