Groupe JOA

History & Development

Groupe JOA traces its roots to 1948 when the company was founded under the name Moliflor. Over decades, it built a presence in the French land-based casino market, eventually becoming the country’s second-largest operator. A major turning point came in May 2007 when Laurent Lassiaz was appointed Chief Executive Officer. Lassiaz, previously Operations Director at KFC and Pizza Hut and later a senior executive at Club Med, brought a strong hospitality and customer-experience focus. Under his leadership, JOA more than doubled its size, expanding from a smaller portfolio to 33 casinos across France.

Ownership & Financial Backing

In the 2010s, JOA was owned by Alchemy Partners, which sold the group to Blackstone and Kings Park Capital. In July 2026, Banijay Gaming (a division of Banijay Group) announced it had committed to acquire JOA from those funds, with completion subject to regulatory approvals. The deal is part of Banijay’s strategy to build a European diversified gaming leader, following its earlier acquisition of Tipico Group.

Products & Services

JOA’s core offering is its network of Casino JOA-branded entertainment complexes. Each venue provides slot machines (the primary revenue driver, representing 75–82% of GGR), electronic table games, and live dealer tables for poker, blackjack, and roulette. Integrated hospitality and leisure features such as restaurants, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, and bowling alleys are designed to create a social “gambletainment” environment. In December 2024, JOA partnered with Lyzi to allow customers to convert cryptocurrency into euros for play, a first for French casinos. Following the Banijay Gaming acquisition, JOA plans to combine its land-based network with Banijay’s digital and technology expertise (including AI and data analytics) to offer seamless online-to-offline experiences.

Market Position

With 33 casinos and ~€430 million in annual gross revenue, JOA is the second-largest casino operator in France. The French land-based market comprises just over 200 casinos, generating around €2.8 billion in GGR, with slots accounting for the vast majority of revenue. JOA differentiates itself through the “gambletainment” philosophy, emphasizing social experiences, entertainment, and community engagement to drive footfall and loyalty.

Licensing & Regulation

JOA operates under strict French gambling regulations. All casinos must be licensed by the Ministry of the Interior and comply with AFJEL rules for land-based operations. The group is also subject to anti-money laundering and responsible-gaming obligations.

Recent Developments

In 2024, JOA launched cryptocurrency payment acceptance with Lyzi. In 2025, the group generated approximately €430 million in gross revenues. In July 2026, Banijay Gaming agreed to acquire JOA from Blackstone and Kings Park Capital, with Laurent Lassiaz becoming Chairman of JOA while continuing to lead the management team.