Banijay’s gambling operations drive strong Q1 growth
Gambling operations were the standout segment in terms of growth.
France.- The Amsterdam-listed media and gambling company Banijay Group has posted solid first-quarter results for 2026, following the recent merger of Betclic and Tipico. The company reported group revenue of €1.15bn, a 9 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
Adjusted EBITDA rose 5.4 per cent to €196.6m, while adjusted net income climbed 18.1 per cent to €56.9m.
Gambling operations were the standout segment in terms of growth. While Banijay’s entertainment division delivered €714.5m in revenue, up 4.5 per cent, revenue from the newly consolidated Banijay Gaming division rose 14.4 per cent to €326m.
The company credited sustained customer engagement for the rise, though it noted that adverse results in football tempered gains. Casino, poker, and turf betting revenue jumped 27 per cent, driven by the launch of a new online poker platform in France and an online casino in Côte d’Ivoire in early 2025.
Chief Executive François Riahi said: “We are enjoying a solid start to 2026, supported by strong momentum across our sports betting, gaming and live activities, as we look ahead to a year marked by major sporting events, important strategic developments and transformative M&A.”
Banijay completed its acquisition of Malta-based Tipico, Germany’s largest betting operator, last month, making it now one of Europe’s biggest gambling groups alongside Flutter, Entain, FDJ United and Allwyn. The purchase was partly financed by the sale of its majority stake in bet-at-home in January.
The expansion into Germany provides diversification while the company’s domestic operation in France continues to feel the impact of the rise in gambling tax rates. Despite this burden, Banijay sees growth potential, particularly if regulators eventually approve online casino operations in France.
Riahi pointed to innovation and a 20 per cent rise in unique active players as “the key commercial KPI,” saying this demonstrated the “strength of our product and customer proposition” ahead of the FIFA World Cup.”
Banijay’s outlook for 2026
Beyond betting, Banijay continues to expand its entertainment footprint. Known for producing shows such as Big Brother and Peaky Blinders, the company is pursuing further M&A in this division.
Riahi confirmed that Banijay is progressing towards a merger with All3Media, expected in summer 2026. “Together, these transactions will significantly strengthen our scale, international footprint and IP capabilities across content, live experiences and sports betting and gaming,” he said.
Banijay expects adjusted EBITDA growth in the mid-to-high single-digit range by year-end, excluding the impact of France’s betting tax increases.
