Banijay Entertainment, which owns casinos operated by Tipico and Betclic, has announced its acquisition of JOA's network of 33 regional casinos in France. This strategic move aims to enhance Banijay's omnichannel offerings. The transaction is set to finalize in the latter half of this year, pending consultations with JOA’s employee representatives and approval from relevant regulatory authorities, including those overseeing competition and casino gaming.
While Banijay chose not to disclose the financial details of the acquisition, it confirmed that the deal is being financed through funds managed by Blackstone and Kings Park Capital.
François Riahi, the CEO of Banijay Group, highlighted that the acquisition aligns with their ongoing strategy, noting that the previous acquisition of Tipico has transformed the company into a significant player in the gaming sector across Europe. He expressed optimism that acquiring JOA would further establish Banijay as a leader in land-based gaming within key markets like France, alongside Germany and Austria.
Riahi welcomed the JOA teams into the Banijay Group, emphasizing the positive entrepreneurial environment that would support their growth and create additional value.
Laurent Lassiaz, chairman of JOA, expressed confidence in the partnership, stating that Banijay’s expertise in technology and digital innovation would enhance JOA’s ability to develop its omnichannel approach, while allowing them to maintain the entrepreneurial spirit that has been central to their success. Lassiaz will remain at the helm of JOA with the current management team to ensure stability for employees and stakeholders.
Lassiaz also discussed the resilience of France’s casino culture, explaining that local casinos serve as essential leisure destinations for residents, making them less susceptible to economic downturns. He cited H2 Gambling Capital data indicating that France's casino turnover was €32.2 billion in 2025, while retail betting figures reached €10.5 billion, slightly down from €11 billion in 2024.
Currently, iGaming is not regulated in France, and the combination of lobbying efforts from land-based establishments and political factors suggests that changes in policy are unlikely in the near future. Lassiaz believes that iGaming should not be viewed as a competitor to the existing casino business, as it can complement their offerings. He advocates for the introduction of online licenses linked to land-based operations as a beneficial avenue for the industry.
Last year marked a significant period for Banijay, as they also acquired Tipico in October and announced plans to integrate it with Betclic, positioning themselves as the fourth largest player in the European sports betting and gaming market. During a recent capital markets day, Riahi indicated that the group is exploring further mergers and acquisitions to solidify its leadership in core markets like France and Germany, although he noted that the integration of Tipico would wait until after the World Cup to ensure adequate preparations for upcoming enhancements and features.
This acquisition of JOA not only strengthens Banijay’s foothold in France but also illustrates a broader trend among European gaming giants as they increasingly focus on heavily regulated markets to drive growth and foster consolidation amidst regulatory challenges in less developed sectors.
