Banijay Entertainment, the parent company of Tipico and Betclic, has acquired JOA’s 33 regional casinos across France as part of a strategic move to enhance its omnichannel capabilities. This transaction is expected to finalize in the latter half of this year, pending consultations with JOA's employee representatives and the necessary regulatory approvals, including those specific to merger control and casino gaming.
While the financial specifics of the deal were not disclosed, Banijay indicated that the acquisition will be financed with the support of funds managed by Blackstone and Kings Park Capital.
François Riahi, the CEO of Banijay Group, cited the previous acquisition of Tipico as a transformative step, stating it turned the company into "a diversified omnichannel European leader in gaming." Riahi emphasized the importance of the JOA acquisition in expanding their leadership in land-based gaming in a key market like France, much like their established positions in Germany and Austria.
"We welcome the JOA teams to Banijay Group, where they will find a supportive entrepreneurial environment to foster their growth and add value," Riahi expressed, also noting the expansion of their presence and operations throughout France.
JOA's chairman, Laurent Lassiaz, stated that Banijay's strengths in technology and digital innovation would enhance JOA's development in the omnichannel sector while maintaining its entrepreneurial spirit and local ties. Lassiaz will continue to manage JOA along with the existing leadership to ensure a seamless transition for employees, customers, and community partners.
Lassiaz has previously remarked on the resilience of France’s casino culture, pointing out that, as local entertainment venues, these casinos are less impacted by external factors like rising fuel costs. He referred to casinos as integral local leisure options, which underscores their stability even in challenging economic climates.
Data from H2 Gambling Capital revealed that France’s casino revenue reached €32.2 billion in 2025, with retail betting slightly declining to €10.5 billion from €11 billion in 2024.
Currently, iGaming remains unregulated in France, with challenges from the land-based sector and political uncertainty likely delaying any policy changes. Despite this, Lassiaz believes that iGaming does not threaten the robust casino market. He advocates that creating online licenses connected to land-based operations could open new opportunities and enhance their offerings.
Banijay’s acquisition of JOA marks the second major purchase in less than a year, following the acquisition of Tipico in October. The firm also plans to consolidate Tipico with its Betclic operations to establish itself as one of the top four sports betting and gaming entities in Europe.
