Banijay Gaming to acquire JOA casino group

Banijay Gaming has agreed to acquire French casino operator JOA, marking its first major move into the country’s land-based casino sector and expanding its omnichannel gaming strategy. The transaction will see Banijay Gaming purchase 100% of JOA from funds managed by Blackstone and Kings Park Capital, subject to regulatory approvals and employee consultation.

JOA operates 33 casinos across France, making it the country’s second-largest casino operator. The group generated approximately €430 million in gross gaming revenue in 2025 and serves more than 4.6 million customers annually. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The deal expands Banijay Gaming’s presence beyond online betting into France’s land-based casino market while strengthening its omnichannel strategy.

The acquisition follows Banijay Gaming’s completion of the Tipico Group acquisition earlier this year, further broadening its European gaming portfolio. The company said the addition of JOA will allow it to combine its expertise in technology, product development, customer relationship management, data and artificial intelligence with JOA’s nationwide casino network. The group also plans to create closer links between its online gaming activities in France and JOA’s physical venues.

Nicolas Béraud, Chairman of Banijay Gaming, said customer expectations are increasingly shifting toward seamless experiences across digital and physical channels. He added that the company intends to support JOA’s future development by contributing its technological capabilities while preserving the entrepreneurial culture and operational strengths that have shaped the casino operator’s business.

JOA Chairman Laurent Lassiaz will remain in charge of the company alongside the existing management team following completion of the transaction. Banijay Gaming said it intends to maintain JOA’s decentralized operating model and continue working with its local management teams while supporting future growth in France and international markets.

The acquisition will be financed through a combination of equity and debt. Completion is expected during the second half of 2026, subject to consultation with JOA’s employee representatives, merger control clearance, and approvals from the relevant casino gaming regulators.