In a September 24, 2026 notice concerning the proposed Lottomatica-CIRSA merger, the Council classified the transaction as a proposed economic concentration involving the absorption of CIRSA by Lottomatica. The deal falls within the sector covering games of chance and casino leisure<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The official notice reads: \u201cThe Competition Council has received notification of a proposed economic concentration concerning the merger by absorption<\/strong> of Cirsa Enterprises, S.A. by Lottomatica Group S.p.A., with the latter being the absorbing company.\u201d Interested third parties have 10 days from publication of the notice to submit observations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The notice adds: \u201cIn Morocco, this company controls three subsidiaries that operate casinos, namely the \u2018Casino de Tanger\u2019 in Tangier, the \u2018Casino Atlantic\u2019 and the \u2018Casino Le Mirage\u2019 in Agadir.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The three casinos named in the notice are operated through CIRSA subsidiaries, while CIRSA\u2019s broader Moroccan portfolio also includes its 50 per cent stake in Grand Casino La Mamounia in Marrakech. These interests cover four of Morocco\u2019s seven casinos<\/a>, including two in Agadir, one in Tangier and one in Marrakech.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond Morocco, CIRSA has interests across the gambling sector<\/strong>, covering casinos, bingo, gaming machines and sports betting, as well as the design, manufacture and distribution of gaming machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lottomatica is an Italian company listed on Euronext Milan and, according to the Competition Council filing, operates gambling and betting services exclusively in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The proposed merger was announced on September 2, with Lottomatica set to absorb CIRSA. The transaction is expected to become effective in the second quarter of 2027<\/strong>, subject to shareholder approvals, regulatory clearances and other conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Competition Council has stressed that the information contained in the non-confidential summary was provided by the notifying parties, which are solely responsible for it. The Council said any inaccuracies do not prejudge its position on the proposed transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It also said publication of the notice does not attest to the completeness of the filing required under Morocco\u2019s competition framework.<\/p>\n\n\nMerger enters regulatory review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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