Groupe Partouche of France reported 133.9 million euros ($151.4 million) of gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021.
For the three-month period, the casino operator’s GGR increased by 7.2%, primarily driven by growth in its slot machine segment.
While Groupe Partouche’s traditional games revenue grew by just 1.7%, slot machines experienced an 8.6% increase in GGR year-on-year, rising to €108.6 million – 81% of the group’s total revenue. for the quarter.
Groupe Partouche attributed the poor performance of its traditional games to Covid-related closures, which negatively impacted its physical casino operations, which remained closed for six months; double the previous fiscal year.
Likewise, its casinos in Switzerland and Belgium have also suffered from closures, although all have since reopened, albeit with limitations.
These closures, particularly its Ostende casino in Switzerland, led to a 51% drop in the GGR for its operations outside France. But discounting Ostende’s closure, it would have increased by 19.2% instead, a phenomenon Groupe Partouche credits to the rise of Swiss online gaming.
A tough time for the French betting market
However, the operator’s net gaming revenue (NGR) exceeded the French national average. Across the sector the number has fallen by 41%, as reported by the Casinos de France union. But Groupe Partouche’s NGR, after tax, totaled €215.9 million, a decline of 23.7%.
And despite the introduction of France’s health pass, a certificate issued to citizens who are fully vaccinated or test negative, attendance has rebounded slightly.
In total, the casino operator’s turnover for the fiscal year was €255.7 million, down from last year by €87.8 million or 25.6%.
About Groupe Partouche
Groupe Partouche was founded in 1973 and operates casinos, a gaming club, hotel restaurants, spas and golf courses throughout France and Europe. It operates 41 casinos and employs nearly 3,900 people.
