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Brussels: Viage remains in charge of the casino
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2 Nov 2026 •
Reading time: 5 minutes
The Brussels casino will continue operating under Viage until June 30, 2027. This exceptional six-month extension, agreed with the City of Brussels on October 29, 2026, temporarily safeguards 286 jobs.
Napoleon Games welcomes Viage’s extension
There has been an unexpected development in the Brussels casino concession dispute. Although Napoleon Games was initially expected to take over the venue’s operations on January 1, 2027, the Belgian group has welcomed the decision to keep its competitor Viage in charge for another six months.
This response is largely explained by concerns over employment. For several weeks, casino employees had faced uncertainty about their professional future.
Philippe Joos, CEO of Napoleon Games, expressed his satisfaction with the casino’s continued operations and the temporary protection of jobs. However, the company, which has operated in Belgium for more than 40 years and employs several hundred people, still hopes to become the next operator of the Brussels casino.
Six months of breathing space for 286 employees
The current concession, held by Casinos Austria International, was due to expire on December 31, 2026. However, the suspension of the concession award procedure prevented the new operator from taking over within the originally planned timeframe.
Without an agreement between the City of Brussels and Viage, the casino risked having to suspend its operations at the beginning of 2027. This prospect directly concerned the venue’s 286 employees.
On September 15, approximately 80 staff members demonstrated outside the Brucity administrative centre, demanding greater guarantees regarding their jobs.
In September, Viage had nevertheless rejected the idea of simply extending its concession. At the time, the operator argued that such a solution would not resolve the problems identified in the selection procedure.
The need to protect jobs ultimately contributed to a change in its position.
The agreement reached on October 29 therefore provides for operations to continue until June 30, 2027, inclusive, under the terms of the existing concession, subject to the necessary formalities.
Why did the Council of State block the concession?
On July 17, the City of Brussels selected ECK, a company linked to Napoleon Games, to operate the casino for fifteen years. Five bids had been examined. Viage finished second, narrowly behind the selected candidate. Disputing the way the applications had been evaluated, Casinos Austria International subsequently lodged an appeal with the Council of State.
On August 31, 2026, the administrative court suspended the award of the concession.
Several issues were identified, particularly concerning the justification of the evaluations, the application of the selection criteria and the assessment of certain event partnerships presented by ECK.
Shortcomings relating to European obligations concerning foreign subsidies were also among the matters examined.
An extension worth €2.3 million
Under the current concession terms, the fee amounts to €2.3 million over six months. By comparison, the amount proposed under the future concession reaches €5 million per six-month period. The difference is therefore significant for municipal finances.
The overall contract is estimated to be worth €750 million over fifteen years, highlighting the economic importance of the concession award procedure.
For Viage, continuing operations also creates organisational challenges. Its spokesperson, Sihame Makrache, specifically mentioned the need to quickly renegotiate or extend contracts with 497 suppliers, sometimes under less favourable conditions.
Furthermore, the agreement in principle must still be formalised to allow the necessary regulatory procedures to be completed with the Belgian Gaming Commission.
Viage has notably indicated that it must meet a November 10, 2026 deadline for its licence application.
Viage and Napoleon Games still want the concession
Despite agreeing on the need to ensure the casino continues operating, Viage and Napoleon Games are still pursuing their respective bids.
Viage is calling for a fresh evaluation of the proposals, involving experts from the gambling industry.
For its part, Napoleon Games remains confident in the potential of its project for Brussels. Philippe Joos believes the additional period could allow for a more thorough examination of the different applications.
Several options remain open to the City of Brussels: provide further justification for its initial decision, reassess the bids or launch a new concession award procedure.
However, the last option could prolong the uncertainty and delay the final appointment of the future concession holder.
European Commission’s assessment still pending
The procedure does not depend solely on decisions by the municipal authorities and the Council of State. The European Commission must also examine certain aspects relating to the rules governing foreign subsidies.
Additional information concerning the financing of certain candidates was reportedly requested as part of this review.
Initially scheduled for October 28, the deadline for the European Commission’s opinion has been postponed to November 15, 2026.
Alderwoman Nawal Ben Hamou, who has taken over responsibility for the case, has not publicly specified how many candidates are still subject to these checks.
Judicial investigation adds a political dimension
The Brussels casino dispute also extends beyond economic considerations.
Mayor Philippe Close has been questioned about his position as a board member of RSC Anderlecht football club, which is sponsored by Napoleon Games.
This situation has led to allegations of a potential conflict of interest, which the mayor disputes.
However, it is important to distinguish this investigation from the administrative proceedings before the Council of State.
The opening of a judicial investigation does not constitute proof of an offence and does not prejudge any criminal liability.