Brussels Casino: the licence hangs in the balance 

The Brussels casino licence, awarded to Napoleon Games for fifteen years from 2027, faces a serious legal hurdle. Following a referral by Viage, the State Council’s auditor has recommended suspending the City of Brussels’ decision, with just 3.28 points separating the two bidders. 

A €750 million contract now in doubt 

The future of the Brussels casino could be decided before the Council of State. The City had selected ECK NV, the company behind Napoleon Games, to operate the venue for fifteen years from 1 January 2027. However, this award is now being challenged by Viage, the current operator. 

The financial stakes are considerable. The total value of the concession is estimated by the City of Brussels at 750 million euros (excluding VAT) over fifteen years. 

Six bidders took part in the tender process. Following the evaluation, Napoleon Games emerged as the winner with 91.02 points out of 100, compared with 87.74 points for Viage. With a margin of just 3.28 points, the criteria used to distinguish between the two bids take on particular significance. 

Why is the auditor questioning the award? 

Viage’s appeal centres, in particular, on the way in which the tenders were assessed and the marks awarded. The company considers that the City did not provide sufficient justification for certain marks. The auditor from the Council of State is reported to have upheld three of the four grounds put forward by Viage. 

However, the case is not limited to the issue of justifying the scores. Certain elements used during the evaluation are also reportedly being contested on factual grounds.  

One aspect concerning the vision presented by Viage is attracting particular attention. During the evaluation, its project was reportedly criticised for planning to open the casino for only nine months. However, this assertion is said not to correspond to the actual content of Viage’s bid. This point was nevertheless reportedly taken into account in the scoring. In such a close-run procedure, the question of whether this may have influenced the outcome therefore becomes central. 

A procedure subject to European obligations 

The financial significance of the contract reinforces the requirements surrounding its award. With a concession valued at 750 million euros excluding VAT, the procedure far exceeds the threshold requiring European-wide advertising. 

In particular, the call for tenders was required to be published in the Bulletin des Adjudications and in the Official Journal of the European Union. The procedure was therefore required to comply with both the Belgian rules applicable to concession contracts and the corresponding European obligations. 

The auditor recommends a suspension 

Following an examination of the appeal, the auditor of the Council of State recommends suspending the decision awarding the concession to Napoleon Games. 

The auditor’s opinion is not binding. It is now up to the Council of State to decide. At this stage, Napoleon Games therefore remains the successful bidder selected by the City of Brussels. The new concession is still due to commence on 1 January 2027, unless a decision is taken to change the situation. 

Viage is attempting to retain the casino it has been operating since 2010 

Viage is no newcomer to this matter. The company has been operating the Grand Casino Brussels, located within the Galeries Anspach complex on Boulevard Anspach, since 2010. 

Brussels is one of the municipalities authorised to host a Class I casino. Its establishment is one of the nine land-based casinos provided for under Belgian legislation. 

Having finished second in the new tender process, Viage therefore risked losing a business it has been running for several years. Its appeal to the Council of State now allows it to challenge the process before the new licence comes into force. 

Napoleon Games had big ambitions in Brussels 

For Napoleon Games, securing the Brussels licence was also a major undertaking. ECK NV already operates the Knokke-Heist casino and is part of the Napoleon Games group, which has itself been part of the Superbet group since 2021. The takeover of the Brussels casino was intended to strengthen its presence in the Belgian land-based casino sector. 

Moreover, the project was not limited to the gaming halls. The group also planned to relocate its headquarters and certain facilities to Brussels, bringing economic and fiscal benefits to the Region. 

The realisation of these projects now depends on the outcome of the legal dispute. 

Will Viage regain the licence in the event of a suspension? 

Not necessarily. Even if the Council of State follows the advice of its auditor, a suspension of the decision would not automatically mean that Viage would become the new licence holder.