French casinos fear slot machines in tobacco shops
La Française des Jeux is about to enter the private sector, raising a number of doubts and fears among casino operators.
They particularly fear competition from a new giant in the sector that generates the most revenue: slot machines. According to one of the most influential casino operators in the field, the new FDJ plans to install machines in all its points of sale, even in tobacco shops.
This information remains to be confirmed, but it reinforces the fears and apprehensions of French casino operators regarding this privatization.
Privatization of the FDJ: Major casino groups are worried
The plan to privatize Française Des Jeux was recently unveiled and appears to be taking shape. Before the end of this year, the French government, which previously held over 72% of the company’s shares, will own only 20%. From this sale, it hopes to raise €1 billion to invest in various innovation projects. This is therefore a major project for the government, to which this recently privatized company will now pay taxes.
But for major casino operators, this privatization could signal the end of their monopoly on slot machines. According to various indiscretions, the Ministry of Economy and Finance is preparing to give its approval for the new Française Des Jeux, resulting from the privatization, to install its own slot machines, a type of game that accounts for 90% of the revenue of major groups such as Tranchant, Partouche, Joa , and Barrière.
Faced with this situation, operators are now stepping up to the plate. According to Romain Tranchant, the goal is to « make the bride more beautiful before privatization. » According to him, the FDJ would like to install up to 225,000 slot machines in its many points of sale and even in tobacconists.
>>> Also read: « The privatization of the FDJ should take place as early as November 2019 »
False alarm?
At this stage, it’s difficult to know if the information is true. Indeed, no official announcement has been made by the Ministry of Finance. Moreover, opinions among parliamentarians differ on the matter.
For MP Régis Juanico, this is nothing more than a false alarm. The Génération.s MP explained that even if the FDJ might be tempted to act in this way, measures have been taken to prevent such excesses. This opinion is not shared by all of his colleagues in the assembly. Questioned on the subject, another parliamentarian analyzed: » …even if we limit it to one gaming terminal per point of sale, the FDJ will become the largest casino in France . »
While we wait for a little more clarity in this matter, French casino operators have no choice but to stand together. This unprecedented situation is somewhat reminiscent of that of online casino operators. Faced with the lack of clarity in French legislation on the subject, the latter have gradually become persona non grata on the French market. Today, this sector remains one of the most complex and backward in Europe…
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