Tipico has appointed Mate Bacic as CEO effective 1 May 2026, promoting the decade-long company veteran following the completion of Banijay Group's acquisition.
Apr 24, 2026 · 5 min read
German sports betting and online gaming operator Tipico has appointed Mate Bacic as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 May 2026. The internal promotion follows the departure of Axel Hefer, who is leaving after successfully completing Tipico's acquisition by Banijay Group.
Bacic brings approximately a decade of experience within the Tipico organisation, making him a natural successor from within the company's ranks. His appointment represents continuity as Tipico transitions into its next growth phase under new ownership.
As Managing Director of Tipico Retail Services GmbH, Bacic was instrumental in building and restructuring the company's physical retail network, which now operates more than 1,250 shops across Germany and Austria. Most recently, he served as CEO of Atlas Group, where he successfully orchestrated the integration of ADMIRAL Austria into the Tipico Group.
Prior to joining Tipico, Bacic spent ten years in senior positions at Telefónica in Germany, bringing telecommunications industry experience to his gaming sector leadership role.
1,250+
Retail Shops Across Germany and Austria
10 years
Bacic's Experience at Tipico
10 years
Prior Experience at Telefónica Germany
3 years
Hefer's Tenure as CEO
The leadership transition comes as Tipico becomes Sporthilfe National Partner in athlete funding deal, described as a leading provider of sports betting and online gaming in Germany and market leader in Austria through ADMIRAL Austria, positions itself for further European growth under Banijay ownership.
"Ich freue mich sehr, Tipico in dieser entscheidenden Phase zu führen. Wir haben eine starke Marke, ein hochengagiertes Team und verlässliche Partner an unserer Seite. Gemeinsam mit Banijay werden wir Innovationen beschleunigen, in Technologie investieren und neue Maßstäbe im Service setzen."
— Mate Bacic, incoming CEO of Tipico Group
Bacic emphasised the company's commitment to delivering superior experiences both online and across its extensive retail footprint, while acknowledging Hefer's contributions to positioning Tipico for future success.
German Gaming Market Context
The German gaming market underwent major regulatory changes with the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021), creating new opportunities for licensed operators. Tipico's extensive retail network provides a significant competitive advantage in reaching customers who prefer physical betting locations, particularly important in markets where online advertising restrictions limit digital customer acquisition.
Hefer joined Tipico approximately three years ago with a specific mandate to prepare the group for international growth and eventual sale. Under his leadership, several pivotal transactions reshaped the company's structure and market position.
Key achievements during Hefer's tenure included divesting the US business, acquiring Austrian market leader ADMIRAL Group, and completing the merger with Banijay. These moves transformed Tipico from a primarily German-focused operator into a European sports betting and gaming champion.
"Ich bin vor knapp drei Jahren mit einem klaren Ziel zur Tipico Gruppe gekommen: Die Weichen für zukünftiges internationales Wachstum zu stellen. Mit dem Verkauf an die Banijay Gruppe ist meine Arbeit erfolgreich abgeschlossen."
— Axel Hefer, outgoing CEO of Tipico Group
The appointment has garnered support from key stakeholders across Tipico's investor and partner network. Nicolas Béraud, founder of Betclic and Chairman of Banijay Gaming, expressed confidence in Bacic's ability to contribute to building a major European platform.
"Im Zusammenhang mit dem Abschluss der Übernahme der Tipico Gruppe durch Banijay Gaming bin ich davon überzeugt, dass Mate mit seiner umfassenden Branchenerfahrung, seiner fundierten Kenntnis der Tipico Gruppe und seiner Führungsstärke maßgeblich zum Aufbau einer großen, europäischen Plattform beitragen wird."
— Nicolas Béraud, Founder of Betclic and Chairman of Banijay Gaming
Daniel Pindur, Managing Partner and Co-Head of CVC DACH, highlighted the strength of Tipico's internal talent development, noting Bacic's operational experience and strategic vision as ideal qualifications for the role.
"Es spricht für die Stärke und die kontinuierliche Weiterentwicklung von Tipico, dass wir für diese neue Phase mit Mate Bacic auf eine Führungspersönlichkeit aus den eigenen Reihen setzen können, die das Unternehmen seit vielen Jahren maßgeblich mitgeprägt hat."
— Daniel Pindur, Managing Partner and Co-Head of CVC DACH
The CEO transition reflects broader trends in European gaming market consolidation, where successful acquisitions often retain experienced internal leadership to maintain operational continuity. Bacic's decade-long tenure provides institutional knowledge crucial for navigating regulatory complexities across German and Austrian markets.
His background managing both retail infrastructure and corporate integration positions him strategically for balancing Tipico's omnichannel approach while leveraging Banijay's broader entertainment industry resources. The timing suggests confidence that the acquisition's operational integration phase can proceed smoothly under familiar leadership.
For operators observing European market dynamics, this appointment signals continued professionalisation of gaming leadership, prioritising operational expertise over external recruitment during critical growth phases.
M&A Integration Best Practices
Successful gaming acquisitions typically retain key operational leaders for 12-18 months post-closure to ensure regulatory compliance continuity. Internal CEO appointments during ownership transitions reduce execution risk, as new leadership already understands local licensing requirements, customer preferences, and staff capabilities across multiple jurisdictions.
According to Tipico Group.
Written by
Maryna ShevchukContent Partnership Manager
Maryna has been part of the We–Right™ Factory team since 2018, working directly with operators, affiliates, and agencies on content planning and delivery. Her background in copywriting gives her a hands-on understanding of iGaming briefs, regulatory nuances, and market-specific requirements. On the blog, Maryna covers client-side content operations and B2B collaboration patterns in the iGaming industry.
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