The City of Brussels has again awarded the operating concession for its casino to ECK, the Belgian operator behind Napoleon Games, after reassessing the bids in a disputed selection process.
The city executive announced its new decision on 5 November. According to local broadcaster BRUZZ, Tourism Alderman Nawal Ben Hamou confirmed that ECK remained the successful bidder after a fresh evaluation of the offers and consideration of the Council of State's earlier ruling.
The 15-year concession is scheduled to start on 1 July 2027. ECK has yet to formally sign it, according to BRUZZ's account of Napoleon Games GM Philippe Joos's response.
The decision selects a future operator; it does not transfer control of the casino immediately.
ECK had first won the concession on 17 July. Casino Austria, the company behind current operator Viage, challenged that award. Belgium's Council of State suspended the initial decision on 31 August, requiring the city to revisit how it assessed the bids.
The city's latest award is therefore a new decision in the same competition.
The interruption created a practical problem because Viage's existing concession was due to expire at the end of 2026.
The city and Viage subsequently agreed to a six-month extension through 30 June 2027, keeping the casino open while the concession process continued.
BRUZZ reported that the arrangement would safeguard the jobs of 286 casino workers during the transition.
The contest has also drawn scrutiny over a possible conflict of interest involving Brussels Mayor Philippe Close, who is on the board of football club Anderlecht, a Napoleon Games sponsor. Close denies involvement in the new award. His spokesperson told BRUZZ that Ben Hamou handled the matter, while the Brussels prosecutor had announced an inquiry in September.
The inquiry is separate from the city's concession decision and no finding of wrongdoing is reported.
Napoleon Games already runs online gambling operations and has a casino presence in Knokke. It has been part of Superbet Group since 2021. Taking over the Brussels venue would extend its land-based operations to the capital, subject to the remaining formal steps and any further challenge to the award.
Earlier this month, coverage of Viage's temporary agreement detailed the need to renew contracts with 497 suppliers while the casino remained open.
Belgium permits a maximum of nine casino licences, including one for the Brussels venue
