Brussels Reconfirms Napoleon Games for 15-Year Casino Concession Valued at €750m
Brussels has awarded Napoleon Games the 15-year Brussels Casino concession valued at €750m after a Council of State review upheld the original ranking. The new term begins July 1, 2027, following a six-month extension that preserves 286 jobs. Napoleon Games won on superior site vision and hospitality plans.
SCCG Take — The 3.28-point margin and procedural reset underscore how bid documentation determines outcomes in Belgian casino tenders. Operators must prioritize detailed, compliant proposals that withstand legal review.
The City of Brussels has selected Napoleon Games to operate its casino for the next 15 years. The decision came on November 5 after the Council of State ordered a revised review of all bids. That review upheld the original rankings while addressing earlier procedural flaws.
The Council of State had flagged irregularities in the first decision's reasoning and gaps in meeting certain European obligations. The updated assessment added detail to bid comparisons and removed the criticized elements. Only the Grand Casino de Dinant score fell by five points; all other rankings stayed fixed.
Bid Scoring Details
Napoleon Games recorded a perfect 30 out of 30 on site vision against 20 out of 30 for its nearest rival on that metric. The operator stood out on its hotel and restaurant project, live entertainment plans, and proposal to host an international chess tournament. In the final ranking, 3.28 points out of 100 separated Napoleon Games from Viage, as first reported by G3 Newswire citing Le Soir and Journal des Casinos.
The future concession represents a total estimated value of €750m. Its entry into force has nevertheless been postponed to July 1, 2027. The city and Viage have, in fact, agreed on a six-month extension of the current contract, until June 30, in order to avoid an interruption of activity and to preserve the 286 jobs of the casino.
Operator Plans and Next Steps
Philippe Joos, CEO of Napoleon Games, stated: "We firmly believe in the potential of the Brussels Casino." The company will position the venue as a hospitality-led destination supported by a responsible gaming policy designed for a physical casino. Neither the City of Brussels nor Viage issued comments on the final award.
This outcome delivers continuity in a tightly contested European licence process. The narrow margin and emphasis on detailed scoring show regulators will enforce procedural standards even when rankings hold. Operators pursuing similar concessions should expect close legal scrutiny of every comparative element and should align project plans with verifiable local benefits.
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