We plan to add additional meetings in 2010

In an interview with the "echoes", the CEO of the PMU is the point on the activity of the operator of horse paris (9,26 EUR billion of turnover in 2008). Regarding its development project in the sports betting on the Internet, field in which he is 20-25 market share, Philippe Germond explained the importance of a "strategic" just established with Paddy Power Irish society partnership.

The beginning of the year has been difficult for the PMU. Ultimately, how ends 2009

Finally, we should achieve growth slightly below 1. What is right in the current context. The third quarter was better than the first half of 0.6 for the first six months, Editor's note and we again observe a slight growth in the fourth. The evolution of our activity is a reflection of the crisis: we record an increase in catches of paris, but the average basket has decreased by 3 to EUR 11 about.

Is that explains this resistance

It has a positive effect due to the increase in the number of races and the enlargement of the timeslots. We have added 13 days in night or semi-nocturne. Ultimately, supply rose by 4. We have also launched new products such as the Flexi Quinte, who can play with the Quinte 50 of the development. We plan to add additional meetings in 2010. Densification has a limit: must be a sufficient number of outgoing quality horses. But the French horse racing industry has an important reservoir. I note also that there is two times less races with catches of national paris in France to the United Kingdom.

Is this a response to the opening in June 2010 at the latest, of the French market of games online

This is a first response. But our strategy, it is also to cover this new field. We previously announced: we will diversify our range of online games. We cannot remain only an operator of horse paris to our future competitors, who will offer betting, sports betting and poker. 37 of the clients of pmu.fr are also the sports betting, and another third of them intend to do the same. This is an issue of loyalty, but also a way to target a younger clientele and CSP .

Where is the preparation of your offer in this area

We are very solicited since we announced our diversification. We are already integrate a technological solution of the Orbis society to offer bets at fixed odds. But, above all, we have to make a strategic choice by signing a partnership with the number a Paddy Power Irish, which is also one of the main actors on the British market of games online. Paddy Power, which also operates a network of 250 establishments in paris, will put at our disposal all its technical knowledge modelling, which will give us a strong competitiveness, particularly in the "live betting" paris live paris, Editor's note. They will also have the load set ratings and risk management. It is a five year exclusive partnership. Paddy Power, therefore will not come to settle on the French market. It will be, in turn, paid on the generated margin.

What is your ambition

On sports betting, we want to be among the first three players in France, with a market share of 20 to 25. We will have a single brand: Pmu.fr. Its reputation is unmatched. The value of the PMU, is not only its profitability, or a net result of EUR 736 million in 2008. It is also its customer base, which we have the total control: we have 6.5 million customers betting at least once a year and 2.5 million regular customers. On the Internet, we are already 650 million euros of paris with several hundreds of thousands of players.

When are you ready

To be one of the leaders of the sports betting market, should be prepared the day of the licensing. The final determination of launch will be taken with Racecourse, France Gallop and the society of French horse, according to the law.

What will be the degree of animation from your site

It is clear that a sports betting website will become a True Sport Portal delivering information continuously. We will appeal to a specialized agency to ensure the flow of sports information, but also journalists and athletes, as well as communication and media groups probably.

What kind of partnerships will you do for sponsorship

We are present on the Tower of France long, and recent impact studies are very positive. We are also satisfied with our partnership with the Top 14 rugby. We debated internally to see if, in football, sports that focus about 80 of the sports betting, we must be partners in a particular team. In keeping with the culture to the pari-mutuel betting in force in the races, we prefer not to be partisan. We are ecumenical, so we will always link to a competition or a sports institution.

Do you, like the Française des Jeux, offer sports betting in your network hard

Prohibited us by law. The opening is that betting on the Internet. For the physical network, the Française des Jeux will retain its dual monopoly on lotteries, scratch games and sports betting, as we keep our horse betting system. It's like this.

Will you ever go to expand your business to the poker

It is tempting, because our competitors will offer a comprehensive offering of games, and it is another opportunity for rejuvenation of the customer. But it is a culture different from ours. Betting sports is a natural extension of the horse betting as races, remember the, is the sport. For poker, we think still and the emergency position is less.