Land-based casino operator Groupe Partouche, whose CEO was recently enmeshed in online gambling-related trouble in France, said net profit plunged 64.9 percent during H1 2007.
In a prepared statement, the group warned that "persistent gloom" will also hit second-half operating earnings and announced it is considering a move into minority stakes in foreign groups.
Net profit for the first half totaled 8.5 million euros ($11.4 million), plummeting from 24.3 million euros ($32.6 million) in H1 2006, while operating profit fell 39.5 percent to 33.1 million euros ($44.5 million).
Gross gaming sales also suffered, falling 5.9 percent during the period to 406.4 million euros ($546.4 million), and consolidated sales dropped 3.4 percent to 248.6 million euros ($334.2 million).
Partouche said the revenue slide was due "largely" to entry checks in force at French casinos since November 2006.
The group said that it will create poker rooms to attract new clients, and will initiate a slot machine renewal program in an effort to recover earnings.