France’s Autorité de la concurrence has cleared Banijay Gaming’s acquisition of casino operator Joa without conditions. Joa operates 33 casinos in France. The authority said the transaction was the first it had reviewed that would create a French operator active in both online gambling and land-based casinos.
Poker was the main overlap
The review focused on whether the combined group could use cross-channel offers to disadvantage competitors. Poker was identified as the principal area of potential overlap because players may move between online platforms and casino venues. The authority consulted competitors and the national gambling regulator, ANJ, before concluding that the parties’ positions and the limited contribution of poker to Joa’s casino business meant the deal was unlikely to harm competition.
Strategic significance
The decision removes a competition-law condition from the proposed transaction, although completion remains subject to the deal’s other requirements. It also illustrates how regulators are assessing omnichannel strategies even while online casino games remain prohibited in France. Operators and affiliates should distinguish this approval from any change in the country’s underlying product rules.