The European Commission announced, on Monday 26 July, that it has opened an in-depth investigation to determine whether the granting of exclusive rights to Française des Jeux for 25 years complies with EU State aid rules.
The granting of exclusive rights concerns the operation, on the one hand, of lottery games marketed in a physical distribution network and online, and, on the other hand, of sports betting marketed in a physical distribution network.
Following the receipt of two complaints relating to the sum of €380 million paid by Française des Jeux to France in remuneration of the exclusive rights granted, the Commission will verify that the remuneration complies with market conditions and not to rule out, at this stage, that the measure could provide an undue economic advantage to Française des Jeux.
The opening of an in-depth investigation gives France and all interested parties the opportunity to comment on the measure in question. It does not in any way prejudge the outcome of the investigation. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)