5 minute read
The story of VIAGE started fifteen years ago with a spectacular VIP Gala opening event on 22 April 2010. It was just the beginning of a scintillating weekend with loads of surprises and fun in the heart of Brussels. The event instantly put the entertainment centre on the map.
The then-mayor, the late Freddy Thielemans, cut the red ribbon, inaugurating a unique addition to our nation’s capital. The needs, tastes and traditions of Brussels take centre stage here. Our success is also owed to our experienced and dedicated staff. All of us work hard every day to strengthen our integration within the community. Over the years, VIAGE has built a reputation as a prestigious casino that extends a warm welcome to all of its guests, including those visiting us from abroad. In this way, we make a valuable contribution to tourism in our region.
We deliver a fantastic experience for every visitor with top-notch gaming and a dash of excitement. Laughing, eating, drinking, dancing, meeting, discovering, excitement, enjoying and tasting: there's never a dull day at VIAGE. And this 365 days a year and almost 24 hours a day! Here’s a look back at some of the highlights of the last fifteen years.
Prince
Even before our first anniversary, none other than Prince gave two performances at the Viage Theatre. In July he performed in front of 300 fans after his concert at Werchter Boutique. A second surprise show followed in November after his gig at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp. The show kicked off with a thirty-minute jam session, followed by a string of hits including ‘I Wanna Be Your Lover’, ‘Sexy Dancer’ and ‘Raspberry Beret’. In between, the king of the Flemish music scene, Will Tura, mounted the stage for a series of unadulterated crooner hits.
Unlimited party pleasure and top entertainment was on the menu for New Year’s Eve when the world-famous The Gibson Brothers delivered a special live show. Many other great artists graced the stage at VIAGE over the years, either in our theatre, in the CINNA bar or even on Là-Haut rooftop. Patrick Fiori, Kool & The Gang, George Benson, Level 42, Paul Anka, French artist Julien Doré and, just recently, Belgian jazz legend Philip Catherine are just a few of the artists to perform here.
World Poker Tour
It wasn’t just the concerts that went viral. By the end of 2012, we had already welcomed 1 million visitors! Between 2013 and 2020 we hosted a total of 18 editions of the World Poker Tour. The number of entries was very high as well, with a jaw-dropping record 584 entries in February 2019. The WPT in Brussels always enjoyed a generous turnout and a convivial atmosphere.
And so much more
In 2019 we temporarily flashed back to the roaring twenties with The Great Gatsby Immersive Experience. In true twenties style, a liftboy brought numerous visitors to a secret speakeasy hosted by Gatsby. The revamped restaurant VIAGE Grill opened its doors. On the Australian 360° grill, often referred to as the ‘rock star’ of grill ovens, the chef performs culinary feats until late in the evening.
Following a challenging time for all of us due to an exceptionally nasty virus, the space was converted into a theatre again in 2022 – The Viage. The Viva Frida Kahlo exhibition attracted over 50,000 visitors. On the ground floor, we introduced VIAGE Chill, a paradise for visitors with a sweet tooth. In good weather, the terrace is the place to be to sample milkshakes, coffee and pastries from our own pâtissier – in the heart of Brussels' green promenade.
Professional recognition
Within the industry we earned recognition on multiple fronts. In 2023 we were elected to host the prestigious European Dealer Championship. At this colourful event with competitions, entertainment and a convivial atmosphere, Europe’s top dealers faced off against each other. The driving force behind the EDC is the European Casino Association, an organisation that represents, promotes and protects the interests of casinos and/or casino activities in Europe. It fights illegal gambling while fostering positive contributions made by the industry. Training competent and qualified dealers is crucial in this regard. What’s more, we are the first Belgian casino to obtain certification within the Responsible Gambling Framework of the European Casino Association. This means we not only meet the highest standard but we also play a pioneering role in our country in terms of responsible gaming and sustainable entrepreneurship in our sector.
Last year VIAGE became the proud recipient of a Certificate of Excellence from the City of Brussels, presented by Alderman for Economic Affairs Fabian Maingain. This prestigious award recognises both our active involvement in the programme of ‘Clefs d'Or Belgium - Excellence in Belgian Hospitality’ and our commitment and dedication to the quality of local commerce.
At the most recent European Casino Awards, VIAGE was a finalist in no fewer than four separate categories: Best Overall Casino, Best Customer Service, Best Live Entertainment and the Corporate Community Engagement Award.
Thanks to the nearly 5 million visitors that entertainment complex VIAGE has welcomed over the past fifteen years, we are still going strong. Together with you, we are looking forward to the next fifteen years of laughing, eating, drinking, dancing, meeting, discovering, excitement, enjoyment and tasting, just like on that auspicious first day.
