Berck has just turned a decisive page in its history. After more than thirty years of management by Partouche, the municipal casino is about to change hands. This transition, which was expected but has been fraught with legal tensions, heralds a profound transformation for the establishment.
A tense municipal vote
On Monday evening, during a closely watched municipal council meeting, Berck’s elected representatives made their decision: from 1 January 2026, the management of the casino will be entrusted to the Belgian group Infiniti Casino.
Mayor Bruno Cousein pointed out that four bids had been withdrawn at the time of the call for tenders, but that only one compliant application had been submitted. This led the municipality to unambiguously accept the bid from the Belgian casino operator, which is owned by SA Grand Casino de Dinant.
This decision is not insignificant. It comes after several years of litigation between the city and the Partouche group, the historic operator. The administrative court had already ruled twice that the terms of the previous tenders favoured Partouche, the owner of the building, too heavily. SA Grand Casino de Dinant, a subsidiary of Infiniti Casino, had then obtained the cancellation of both procedures.
These various twists and turns took the case all the way to the Council of State, which ruled in July that the casino building would revert to Berck’s ownership on 1 January 2026, in accordance with the principle of reversionary property.
While the future is being planned with Infiniti Casino, the Partouche group — which has been present in Berck for 34 years — is still contesting the decision. On Monday, it issued a formal notice to the town not to deliberate on the new operator, citing possible heavy compensation payments. The dispute continues in the courts. Partouche has summoned the city to appear before the Boulogne-sur-Mer court on 3 December in summary proceedings to prohibit the signing of any notarised deed. In response, the municipality will refer the matter to the administrative judge to enforce previous decisions.
An unprecedented contract and colossal commitments
Two long negotiation meetings were held in October between the municipality and the future operator. The contract provides for:
- €426,500 in fixed fees from the first year, indexed at 2%
- 15% of gross gaming revenue
- €50,000 contribution to a public project
- €90,000 in direct contributions to culture, associations and attractiveness
- Complete renovation of the roof, estimated at €500,000, to be paid for by the operator
Infiniti Casino plans to completely transform the establishment. A total of €7.9 million will be invested, including:
- €6.5 million to modernise the casino,
- €900,000 to completely redesign the restaurant.
The gaming offering will be revamped and revitalised: 100 slot machines, 22 electronic roulette stations, and 3 blackjack tables. The restaurant will seat 60, offer a local menu, and be open daily.
‘This is an unprecedented level of commitment,’ said Bruno Cousein.
Full takeover of contracts
The social issue was one of the most sensitive points in the case. The 40 current employees will be taken on, without any loss of rights and with the maintenance of a structured and clear organisational chart. A specific meeting will be organised shortly to answer any remaining questions from staff.
Among the employees present in the audience at the municipal council meeting, the emotion was palpable. Gladys Bequelin, staff representative, said:
‘We have been in limbo for a long time, wondering what would happen. Tonight, we got some initial answers, we know where we stand and where we are going. We know that a page is turning for us, but everything should be fine.’
Belgian executives confident
Present in Berck, Jurgen De Munck, president of Infiniti Casino, and Koen De Wispelaere, financial director, did not hide their satisfaction. They pointed out that their appeals had simply applied the law and that Berck’s situation was not unique, emphasising that the municipality would gain a long-term lease and a modernised building.
‘We have simply enforced the law. Berck is not the first town to have these problems, and it is a good thing for the municipality, which is getting back a building for which it will receive rent. Things are being done in the public interest.’
The group, which already has casinos in Ostend, Dinant, Grasse, Mexico City and Acapulco, sees Berck as a decisive step in its expansion in France. The casino will become its second establishment in France, after Grasse. This change of concession is not simply a handover. It is reshaping the future of the casino, one of Berck’s tourist and economic drivers. Between massive investments, international ambitions and ongoing legal battles, the town finds itself at a crossroads.