1992

Founded in 1992 by two men from Liège, the Ardent Group (formerly known as the Circus Group) has its roots in the heart of the burning city.

It didn’t take long for fun and entertainment to become the centre of the group’s activities with the opening of its gaming rooms.

1998

Ardent Group branches out and creates Immo Retail, real estate investor and property developer as well as preferred partner for expansion projects of major retailers in Wallonia and Brussels.

2003-2004

Ardent Group becomes the owner of the Casino de Namur and the Casino de Spa, assuring its leading market position in the gaming sector. Because the group now offers both class B and class A games, it is determined to adhere to the legal prescriptions in the sector and assembles its own in-house legal team.

2011

The group’s fascination with new technologies stimulates the foundation of Ledcom, specialist in digital signage.

The Belgian online gaming market is regulated by the Gaming Commission. Ardent Group is among the first to start the online gaming adventure thanks to the foundation of GAMING1 – in partnership with ProduWed – a company dedicated to the digitalization of land-based gaming activities. The Circus.be platform sees the light of day, as well as casino777.be and a partnership with Pokerstars.be.

2015

The Circus Group becomes the Ardent Group. The name marks its Liège roots, emphasizes the convivial character of this family group and reinforces its flamboyant optimism.

The Ardent Group currently has about 500 employees and is still in full expansion. It aspires to bring entertainment to everyone within the provided legal framework.

2016

Ardent Group continues its expansion with the acquisition of three French casinos: the casino of Briançon, Port-Leucate and Carnac, the opening of a new Circus Casino in Aubange and two sports betting agencies. Ardent Group also provides numerous newsagents with its betting terminals and reinforces its sports visibility by becoming the official sponsor of Waasland Beveren and the cyclocross team ERA-CIRCUS.
The Casino de Namur becomes the ‘Circus Grand Casino de Namur’ and takes its first steps in becoming a prestigious resort (including wellness, conference rooms, fitness room and restaurants) by 2019.
In terms of real estate, there’s the groundbreaking in the Liège Office Center project, a vast range of offices and apartments opposite the Calatrava station in Guillemins.
Internationally, Ardent Group develops its online gaming platforms in Romania, Serbia, Spain and Portugal.