Groupe Partouche launches crypto-for-chips rollout across 40 French casinos

Groupe Partouche will enable customers to convert cryptocurrencies into gaming chips across its network of 40 casinos throughout France, with a rollout during the remainder of 2026 and full application across the French network targeted by 2027. The exchange service will be operated by French payments and fintech company Lyzi, following trials at three Partouche venues as part of a four-year project that began in 2022.

How the service works

Lyzi will accept transfers from either custodial exchange accounts or self-hosted wallets and process them via stablecoins. Transactions are expected to be routed through the conversion of transfers using USDC and EURC stablecoins allowed by Lyzi; Lyzi will convert the stablecoins into euros before Partouche issues the corresponding value into gaming chips or credits transferred into customer accounts. Partouche emphasised that none of its casinos will hold cryptocurrency or accept wagers denominated in digital currency.

Regulatory and compliance framework

Partouche said it delayed a full rollout while European and French authorities developed a more settled regulatory framework for cryptoasset services. The programme is designed to meet France’s Code Monétaire requirements on preventative measures for anti-money laundering and to align with national measures implementing the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). Cryptocurrency transfers will be subject to identity checks, wallet-ownership verification, source-of-funds checks and anti-money-laundering controls. Lyzi states that transactions exceeding certain thresholds may require enhanced identity verification.

Background and quotes

Maurice Schulmann, Partouche’s Chief Director of Transformation, Technology, Data and AI, said the group had been developing the proposition since 2022 and recounted the project’s early trials at three casinos. He said:

"Any player visiting one of our casinos can now pay for their chips in crypto. This is the result of a long-term project dating back to 2022, when the first trials were conducted at three of our establishments—and it has not been a smooth journey."

Schulmann added that Partouche’s status as a public-service concessionaire required controls comparable to existing casino payment and customer fund safeguards. The group expects the clarified regulatory regime will provide the legal certainty needed to expand the service, supported by licensed payment and cryptoasset providers.

For payments teams assessing the model, the programme links on-site conversion to euro settlement through stablecoins, and keeps wagering denominated in euros rather than digital assets. Relevant reading on the technology and market can be found in our payments and regulation coverage.