Betting in Brussels

With a metropolitan population of just over 1.8 million, the Brussels Capital Region is not only the seat of national government in Belgium but also the de facto capital of the European Union (EU). It is comprised of 19 municipalities, including the City of Brussels, whose history stretches back to the 10th century when it was founded as a fortress town. Today, the local economy is focused upon administrative services related to multinationals, European institutions and political organisations that have chosen Brussels as their headquarters.

One of the most famous landmarks in all of Brussels is its central square known as the “Grand Place” or “Grote Markt.” Surrounded by guild halls, cafés and restaurants, it is arguably the most visited location in the entire country and just a short walk from Boulevard Anspach, near which most of the capital’s gambling establishments are located.

Three of the six casino properties in Brussels are owned and operated by the Golden Palace Group, which has a history dating back more than five decades and a network of 28 gaming halls throughout Belgium. The flagship is the spacious Golden Palace Brussels, right in the heart of the city on Rue du Marché aux Poulets at Boulevard Anspach. It is open daily 24 hours with electronic roulette and dozens of gaming machines, plus an on-site snack bar serving food and drinks.

Just nearby on Rue Fossé aux Loups is one of the Group’s two affiliates, the Cameo Palace Brussels. This venue is slightly smaller, but also has electronic roulette and gaming machines available 24/4, along with a snack bar. Then, the Brussels Zenith Casino occupies a space next door to the Hotel Métropole, also in the city centre on Place de Brouckère. Its 24/7 gaming floor features a vaulted ceiling with marble pillars and chandeliers, a full-service bar, free seating in leather chair, three electronic roulette areas and over 20 gaming machines.

Another neighbour of the Golden Palace Brussels on Rue du Marché aux Poulets is the Versailles Palace – Bruxelles, open 24 hours a day with its 38 gaming machines. It also features an online gaming presence called Versailles Palace operated under license by Sonic SA. Linking the virtual and real casinos is the Versailles Palace Exclusive Club, which offers cash, gifts, bonuses and access to exclusive games by using a point accumulation programme.

Directly on Boulevard Anspach at the corner of Rue Grétry is the massive Viage Entertainment Center. The property features the greatest concentration of gaming machines in the city----some 375 units—along with an array of 49 table games, from Blackjack and English Roulette to Stud Poker and Punto Banco. The action starts daily at noon and doesn’t stop until 4am on weekdays and till 5am on the weekend.

Also on the premises is a Bingo room with seating for 100 players plus a Mah Jong room newly opened in December 2012. Then, there’s the Center’s luxurious Oak Room, which has six gaming tables and six slot machines of its own for guests that appreciate a certain amount of privacy. The Oak Room offers private cashing out facilities and unlimited personal service, backed by a collection of whiskies and cigars.

Viage Entertainment Center has its own full-size theatre, too, which has hosted such celebrities as Level 42, George Benson, Paul Anka and Kool & the Gang, to name a few. There are also meeting and event facilities for rental inside the flexible space called Kameleon Sky, which can accommodate groups of up to 250 persons. And dining is available on-site, where choices include Brown’s Sport Bar & Grill, the Cinna-Bar for drinks and bar food, and Saffron for snacks.

One other gaming facility to be found in Brussels on the west side of the city is the property referred to as Gambling City. It is located on Chaussée de Ninove near Marie-José Park, offering a wide variety of electronic gaming machines, including French Roulette, English Roulette, Skill Dice, Crazy Dice, Royal Flush, Sic Bo Victory, Dice Runner, Draw Poker, Super Dice and International Tootie, to name a few. All games are available 24 hours a day.

Published on: 06/04/2013

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