If Groupe Partouche’s financial results are any indication, the French are returning to casinos in droves. The France-based gaming company reported a 490% year-on-year revenue increase for its second quarter, covering February to April.

The period saw a gross gaming revenue of €148.2 million (US$154.5 million), an increase of €35.1 million (US$36.48 million) over the same period in the previous year. Partouche, however, did not give any details about its expenses or final profits.

The company pointed out that the quarter was affected by certain activities. It highlighted the sale of its stake at the Crans-Montana Casino in Switzerland and the halting of online gambling in Belgium.

Casinos in France are once again available online.

The second-quarter performance improved the company’s turnover in the first half of the year. This figure was €187.2 million (US$194.61 million) compared to €47.2 million (US$49.07 million) in 2021.

Tax and other official expenses in the first half were €136.6 million (US$141.92 million). This resulted in net gaming revenue of €153.4 million (US$159.4 million). Year over year, that is an increase of 246.3%.

Non-gaming revenue was €35.2 million (US$36.57 million). As a result, and accounting for €1.4 million (US$1.45 million) in fidelity program costs, Groupe Partouche had total revenue of €187.2 million (US$194.44 million). That represents a year-on-year increase of 296.6%.

The reopening of French land-based casinos following the relaxation of COVID-19 measures led to a significant rise in gambling. Health restrictions to control the spread of the coronavirus led to the closure of French casinos in the second quarter of 2020-21.

However, Groupe Partouche’s Swiss properties only opened toward the end of that period. Another venue, the only casino in Tunisia, shut down daily at 10 PM during the pandemic.

Overcoming Massive Challenges

All French casinos closed their doors completely during the second quarter of the previous financial year. This was because of the government’s general measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The casino in Ostend, Belgium, also shut down.

As of April 19, 2021, the Swiss casinos of Meyrin and Crans-Montana began to welcome back customers without any curfew. However, they had to respect health restrictions.

The Djerba Casino in Tunisia remained open during the period, but adhered to a government-initiated curfew. Fortunately for Groupe Partouche, online gaming launched in Switzerland in November 2020. In addition, Belgian betting and games were both active throughout the quarter.

As a result of the health restrictions, attendance at French casinos was down by -19.7% compared to the second quarter of 2019. Still, average per-player spending increased by over 20% to €89 (US$92.44). Moreover, since the government removed the restrictions, attendance has increased by 13.7%.