Leeds Victoria Gate 'super casino' sold
An agreement has been reached to sell Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds to Merkur Casino Entertainment UK.
The city’s biggest casino is set to be taken over by a new operator after licence terms were agreed with the council.
An agreement has been reached to sell Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds to Merkur Casino Entertainment UK.
Leeds City Council said a large casino premises licence for the venue, previously operated by VGC Leeds Ltd, would be transferred.
The 50,000 sq ft “super casino” opened in 2017 and offers slot machines, table games and roulette at the site on Eastgate.
The council’s licensing committee agreed to the new arrangements at a meeting on Tuesday, June 30.
A licensing report said: “The Gambling Act 2005 limited the number of new large casinos nationally and identified a small number of authorities, including Leeds, that were permitted to grant such a licence.
“VGC Leeds Ltd has now agreed to sell the casino business to Merkur Casino Entertainment UK Ltd, with completion anticipated at the end of June 2026, which will result in transfer of the large casino premises licence between the parties.”
Victoria Gate Casino is open 24 hours a day and offers live sport screenings along with gambling activities.
The report said the current licence agreement would be updated as part of the transfer.
An agreement for the casino to contribute to community projects in the city would continue for a further two years, councillors were told.
The report said: “The continuation of the Social Inclusion Fund ensures the ongoing delivery of externally funded community benefits.”
VGC Leeds had its licence suspended last year after the Gambling Commission raised concerns over measures to prevent money laundering.
On November 25 the regulator said the licence was re-instated after “significant action” was taken to improve procedures at the casino.
Merkur Casino Entertainment UK is based in Milton Keynes and is part of German parent company Merkur Group.