Banijay Group has completed its acquisition of Tipico Group, creating a larger sports betting and online gaming division built around Betclic, Tipico and Admiral. The deal places the entertainment group deeper into Europe’s regulated gambling market and gives its Banijay Gaming unit leading positions across Germany, France, Portugal, Austria, Poland and Côte d’Ivoire.

The transaction follows the agreement first announced in October 2025, when Banijay confirmed plans to acquire a majority stake in Tipico. With completion now finalized, the group says Banijay Gaming ranks as the fourth-largest European sports betting and gaming operator by revenue and holds the leading position in sports betting across Continental Europe.

Banijay, best known globally for television and entertainment production, described the transaction as a major step in its wider entertainment strategy. The company said the enlarged gaming business brings together brands with complementary strengths, combining Betclic’s digital platform, customer relationship capabilities and proprietary poker product with Tipico’s automatic trading technology and omnichannel operations.

New Structure Brings Betclic and Tipico Together

Under the new governance model, Nicolas Béraud, founder of Betclic and former Betclic CEO, becomes chairman of the board of Banijay Gaming. Lov Group Invest remains president, while Joachim Baca, former chairman and CEO of Tipico, becomes vice-chairman of the board.

Julien Brun, previously chief operating officer, takes over as CEO of Betclic. Mate Bacic becomes CEO of Tipico, after previously serving as CEO of Tipico Austria and Admiral Austria. Before that, Bacic was Tipico’s chief operating officer and played a role in the company’s retail network, which now includes more than 1,250 shops in Germany and Austria.

“With this combination, Banijay Gaming becomes a truly scaled European platform, with enhanced diversification and increased exposure to large, fully regulated markets,” said Béraud in the company’s press release reported by GlobeNewswire. “By bringing together our shared DNA and technologies, trading expertise and customer platforms, we will accelerate product innovation, enhance our omnichannel offering and deliver a more seamless and engaging experience to our players. Our priority now is to unlock the full potential of this combination to drive growth across all our markets.”

Financial Targets Include €100 Million in Synergies

Banijay said Tipico’s acquisition is expected to double Banijay Gaming’s revenue, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted free cash flow. On a pro forma basis for 2025, Banijay Gaming would have generated €3.1 billion in revenue, €0.9 billion in adjusted EBITDA and €0.7 billion in adjusted free cash flow.

The group expects the transaction to deliver around €100 million in synergies over the mid-term. That figure includes about €70 million in operational efficiencies and around €30 million in capital expenditure efficiencies. Banijay said implementation is expected to take place progressively after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On a broader group level, Banijay said its 2025 pro forma results, including the combination with All3Media, would have reached €7.4 billion in revenue, €1.6 billion in adjusted EBITDA and €1.2 billion in adjusted free cash flow.

At closing, Banijay Group owns 65% of Banijay Gaming. The remaining shares are held alongside the founders of Betclic and Tipico, as well as CVC. Banijay said it intends to increase its stake over the coming years to at least 72% through call options agreed on shares held by CVC and Tipico managers. The founders of both Betclic and Tipico have rolled over their shares into Banijay Gaming.

The completion also brings a leadership change at Tipico. Axel Hefer is leaving the business at his own request following the transaction, with Bacic taking over the CEO role.

“I am very pleased to lead Tipico through this crucial phase,” said Bacic. “We have a strong brand, a highly dedicated team, and reliable partners at our side. Together with Banijay, we will accelerate innovation, invest in technology, and set new standards in service. We want to offer sports betting fans the best and safest experience – online as well as in our more than 1,250 shops. I would also like to thank Axel for his trustworthy collaboration and his significant contribution to Tipico’s excellent positioning for the future.”

Hefer said: “I joined the Tipico Group almost three years ago with a clear goal: to set the course for future international growth. With the sale to the Banijay Group, my work has been successfully completed. I am convinced that with Mate Bacic at the helm and as part of Banijay Gaming, the company is excellently positioned for the future. I wish Mate and the entire team every success for the years to come. At the same time, I thank all my colleagues for their trust and excellent cooperation.”

The acquisition gives Banijay Gaming a much larger regulated-market footprint and a stronger mix of retail, online and omnichannel betting operations. The company will now focus on integrating the combined business and delivering the projected efficiencies across its expanded European platform.