FDJ reported a rise in player stakes across all segments, up 7% to €8.4bn. Sports betting grew the most; 15% to €1.8bn, while lottery contributed the largest total, rising 5% to €6.6bn.

FDJ said its sports betting brand Parions Sport grew twice as fast as the overall online French sports betting market. It was boosted by the African Cup of Nations and the Fifa Women’s World Cup, which was held in France this year.

Scratch cards and draw games also saw increases, rising 8% to €4bn and 2% to €2.5bn respectively.

In its H1 report, FDJ announced a 40% growth in online player stakes to €1.6bn.

Key moments for the operator in the year so far include its acquisition of supplier Sporting Group, winning the French General Directorate of Public Finance tender and the creation of its €30m investment fund for improving customer experience and entertainment.

Stéphane Pallez, Chairwoman and CEO of FDJ Group, said: “We are laying the groundwork for the group's future expansion and the strengthening of the resilience of its business model.

“This will be achieved by, notably, developing our international B2B activities and our payment services, two pillars of our Strategy 2025 recently approved by the group's board of directors."