France’s Autorité de la concurrence has cleared Banijay Gaming’s acquisition of casino operator Joa without imposing conditions. The transaction, agreed in July, will add 33 casinos to Banijay’s gambling portfolio, which includes online betting operator Betclic and the Tipico business.
The competition authority examined whether the combination of online and land-based operations could create advantages that might disadvantage competitors. It concluded that the transaction was unlikely to restrict competition. The deal involves Joa, which was being acquired from funds managed by Blackstone and Kings Park Capital.
Omnichannel strategy
The acquisition strengthens Banijay’s presence in French land-based gaming and adds scale to its existing online operations. For suppliers and affiliates, the transaction is relevant as a consolidation move that brings retail casino assets and digital gambling brands under a broader group. Regulatory clearance removes one major condition, but completion still depends on the remaining transaction steps.