FDJ Acquires Premier Lotteries Ireland, The Operator of The Irish Lottery

Boulogne, July 27, 2023 (5:40 p.m.) – La Française des Jeux (FDJ) has signed an agreement to acquire Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), which holds the exclusive rights to operate the Irish National Lottery until 2034. FDJ acquires the entire capital of Premier Lotteries Ireland for an enterprise value of
€350 million.

On this occasion, Stéphane Pallez, Chief Executive Officer of the FDJ group, declared: “I am proud to welcome Premier Lotteries Ireland, historical partner of the Euromillions community, within the FDJ group, which thus becomes for the first time operator of a lottery abroad. This acquisition is perfectly in line with our international development strategy and our core business. FDJ is thus continuing its development, while remaining faithful to its recreational, responsible and redistributive gaming model. We look forward to working together and taking advantage of all opportunities for mutual enrichment.”

Andrew Algeo, Managing Director of Premier Lotteries Ireland, said: “FDJ’s support opens an exciting new chapter in PLI’s history, which will benefit the Irish National Lottery and its many stakeholders. I am grateful to our OTPP shareholders and An Post for their support, through which the National Lottery has experienced sustained and sustainable growth. The PLI team looks forward to partnering with FDJ for an even better performing Irish National Lottery and contributing to FDJ’s international expansion in the lottery industry.”

In 2014, the Irish National Lottery license was awarded for a period of 20 years, until November 2034, to a consortium led by the Canadian pension fund Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, associated with An Post, the Irish post office , and the An Post Pension Fund.

In 2022, the Irish gambling market ranked 7th ⁱⁿ Europe ^[1] and nearly 76% of Irish adults have played a lottery game. Premier Lotteries Ireland redistributed 65% of its Gross Gaming Revenue (GGA) ^[2] of €399 million to over 4,000 charities, amounting to almost €260 million.

It achieved a turnover of 140 million euros with an EBITDA margin comparable to that of the FDJ group.

With more than two hundred employees, Premier Lotteries Ireland offers an offer of approximately 45 games, marketed in a diversified network of more than 5,300 points of sale, and online, with more than 15% of digital stakes. Draw games represent two-thirds of its stakes and instant games one-third.

The finalization of this transaction remains subject to the usual conditions precedent, in particular the authorization of the Irish National Lottery regulator, which should take place in the second half of 2023.

Clifford Chance and A&L Goodbody LLP acted as legal advisors and BNP Paribas as financial advisor to FDJ for this transaction.