This growth was driven by a return to form for FDJ’s lottery segment, which experienced a 17% revenue rise largely attributable to France easing Covid restrictions. All points of sale have been open in 2022, while 10% of them were closed during H1 of last year.

Naturally, this offers a more favourable comparison, though sports betting turnover experienced the opposite, partially offsetting the growth of lottery.

Given last year’s UEFA Euro championship, wagering revenue experienced a 5% decline, with sports betting stakes undergoing an 11% fall.

From a digital perspective, online lottery activity saw a healthy rise, driven by a 31% year-on-year increase for Q2, which comes out to 14% for H1 as a whole.

After public levies and income from other activities, the group’s half-year sales amounted to €1.2bn. EBITDA, meanwhile, rose by 18% to €308m, up from €261m, and net income was up by 9.4% to €160m.

Moreover, the half year saw FDJ reiterate its corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments, particularly in regard to sustainable gambling.

Stéphane Pallez, FDJ’s Chair and CEO, commented on the group’s H1 results, and said it remains “cautious but confident.”

“Our business progressed over the half-year, in points of sale and digitally,” she remarked. “Given the deterioration of the global economic environment, the group remains cautious but confident in its prospects built on its extensive and responsible gaming model.”