FDJ United has appointed Virginie Christnacht as Chief Commercial Officer, with effect from 14 September 2026.
Christnacht will join the French lottery and betting operator’s Executive Committee, taking responsibility for its communications strategy, reputation and engagement with stakeholders in France and other markets.
The appointment comes during a wider organisational and operational transformation following FDJ United’s acquisition of Kindred Group in October 2024.
The €2.5bn ($2.9bn) transaction expanded its position across European online betting and gaming markets while increasing the scale of its digital operations.
The Group now operates across a broader range of regulated markets and is integrating businesses that previously traded under separate corporate identities.
This has increased the importance of maintaining a consistent communications strategy across its French lottery operations, retail network and international online brands.
Christnacht joins from advisory firm Teneo, where she served as Senior Managing Director and advised executives on strategic communications, reputation management, crisis response and public relations in France and other markets.
Between 2018 and 2023, she was Eurazeo Group Chief Communications Officer and a member of the investment group’s Executive Committee. During that period, she oversaw its communications strategy, introduced a new brand platform and supported the organisation’s international positioning.
Her earlier public-sector roles included leading the French Government’s Department of Communications between 2017 and 2018 and serving as Deputy Press Advisor to the Office of the French President from 2014 to 2017.
FDJ United Chairwoman and CEO, Stéphane Pallez, said: “Her wealth of experience in strategic communications, reputation management and executive support, which she gained during her time with leading public- and private-sector organisations, will be a major asset as we pursue our growth and transformation goals.”
The appointment follows other changes to FDJ United’s Executive Committee as the operator restructures responsibilities following the Kindred acquisition.
Pascal Chaffard was appointed Chief Online Betting and Gaming Officer and Group Strategy and Operational Transformation Officer, while Celia Verot became General Secretary.
FDJ United reported first-quarter 2026 GGR of €2.2bn, up 1% year-on-year, while revenue declined 3% to €895m following higher gaming taxes.
In June, FDJ United introduced a commission-advance scheme allowing qualifying tobacconists and newsagents to access up to €30,000 for store modernisation. The initiative supports its network of more than 29,000 French points of sale and forms part of its longer-term retail strategy.
Christnacht began her private-sector career with roles at Vinci, CNP Assurances and Dexia before moving into senior French public-sector communications
