La Française des Jeux (FDJ) has announced its plans to buy the shares of Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), operator of the National Lottery, from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, An Post and An Post Pension Fund.
The transaction is subject to approval by the Regulator of the National Lottery.
In a statement on its website, the Irish National Lottery noted that it is and will continue to be, owned by the Irish State for the benefit of Good Causes, regulated by the Regulator of the National Lottery and operated by Premier Lotteries Ireland DAC.
'We would like to assure you that the National Lottery games will continue as usual,' the group added.
According to the Irish National Lottery, PLI will continue to deliver its core purpose, to operate a responsible world-class lottery for the people of Ireland, raising much-needed Good Cause funds for the benefit of local communities throughout Ireland.
About FDJ
FDJ is the operator of the French National Lottery and France’s largest gaming company, bringing vast expertise in the lottery sector.
It is regulated in France, is publicly listed and quoted on the Paris Stock Exchange.
Triple-Locked Process
The Irish National Lottery noted that, as always, any new games or changes to existing ones will be subject to regulatory approval.
Similarly, any new or proposed changes to a game would need to go through a triple-locked process:
- They must be consistent with the provisions of the National Lottery Act, 2013;
- They must adhere to the terms of PLI’s operating licence;
- They must be approved by the Regulator of the National Lottery following regulatory assessment.
PLI continues to hold the licence to operate the National Lottery until 2034; this purchase does not alter that in any way, the statement highlighted.
