Banijay's Major Bet on Future French iGaming Regulation
In a significant strategic maneuver, French media group Banijay has agreed to acquire Groupe JOA's network of 33 regional casinos. This Banijay iGaming Bet is seen by analysts as a long-term play on the eventual legalization of online casinos in France, a market where they are currently banned. The deal, expected to complete in late 2026, aims to build an omnichannel gambling business in a country with a substantial black market estimated at €1.5 billion annually.
Banijay, which already owns Betclic and acquired Tipico, is effectively purchasing a resilient, cash-generating land-based operation while securing a prime position for when the digital market opens. Experts believe this move could prove highly astute if future online licenses are tied to existing land-based operations, a model advocated by JOA's chairman, Laurent Lassiaz.
"The broader industry trend is the convergence of products and channels. Having a physical footprint can become an increasingly valuable competitive advantage for online operators."
Regulatory Landscape Shifts Across Europe
While Banijay anticipates future laws, regulators elsewhere in Europe are actively adjusting current frameworks. Germany, the UK, and Greece have all seen significant developments aimed at balancing market viability with player protection.
Germany Eases Online Slot Stake Limits
Germany’s gambling authority, the GGL, has officially increased the long-debated €1 per spin stake limit for online slots. This change, effective from July, is a direct response to industry calls for more competitive legal offerings to improve channelization. Operators can now apply for higher limits under strict conditions, a move celebrated by the industry as a “positive signal.”
The new rules for Germany online slots require operators to perform enhanced monitoring of player behavior if they implement the higher stakes. This development comes just before a major review of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling, which could bring further changes to rules on table games and deposit limits.
| Feature | Previous Regulation | New Regulation (July 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Default Stake Limit | €1.00 per spin | €1.00 per spin (remains default) |
| Increased Stake Options | None | Up to €3.00 or €5.00 per spin |
| Player Eligibility | All players | €3 Limit: Age 21+ €5 Limit: No problematic gambling in past 90 days |
| Operator Duty | Standard monitoring | Special monitoring of player behavior before and after increase |
Evolution Reaches £4.75m UKGC Settlement
In the UK, the saga between Evolution and the Gambling Commission has concluded. The Evolution UKGC settlement of £4.75 million ends an 18-month licence review that began in December 2024. The investigation concerned Evolution's content being available on six unlicensed websites targeting British consumers via two operators.
Evolution, which cooperated fully and terminated the operator relationships, stated the operators had actively evaded its restrictions. The supplier has since invested heavily in enhanced ring-fencing and geoblocking controls, a move that impacted its 2025 financial performance. The settlement resolves the issue, allowing the company to move forward with its focus on compliant market growth.
Greece Toughens Enforcement on Illegal Gambling
Greece is also cracking down on unlicensed activity with a sophisticated new strategy. A partnership between the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) and the telecom regulator (EETT) will implement faster, more effective DNS-based web-blocking. This proactive approach for tackling Greece illegal gambling involves monitoring new domain registrations and swiftly suspending those linked to unauthorized gambling, representing a significant upgrade from the previous blacklisting system.
Corporate Reshaping and Player Protection Trends
Beyond regulatory news, major corporate restructuring and player safety initiatives are shaping the industry's future.
IGT to Close ETG Division in 2027
International Game Technology (IGT) has confirmed it will shut down its IGT ETG division in 2027. This decision is part of a strategic refocus on core business priorities following its acquisition by Apollo Global Management. While the Electronic Table Games sector was growing, it faced challenges competing with the superior revenue-per-square-foot of traditional slot machines on casino floors.
Record Gamstop Self-Exclusions Reported
On the player safety front, UK's self-exclusion scheme Gamstop reported a record-breaking month in May 2026, with 12,236 new registrations. The H1 2026 period saw a 16% year-over-year increase in sign-ups, with the largest surge (26%) among people under 25. Officials warn that a further spike in Gamstop self-exclusion is likely following the conclusion of the World Cup, urging players to utilize the tool to manage their gambling habits.
Future Insights from WorldGaming and Softswiss
Looking ahead, WorldGaming has partnered with Softswiss for the fifth edition of the iGaming Trends Report, set for 2027. This collaboration will leverage data from leading brands like ICE and iGB to provide comprehensive forecasts on market evolution. The report, which has previously been downloaded over 32,000 times, is currently gathering data through an industry-wide survey.
