SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Betclic Everest Group (BEG) senior management issued a company statement expressing corporate confidence in the future of the French regulated igaming market. Having undergone full product refinement and operational adjustment for their igaming portfolio, of sports betting, casino and poker in order to adapt to the strict igaming compliance imposed by French Gaming regulators.
Betclic Everest Group issues a statement that the company is on target to record more than €20m EBITDA in France, following operational restructuring undertaken for the group in the last two years.
Isabelle Andres BEG Chief Executive, praised the company’s progress in the French market, further commenting that senior management expected the company to recover fully with the company operating back in the black at an operating profit level in 2013 while the BEG igaming brands – Betclic, Everest, Expekt and Bet-at-home, would generate between €250-€300m in gaming revenues for 2013
In terms of French igaming, BEG have maintained its 37% market, since regulated igaming commenced in 2010. The French regulated igaming market has seen an increase of 13% from 2012 figures.
Marc Guigo Head of France for Betclic commented that French igamings outlook looked positive, with BEG witnessing investment in the Ligue1 French football league and increased betting in Champions league and major international football tournaments.
Marc Guigo commented – “the online betting market is competitive and dynamic and we have focused our growth on three key points: mobile, where over 40% of bets are now placed by our players, football betting, which now accounts for 62% of our betting mix, the World Cup in 2014 and the development of our bets offering, where football offers have now doubled and tennis offers have grown 50%.”
Isabelle Andres said “40% of BEG’s revenues are generated in France and more than 50% of the group’s revenues now come from regulated markets, a figure that is closer to 30% for other EU operators”. She added that BEG would apply for a sports betting licence for the regulating German market in 2014.
The statement further read of the Company’s future plans for the market. BEG will continue to concentrate marketing and operational efforts in the French region. BEG senior management are further keen work closer with governing bodies for the region, in order to create adequate and competitive infrastructure for igaming in the region. The Group is also looking to increase market share in the popular and growing French poker market, where it will aim to compete with market leaders – Pokerstars and WinMax
