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- A new long-term concession enters the selection phase
- Belgium’s flagship casino in a prime urban location
- Betano currently operates under the A+ licence
- A change of operator could trigger a licence review
- A procedure governed by European concession law
- A decision that will shape the Belgian casino market
A new long-term concession enters the selection phase
Brussels formally opens the race to operate its casino
The City of Brussels has initiated a new public concession process for the operation of the Casino de Bruxelles, with the next mandate set to begin on 1 January 2027. The decision was approved by the municipal council, officially launching a competitive procedure to identify the future operator.
With an estimated value of €750 million excluding VAT over 15 years, the concession ranks among the largest public contracts ever issued in Belgium’s regulated gambling sector.
Belgium’s flagship casino in a prime urban location
A key venue combining gaming, hospitality and city branding
Situated on Boulevard Anspach in the historic centre of Brussels, the Casino de Bruxelles is the largest land-based casino in the country. The site spans more than 14,000 m² and currently hosts dozens of table games, several hundred slot machines, a poker room, and multiple food and beverage outlets.
Beyond its size, the venue plays a strategic role in Brussels’ nightlife and tourism offering, while also serving as a cornerstone of Belgium’s tightly controlled casino framework.
Betano currently operates under the A+ licence
Online and land-based casino activities legally connected
At present, the A+ casino licence linked to the Brussels venue is held by Betano Casino, which also operates a legally connected online casino platform. Under Belgian law, the A+ licence allows a single operator to combine physical casino operations with online gambling services.
Although both the A+ licence and the municipal concession typically cover a 15-year period, they are issued under separate legal regimes and are not automatically tied to one another.
A change of operator could trigger a licence review
The A+ authorisation does not automatically follow the concession
One of the central uncertainties surrounding the new concession is what would happen to the A+ licence if a different operator were selected from 2027 onward.
Belgian gambling law assigns the A+ licence to a specific legal entity, meaning it cannot simply be transferred along with the concession. A new concession holder could therefore be required to submit a fresh licence application or undergo a full regulatory reassessment by the Belgian Gaming Commission.
This issue is crucial for potential bidders, as online casino operations now represent a major share of overall casino revenues.
A procedure governed by European concession law
Transparency and competition obligations apply
Given its financial scale—far exceeding EU thresholds—the Brussels Casino concession must follow strict public procurement rules. The process falls under Belgium’s concession legislation and corresponding European regulations.
As a result, the call for candidates will be published both nationally and at EU level, with detailed tender documents made available to ensure transparency, equal access, and regulatory compliance.
A decision that will shape the Belgian casino market
Implications go far beyond a single venue
More than a commercial transaction, this concession will influence the structure of Belgium’s casino sector for the next decade and a half. The selected operator and regulatory outcome will affect employment, investment levels, responsible gambling policies, and competition within the licensed market.
For industry stakeholders and regulators alike, the Brussels Casino tender is expected to become a reference case, closely watched as Belgium continues to refine its approach to regulated gambling.
