Merkur Group Expands European Footprint with Latest Acquisition
German gaming conglomerate Merkur Group, operating through its subsidiary Merkur Spielbanken Beteiligungs GmbH, has entered into an agreement to acquire a 95 percent majority stake in Casigrangi, the holding company of French casino operator Le Stelsia. The strategic transaction marks the company’s initial entry into the French land-based casino market and encompasses seven casino venues located across the country.
Under the terms of the agreement, Merkur Group acquires the majority interest from GPG Groupe Philippe Ginestet and DOFA. The asset portfolio includes three properties operated directly by Casigrangi in Megève, Granville, and Mimizan. In addition, Casigrangi holds an interest in the publicly listed operator Société Française de Casinos, which manages four additional gaming venues in Gruissan, Port-la-Nouvelle, Collioure, and Châtel-Guyon.
The acquisition, valued at approximately €31.5 million, takes place amid a broader period of consolidation within the French gambling sector. The move follows similar recent corporate consolidation activities, such as Novomatic’s expansion into the market via Vikings Casinos and Banijay Gaming’s acquisition of the JOA casino group. For Merkur Group, which generated €2.1 billion in revenue during the 2025 financial year, entering France reinforces its long-term strategy of expanding international venue operations alongside existing markets in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain.
While the deal provides Merkur Group with an established foothold in a major European country, operating within France presents notable operational requirements. Success will depend on the smooth integration of regional properties, adherence to strict national regulatory frameworks, and effective adaptation to local customer preferences across diverse regional markets.
