Laurent Lassiaz, CEO of Groupe Joa, discussed the French casino landscape and the relationship between physical venues and online gambling. The operator manages 33 locations across France, where the land-based sector remains established despite an unregulated iGaming market.
Operator Background and Market Position
Lassiaz entered the casino industry after a decade in hospitality management. He previously directed operations for KFC and Pizza Hut in France before joining Club Med to standardize guest services across international resorts. Groupe Joa currently ranks as the second-largest casino operator in the country.Physical Venues and Unregulated Online Market
The French land-based gambling market contains over 200 venues. Establishments range from locations with 20 slot machines and two table games to integrated resorts featuring 500 slots, 20 tables, and additional entertainment facilities. Lassiaz noted that casino operators primarily purchase gaming equipment and focus on designing the surrounding service environment to distinguish their venues.Online casino services remain unlegalized in France, with offshore operators capturing player activity. Studies place the annual value of the unregulated market at €1.5 billion. Lassiaz indicated that physical casinos continue to attract visitors through social and hospitality-driven experiences rather than direct competition with digital platforms.