Banijay Gaming has acquired the JOA network, comprising 33 regional casinos across France. The transaction is scheduled to finalize in the second half of the year following regulatory approvals.
Banijay Entertainment, which owns Tipico and Betclic, will fund the purchase through Blackstone and Kings Park Capital. Group CEO François Riahi stated the move aligns with the company's evolution into a diversified omnichannel leader. He noted that the acquisition positions Banijay as a leader in land-based gaming within France, similar to its status in Germany and Austria.
JOA Chairman Laurent Lassiaz will remain in his role alongside the existing management team. Lassiaz highlighted that Banijay’s digital expertise supports the network's omnichannel development while preserving its local roots. He emphasized that French casinos function as local leisure destinations, making the sector resilient to economic fluctuations.
Market Overview and Regulation
Data from H2 Gambling Capital indicates France’s casino turnover reached €32.2 billion in 2025, with retail betting totaling €10.5 billion. Online gaming remains unregulated in the country, with no policy changes anticipated in the near term due to lobbying and political factors. Lassiaz suggested that tethering online licenses to land-based operations could benefit the industry.