Economy

Belgian flag with a view of belgium in the background

Why Marc Coucke is involved in the Brussels Casino case

25 Sep 2026

The future of the Brussels Casino remains in the balance pending a decision by the City Council following the intervention of the Council of State. At the heart of this deal, estimated to be worth around 750 million euros over fifteen years, several high-profile names feature in Napoleon Games’ bid, including Marc Coucke and former world chess champion Gary Kasparov.

Economy

Gaming1 takes control of Carousel

Glen L.

24 Sep 2026

Gaming1 has announced the acquisition of all the shares in Pac-Man NV, the company behind Carousel. Completed on 22 September 2026, the deal is set to enable the Liège-based group to strengthen its digital operations in the regulated Belgian market.

Economy

View of the rooftops of paris with the eiffel tower and the french flag.

Casinos in Paris and Cannes drive strong growth for Partouche

Ron Emmerink

13 Sep 2026

Groupe Partouche recorded consolidated turnover of €360.7 million in the first nine months of the 2026 financial year. This is 3.7 per cent higher than the €347.8 million recorded in the same period a year earlier. Growth accelerated particularly in the third quarter. The French casino operator benefited from recent investments in Paris and Cannes, whilst its overseas branches presented a more mixed picture.

Economy

Severe blow at bet365: 340 jobs eliminated across three countries

Ron Emmerink

11 Sep 2026

Bet365 is set to cut 340 jobs across the United Kingdom, Malta, and Gibraltar.

Economy

Bingoal loses overview and loses case over gambling levy

Ron Emmerink

9 Sep 2026

Bingoal has definitively lost its appeal before the Council of State in a case regarding the Dutch gambling levy. The gambling operator sought to challenge an assessment of €71,027.75, but filed its appeal past the deadline. As a result, the court did not reach a substantive ruling on the levy itself.

Economy

Casinos: European giants are banking on France

Caroline B.

8 Sep 2026

Since the start of 2025, three French casino groups have changed hands, whilst players already active in the digital gaming sector in Europe are strengthening their presence in France.

Economy

Merkur acquires 7 casinos in France

Alex D.

2 Sep 2026

The German group Merkur is preparing to enter the French casino market by acquiring Casigrangi, the parent company of the Société Française de Casinos. The deal is set to enable it to take control of seven establishments located across several French regions.

Economy

Judges hammer used for declaring outcome judgement.

Brussels Casino: the licence hangs in the balance

Alex D.

24 Aug 2026

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.

Economy

Flutter remains the world’s largest gambling company, but US rivals are growing faster

Ron Emmerink

20 Aug 2026

With revenue of €14.50 billion, Flutter Entertainment is the clear leader in the global gambling industry. The group grew by 17 per cent in 2025 and achieved almost twice as much revenue as the number two, Allwyn.

Economy

EuroMillions: should the jackpot be capped?

Alex D.

14 Aug 2026

What if EuroMillions stopped creating multimillionaires in order to distribute its winnings more widely? Jonas Van der Slycken, an economist and visiting professor at Ghent University, advocates a radical overhaul of the lottery model. His key proposal: to cap the EuroMillions jackpot at €10 million and redistribute the additional funds amongst more winners.

Economy

Gambling club europe european union eu ue legislation

The European tax that Malta wants to block

Julien D.

11 Aug 2026

A potential European tax on online gambling is already facing strong political resistance. Malta is leading the opposition, with Spain, Portugal and Italy sharing its reservations.

Economy

Illegal gambling: Europe loses 23 billion

Caroline B.

7 Aug 2026

According to an annual study by Gaming Compliance International carried out for the European Casino Association, Member States are estimated to have lost nearly 23 billion euros in tax revenue in 2025, whilst turnover in the illegal sector is estimated to have reached 91.6 billion euros.

Economy

FDJ United held back by the UK and the Netherlands

Julien D.

5 Aug 2026

FDJ United has presented its financial results for the first half of 2026. Whilst the group has recorded a decline in its business activity and turnover, it believes these results are primarily linked to external factors, notably higher taxation on gambling and several regulatory changes.

Economy

Brussels Casino: behind the scenes of a controversial decision

Sarah C.

30 Jul 2026

The Brussels Casino is set to change operators from 2027. This decision highlights a much broader issue: competition between the Regions over the taxation of online gambling.

Economy

Gambling club casino news taxes belgique belgium belgie

Brussels puts the brakes on the gambling tax increase

Glen L.

30 Jul 2026

Whilst the Flemish government wishes to increase the regional tax levied on gambling operators, the Brussels-Capital Region is, for the time being, refusing to follow this approach.

Economy

The new gambling tax is fizzling out: the illegal market is reaping the benefits

Ron Emmerink

26 Jul 2026

The Netherlands raised the gambling tax to 37.8 per cent on 1 January 2026. The government had expected hundreds of millions of euros in additional revenue, but takings are proving to be significantly lower than forecast. This raises the question of whether the increase in the gambling tax is benefiting the Treasury or, on the contrary, is strengthening the illegal market. The country had already raised taxes in 2025.

Economy

Gambling club casino review napoleon casino

Napoleon Games wins the Brussels casino concession

Julien D.

24 Jul 2026

For fifteen years, the casino on Boulevard Anspach was operated by Viage. That period is now drawing to a close. On 18 July 2026, the City of Brussels officially awarded the new licence to ECK NV, the company that operates the Napoleon Games brand. This decision marks the start of a new fifteen-year cycle for Belgium’s most popular casino.

Economy