ENGLISH TEXTS into it, especially to better understand laws and our HR materials. It allows us to analyze contracts, compare purchases, generate surveys. We can even analyze customer voice feedback from satisfaction surveys.”
“ The spot is already an algorithm” These technologies are also helping with monitoring efforts. PMU offers“ moderators for responsible gambling.” Today, new algorithms are being deployed to monitor betting behavior and, if necessary, initiate a“ risk-reduction and prevention action plan,” encouraging bettors to moderate their habits.“ AI is therefore spreading across all areas of our business.” Winnings and odds are calculated using“ purely mathematical models.” But the Quinté Spot is“ already an algorithm.” Everything is guided by business value. The principle is that progress pays off. A motto comes with the new PMU + App, launched in May 2024:“ Performance, performance, performance... and cybersecurity.” Yes, all of this comes at a cost. But according to the two specialists, the AI used at PMU is“ 6 to 7 times cheaper” than ChatGPT or Gemini.“ We’ ve opted for the most affordable and energy-efficient tools on the market.” A new three-year improvement plan is already on the table for next year.
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FRANCE GALOP
By Serge Okey
HOW AI HELPS OPTIMIZE THE RACING PROGRAM
Using tons of data, and a bit of AI, France Galop is cracking down on underfilled races. And the early results are very encouraging. On one hand, their number is decreasing; on the other, races with more than 14 runners have seen a spectacular increase. The weight of data at France Galop?“ Considerable,” answers Pierre Laperdrix, head of race programming, without hesitation.“ If we export our flat racing file over a year, it’ s more than 50,000 rows, with about 50 columns per row. Inside, you’ ll find every race, every runner...” There were 6,859 races in 2024 and 9,674 horses registered as of March 1, 2025 … Naturally, such volume generates a mountain of data.“ We’ re drowning in data. We’ re working to make it more visible— but not to everyone, because some of it is monetized; it has value.” Since 2020, France Galop has had a much clearer view of all horses in training.“ We can filter everything by breed, age, region … That allows us to know that more 3-yearolds are expected to race on the flat compared to last year.” It also helps anticipate the famous“ May peaks,” with 195 to 199 races due to public holidays. Or detect that in cross-country races,“ there’ s a spike around July 12 due to increased PMU offerings around Bastille Day.” Races with more than 14 runners: a 173 % jump. To be clear, data and AI don’ t create the programs. But all this information helps“ optimize” them- to“ smooth out” the race offering as best as possible. Like Le Trot, the football and rugby leagues, the Tennis Federation, or Roland-Garros, France Galop has been working with the data intelligence and AI consulting firm Veltys since 2022. This strategic shift led to the development of“ an algorithm that scans the race calendar and highlights high-competition overlaps between races, using color codes based on risk levels.” This tool is especially helpful for“ higher-quality races, like conditions races for young horses, a less populous category.” This safeguard is already paying off. It helped reduce the number of underfilled flat races from 680 to 606 and jump races from 248 to 193. Conversely, races with 10 to 13 runners are on the rise, and races with more than 14 runners have jumped by 173 %. Since races with more participants generate more betting activity, this shift has already led to“€ 71 million in revenue thanks to this work.” A result that supports the belief that the future belongs to data and AI.“ We already publish a lot
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