Q&A: Isabelle Andres, CEO, Betclic Everest Group
Andres speaks to eGaming Review about the operator's recent organisational restructuring and the year ahead
eGaming Review (eGR): How has 2014 been for Betclic Everest Group so far?
Isabelle Andres (IA): It is a year which has started well for Betclic Everest Group carried by a significant growth in sports betting activity. There has also been a steady development of the casino product in the Group’s European markets with the exception of France where it is not authorised. Overall we are pleased with our Q1 results and are focused to make the most of Q2, particularly with the World Cup coming soon.
eGR: Are you starting to see the benefits of Betclic’s recent organisational changes?
IA: We created a new division for product and innovation to ensure we have a top-notch product and last year we significantly improved our sports offering for Betclic and Expekt. Since we launched the new sport product in September we have been performing ahead of the market after strong trading, more than doubling our in-play offering and improving risk management.
But we want to be more than just sport which is the main reason we created this division so as to invest and develop in casino, games and poker to make sure we have the best possible product. Sport will remain in-house but casino and poker will be third party products. The innovation focus of course speaks for itself.
eGR: Staying on sport, how important will the FIFA World Cup be for the Group and how are you approaching the tournament?
IA: The World cup is obviously the major event of year 2014 for Betclic Everest Group. In the dynamic context of the sports betting market, we don’t expect to significantly increase our turnover during the time of the World Cup. More importantly we see it as an opportunity to attract new customers that may not have experienced the pleasure of betting online which could then continue betting on our sites, even after the World Cup.
eGR: What impact will the 15% PoC tax on UK-derived profits have on Betclic’s UK ambitions?
IA: We look with interest at the British market and we are certainly keeping an eye on the latest developments. Nevertheless, for our group it is still a small market for the time being and we give priority to other more strategic stakes.
eGR: With PMU set to separate its horserace betting liquidity, could this potentially be a big market for Betclic?
IA: With these new market conditions, which will apply at the latest from 30 September 2015, the online horse race betting market will finally be able to become competitive. These new market rules will put all companies on an equal footing, enable us to invest in our horse race betting business and become an influential operator in that market.
However, we don’t expect a major change in the competitive landscape. PMU will still remain the major operator in this sector but we are confident these new conditions, coupled by our ability to propose innovative products, should allow us to develop this activity.
eGR: How successful has the new Everest Poker product been so far?
IA: The relaunching of Everest Poker on the French market was well received by the market and our old customers, as well as a clear improvement in the recruitment of new customers. Nevertheless, in the context of a challenging poker environment, the relaunching of poker stays a stake for the Group. We know it will still demand a lot of attention.