Benin’s Casino Partouche Cotonou boosts West Africa’s gaming profile
International markets, including Africa, fuel strong growth for French casino group Groupe Partouche, highlighting the rising importance of premium land-based casinos outside Europe.
Benin.- Benin is emerging as a key hub for Africa’s land-based casinos as French group Groupe Partouche expands beyond Europe. The group’s gross gaming revenue for the third quarter of 2025 (Q3) rose 5.3 per cent year-on-year, following the opening of its first casino in West Africa, Casino Partouche Cotonou, a few months earlier.
Industry reporting highlighted the significance of this expansion. An IGB report said: “Groupe Partouche posted a 5.3 per cent year-on-year increase in gross gaming revenue during its Q3, helped by the addition of two more properties to its land-based casino portfolio.” The report added: “The operator noted the recent opening of a new casino in Benin in West Africa. Casino Partouche Cotonou commenced operations in January 2025.”
Located within the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel and Spa, Casino Partouche Cotonou features 31 slot machines and 10 table games, including roulette, blackjack and poker variants. The venue is designed as a luxury entertainment destination, catering to international visitors, business travellers and high-end players.
International markets drive strong revenue growth
While the Benin casino is just one element of Groupe Partouche’s international portfolio, the group’s results show growing contributions from markets outside France. International slot revenue rose 63 per cent year-on-year to €10.1m, while online gaming activity in Switzerland increased 19 per cent to €6.6m.
Groupe Partouche’s gross gaming revenue for the Q3 2025 reached €189m, up from €179.5m in the same period in 2024, supported by portfolio expansion across domestic and international operations.
France remained the group’s largest market, generating €169.1m in GGR, while international activities recorded a 5.6 per cent increase to €19.9m. For the first nine months of 2025, total revenue reached €550.5m (4.6 per cent), net gaming revenue rose to €269.1m (3.9 per cent) and consolidated turnover climbed to €347.8m, with €315.0m from casinos.
The launch of Casino Partouche Cotonou signals that Africa is emerging as a strategic market for premium land-based casinos, particularly in West Africa. With European markets increasingly saturated, operators are seeking growth through tourism-led, upscale developments. The Benin project positions the country as a gateway for further casino expansion on the continent, strengthening Africa’s role in the evolving global gaming landscape.
