750 million for the Grand Casino de Bruxelles
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23 Jan 2026 •
Reading time: 2 minutes The Brussels Region is preparing to launch an exceptional call for tenders for a concession for the Grand Casino de Bruxelles, estimated at €750 million, designed to redefine the operation of the country’s main casino.
A historic invitation to tender for an extraordinary concession
The press has announced that the Brussels Region is preparing an unprecedented call for tenders to select the operator who will run the Brussels casino for an extended period, up to 15 years, under a concession worth €750 million. The concession is conceived as a global contract: it aims to guarantee the sustainability of the operation, the modernisation of the facilities and the attraction of visitors, while maximising the tax benefits for the local authorities.
The Grand Casino de Bruxelles was inaugurated in 2010 and has quickly established itself as a pillar of Brussels entertainment, with its gaming tables and slot machines, as well as its bars, restaurants and event spaces. Its presence in the city centre, on boulevard Anspach, contributes to the attractiveness of the district. Since its opening, it has attracted not only gamblers, but also visitors interested in evening shows, cultural events and unique gastronomic experiences. It is also associated with the Betano online casino, managed by CAIB.
The social and economic issues behind the concession
The debate surrounding the future of the casino goes beyond the purely commercial. The casino provides many direct jobs and has an indirect impact on the local economy, particularly in the hotel, restaurant and cultural services sectors. Its disappearance or a radical change of model could have considerable social effects. The Brussels authorities therefore have to juggle a number of imperatives: encouraging investment, preserving existing jobs, revitalising a central district of Brussels and meeting the expectations of its citizens.
For economic and urban players, this concession project could be an opportunity to revitalise the city centre. The selected operator will be tasked with renewing the casino’s appeal well beyond traditional games of chance.
International examples show that casinos integrated into a broader leisure and cultural model can become robust economic engines, capable of generating significant flows of visitors and investment. The question now is whether Brussels will seize this opportunity in the medium and long term.