FDJ appoints Nathalie Le Garlantezec as Director of Communications

Garance Limouzy September 30, 2024

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FDJ appoints Nathalie Le Garlantezec as Director of Communications

Nathalie Le Garlantezec has been appointed the new Director of Communications for La Française des Jeux (FDJ), stepping into a role on the company’s Executive Committee. She takes over from Raphaële Rabatel and brings a wealth of experience in marketing and communications.

Le Garlantezec, 48, holds a degree in Economics and a Master’s in Marketing & Advertising. Her professional journey has been rooted in marketing, starting at Picard Surgelés before moving to McDonald’s France in 2000. Her strategic leadership helped reshape McDonald’s corporate image in the country.

Since 2016, Le Garlantezec has been with FDJ, where she led the group’s brand and institutional communication. She was instrumental in the public communications surrounding FDJ’s IPO in 2019 and played a key role in overhauling the company’s identity, introducing the new slogan “And See France Win.”

In her new position, Le Garlantezec will manage FDJ’s brand communication, media relations, sports integrity initiatives, sponsorships, and more. Her primary mission will be to maintain the strong relationship between FDJ and its stakeholders while further strengthening the company’s reputation as a European leader in gaming, especially as it continues its international expansion.

FDJ’s impressive growth

FDJ’s revenue for the first half of 2024 reached €1.428 billion, an 11 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023, and a 5 percent rise on a like-for-like basis. Gaming activities in France saw a 7 percent growth, bringing in €1.299 billion. Lottery revenue rose by 5 percent to €1.005 billion, driven by strong performances in both instant games and draws. Sports betting and competitive online games surged by 15 percent, reaching €294 million.
Online gaming revenue saw a significant rise to €201 million, up by 40 percent, largely due to the acquisitions of PLI and ZEturf. This growth was mainly fuelled by an increase in the number of players, with online sales now accounting for 15 percent of total revenue. Sales in physical outlets also rose by 8 percent.

FDJ’s new venture

This leadership change comes at a time when FDJ is expanding into new territories. The company recently received regulatory approval to acquire Kindred Group for €2.45 billion, a significant step into the online betting market. This acquisition aligns with FDJ’s broader strategy of diversifying beyond lotteries and asserting its presence in the competitive European gambling industry. However, it also raised regulatory concerns, particularly around the potential for cross-selling between FDJ’s monopoly lottery operations and its new online betting platform. The deal has been closely monitored by both French and European authorities.