French Operator to Take Over Ireland's Lottery Firm
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), the existing company that manages Ireland's national lottery, is set to be acquired by French lottery operator La Francaise des Jeux in a deal valued at €350m.
Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI) is presently predominantly owned by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, with An Post holding minority stakes. Headquartered in Dublin, the company received a license from the Irish Government in November 2014 to operate the lottery for 20 years.
Since it emerged as the operator of the Irish National Lottery, PLI has raised over €1.9 billion for Good Causes, with 2021 and 2022 being its most successful years.
Under the terms of the acquisition, the complete shares of the two stakeholders will be sold to the French operator, subject to approval from the gaming regulation authorities.
According to PLI, the sale will leverage the expertise of the French operator to enhance the Irish lottery. However, there will be no alterations in how the lottery generates funding, as it will continue to be under the ownership of the Irish State.
PLI has moved from strength to strength since winning the licence for the Irish National Lottery. I would like to thank Ontario Teachers' and An Post for their support in building PLI into a leading European operator in the period since 2014. During that time, the team at PLI has delivered for Good Causes and the community and looks forward to the next chapter of growth, where we will be able to share best practices with FDJ and continue to operate a responsible world-class lottery for the people of Ireland.
Long-Lasting Partnership
Over the years, FDJ and PLI have fostered a strong partnership through their joint operation of the transnational EuroMillions lottery.
FDJ is the largest lottery gaming operator in France and a prominent player in Europe. The company is renowned for its responsible gambling practices and dedication to funding Good Causes. With a diverse portfolio encompassing both lottery and sports betting, FDJ has established itself as a leader in the industry.
I am also delighted with the acquisition of Premier Lotteries Ireland, the operator of the Irish national lottery and a long-standing partner in the Euromillions community. Becoming the operator of a foreign lottery marks another major step in the FDJ Group's international development.
This sale marks the latest transaction for OTPP, which had previously sold off its UK and Illinois lottery businesses, suggesting that the fund is withdrawing from the gambling industry.
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