France Approves Banijay Gaming’s Acquisition of 33 JOA Casinos
France.- 6 November 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The French Competition Authority has approved Banijay Gaming’s acquisition of JOA without conditions, allowing the owner of the Betclic betting brand to advance its expansion in the land-based casino market.
The decision, announced on 4 November 2026, concerns one of France’s leading casino operators, which manages 33 establishments across the country.
The transaction represents an important strategic development for Banijay Gaming as it seeks to strengthen its French operations through a combination of digital and land-based gambling activities.
Acquisition Cleared Without Conditions
Banijay Gaming formally notified the transaction to the French Competition Authority on 7 October 2026.
Following its assessment, the regulator concluded that the acquisition was unlikely to significantly restrict competition.
It therefore cleared the deal without requiring asset disposals or imposing additional conditions.
This represents the authority’s first review of a transaction combining online gambling activities with land-based casinos in France.
JOA Operates 33 Casinos Across France
JOA is one of the country’s leading land-based casino groups.
Its operations include:
- 33 casinos throughout France.
- Restaurants and bars within casino properties.
- Hotels and entertainment services.
- Gaming operations managed under public service concession agreements.
In 2025, JOA generated approximately €430 million in gross revenue, including its gaming and hospitality activities.
The group also welcomes more than 4.6 million visitors annually, highlighting its importance within France’s entertainment and tourism industries.
Online Poker Was the Main Competition Concern
Although Banijay Gaming operates in the digital gambling market through Betclic, its parent group was not previously active in France’s land-based casino sector.
Consequently, the Competition Authority identified no direct overlap between the companies’ activities.
However, the regulator examined whether the combined business could obtain competitive advantages by introducing commercial offers across digital and physical channels.
The assessment focused particularly on the relationship between online poker and poker played in land-based casinos.
Potential Omnichannel Strategies
The investigation, which included consultation with competitors and the French National Gambling Authority (ANJ), identified that some poker customers move between online platforms and physical casinos.
It also found that a younger casino customer base is contributing to greater convergence between these channels.
The regulator considered whether Banijay Gaming could develop bundled commercial offers targeting these customers.
Nevertheless, it concluded that the presence of significant competitors and poker’s relatively limited contribution to JOA’s overall casino business reduced the likelihood of competitive harm.
Online Casinos Remain Prohibited
Another important consideration was France’s regulatory framework for online casino gaming.
Online casino games remain prohibited in France, although potential legalisation has been discussed by industry stakeholders and lawmakers.
The Competition Authority considered this possibility too hypothetical to influence its assessment of the transaction.
It therefore evaluated the acquisition under the existing legal framework rather than assuming that online casino games would become legal.
Banijay Gaming Expands Its European Strategy
The JOA acquisition forms part of Banijay Gaming’s wider international expansion strategy.
The company agreed to purchase the casino group in July 2026 from funds managed by Blackstone and Kings Park Capital.
The transaction follows the acquisition of Tipico, completed in April 2026, which strengthened the group’s presence in Germany and Austria.
By acquiring JOA, Banijay Gaming aims to extend its diversified gambling business model into France.
The company will combine its online betting capabilities with a substantial land-based casino network.
Further Approvals Still Required
Although the transaction has received competition clearance, the acquisition has not yet been fully completed.
Banijay Gaming must still secure:
- Regulatory approvals relating to casino operations.
- Completion of consultation procedures with JOA employee representatives.
- The remaining administrative requirements necessary to close the transaction.
The company expects completion during the fourth quarter of 2026.
Antoine Jouteau currently serves as CEO of Banijay Gaming, while Laurent Lassiaz will remain Chairman of JOA.
Industry Impact and Next Steps
The approval represents an important milestone in Banijay Gaming’s strategy of integrating digital and land-based gambling operations.
The acquisition will add a network of 33 casinos to its commercial structure, significantly expanding its presence across France.
With approximately €430 million in annual gross revenue and more than 4.6 million visitors, JOA will strengthen Banijay Gaming’s French operations as the group develops a business combining online betting and physical casinos.
The next steps will involve securing the remaining regulatory approvals and completing the acquisition before the end of 2026.
Edited by: @fonta
