FDJ has signed today an agreement to acquire Premier Lotteries Ireland, the operator holding the exclusive rights to the Irish national lottery until 2034.

In 2022, Premier Lotteries Ireland recorded gross gaming revenue (GGR) of €399 million and revenue of €140 million, with an EBITDA margin comparable to that of the FDJ Group, i.e. an additional contribution to Group growth of more than 5% over a full year.

FDJ said it is acquiring the entire capital of Premier Lotteries Ireland for an enterprise value of €350m. It means all three of Premier Lotteries current shareholders: main shareholder Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) plus An Post, and An Post Pension Fund, are selling their stakes. 

OTPP acquired the operator in 2014 for €405m in a deal that granted a 20-year licensing period and included keeping long-time lottery operator An Post and An Post Pension Funds as junior partners

While An Post has been a minority shareholder since the licence was privatised in the wake of the financial crisis the sale will mean no state involvement in the National Lottery for the first time since it was created. 

The sale is subject to approval by the Regulator of the National Lottery.