Julien Brun Named Betclic Group CEO in Leadership Shift

Betclic Group has appointed Julien Brun as Chief Executive Officer, marking a leadership transition at one of France’s largest online betting operators.

Brun, who joined Betclic in July 2017 as Chief Commercial Officer and later served as Chief Operating Officer from 2021, succeeds founder Nicolas Beraud. The appointment comes during a period of strategic expansion for Betclic’s parent company, Banijay Group.

“After seven incredible years working alongside our Founder Nicolas Beraud, and serving as COO of Betclic, I am honoured to step into the role of CEO of Betclic Group,” Brun stated. “This new role marks the opening of a new chapter in Betclic’s development. Our ambition is clear: to accelerate our growth through innovation, expansion into new opportunities, and a continued focus on delivering remarkable product experiences to our users.”

Strategic Context and Market Position

The leadership change occurs alongside significant corporate developments at Banijay Group. In October 2024, Banijay reached an agreement with CVC Capital Partners to acquire a 65% majority stake in Tipico Group, operator of Germany’s market-leading bookmaker Tipico Sportwetten.

The transaction positions Betclic and Tipico as a combined force in continental European betting, with substantial market presence in France and Germany, two of the EU’s largest gambling markets. To facilitate the Tipico acquisition, Banijay divested its 53.9% controlling stake in bet-at-home AG.

Betclic competes in the French market alongside operators including FDJ United, PMU, and ZEturf. The competitive landscape is expected to intensify further, with Bet365 reportedly planning a French market entry in 2026.

Regulatory and Tax Environment

Brun assumes the CEO role as French operators navigate recent tax increases implemented in July 2024. The French government raised the duty on gross gaming revenue from online sports betting from 54.9% to 59.3%, while poker stakes duty increased from 0.2% to 10%.

The tax hikes drew widespread criticism from the French online betting sector, though the government has maintained its position due to the significant revenue generated by the new rates.

France’s regulated market also faces ongoing challenges from illegal operators. Recent figures showed the number of French gamblers using unlicensed sites rose 35% to 5.4 million over a two-year period. Meanwhile, the introduction of a regulated online casino market remains under discussion among French policymakers.

Leadership Background

Prior to joining Betclic, Brun spent eight years with Kindred Group, gaining extensive experience in European iGaming markets. His tenure at Betclic has spanned seven years across commercial and operational leadership roles.

“I am excited to keep growing Betclic, to further strengthen our product and technology leadership, and to continue building a culture driven by impact, responsibility, and excellence,” Brun stated.

Betclic Group operates licensed betting services across multiple European jurisdictions and holds regulatory approvals from France’s gambling regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux.

Source: Betclic Group