French national lottery operator Française des Jeux (FDJ) has launched a new payment solution designed to help households pay their rent and bills.
Nirio was announced earlier this year and represents a collaboration between FDJ and the French Confederation of Tobacconists.
This solution will supposedly allow citizens to pay their water, gas, electricity or telephone bills – as well as rent – at authorised outlets.
FDJ explained how Nirio works: “After scanning their invoice using the Nirio application, the user will have a payment QR code generated on their smartphone, which they can present to a partner merchant.
“After checking their identity document, the user can pay the bill in cash or by card. A proof of payment will then be given to them.”
Currently, 10,000 FDJ partner merchants have signed up to offer Nirio, of which more than half are already approved by France’s Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (ACPR).
FDJ has also partnered with housing firm Seqens, who will now, through Nirio, accept rent payments in cash or by card at approved points of sale.
According to FDJ, six million households in France do not wish to use direct debit to pay their bills. Consequently, it believes Nirio will serve as a preferable alternative.
“What is important for our group is to put people back at the heart of the payment of daily bills, by offering an alternative, practical and fast way for people who are sometimes far from urban areas or resistant to online payment,” said Raphaël Botbol, FDJ’s Strategy, Innovation and New Activities Director.
This launch comes at a busy time for FDJ, which has in recent weeks contributed to a heritage restoration project and made progress on a grassroots sport initiative.
Meanwhile, on the business front, FDJ recently entered into negotiations with Zeturf Group for a potential acquisition.
