FDJ United Says bet365 Has Made Little Impact in France

The comments came alongside FDJ’s nine-month results. Online betting and gaming revenue fell 8.2%, although France remained one of the group’s stronger markets.

FDJ Sees Little Change Since bet365’s Arrival

Deutsche Bank analyst Richard Stuber asked Levy about competition in France following bet365’s entry. Levy said the bookmaker had been relatively quiet during the World Cup. He also questioned whether its sportsbook had been sufficiently adapted for France, where betting payout rules and popular sports differ from other markets.

"For the time being, we have not seen them taking market share," Levy said during the earnings call.

He described bet365 as an efficient competitor and said FDJ would continue watching its development.

FDJ’s head of investor relations, Marc Willaume, estimated the group’s French market share to be in the 20% range, although official figures were not yet available.

bet365 Emphasized Local Adaptation at Launch

At its May launch, bet365 stressed the importance of local adaptation. Global chief marketing officer Alex Sefton said the company’s expansion strategy combined global technology with an understanding of local customs and culture. France, he said, would follow the same approach.

15M reported bet365’s French regulatory approval in April. The operator subsequently launched its website and mobile app under a licence from the National Gaming Authority (ANJ).

€34M in Taxes Against a €56M Revenue Drop

FDJ’s investor presentation gives the following figures for online betting and gaming over the first nine months:

• Revenue – €619 million, down from €675 million;
• Gross gaming revenue (GGR) – €1.013 billion, down 0.8%;
• Additional gaming taxes – €34 million;
• GGR outside the UK and Netherlands – up 5.7%.

The revenue decline amounts to €56 million. By 15M’s calculation, the additional taxes equal 60.7% of that decrease. This is a comparison of the reported amounts, rather than a formal breakdown of the decline.

France accounted for 27% of FDJ’s online revenue, the same share as Scandinavia. The UK and Netherlands contributed 12% each.

FDJ’s Sportsbook Rollout Runs Through 2027

FDJ completed the merger of its French sportsbook systems in the first half of 2026, moving Unibet customers to one platform and account. The group plans to roll out its proprietary sportsbook technology across most of its markets by the end of 2027.

For rival operators, the real test will be whether FDJ’s platform consolidation improves its performance as bet365 builds its presence in France.