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Merkur now owns two of the biggest casinos in the UK, following the purchase of Casino MK in Milton Keynes last year
MERKUR Casino UK, one of the nation’s leading Casino, Adult Gaming Centre and High Street Bingo operators has completed the acquisition of Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds and will safeguard local jobs as the venue transitions to its new ownership.
The venue, located within the Victoria Gate leisure and retail destination in Leeds city centre, is currently owned and operated by a subsidiary of VGC Developments. It will temporarily close its doors on July 6 to allow for a seamless handover before reopening under the MERKUR brand on July 13.
It opened in 2017, as one of the then ‘large’ casino licences, covering 50,000 sq. ft.
Guests can look forward to a full programme of live entertainment and events, with details of a new customer loyalty scheme set to be announced in due course.
The casino will undergo enhancements in line with MERKUR’s brand standards, further elevating the customer experience while retaining the features guests know and enjoy. Visitors can expect a world-class selection of table games including blackjack, poker and roulette, alongside the latest slot machine games.
This acquisition marks MERKUR’s third casino venue in the UK following the successful launch of its Aberdeen Casino in 2023 and the recent acquisition of the Casino MK in Milton Keynes last year. The move underlines the company’s continued investment in the UK gaming industry and its commitment to supporting the high street, as well as creating local jobs.
Mark Schertle, chief operating officer for MERKUR Casino UK, said: “Leeds is a vibrant city with a strong hospitality and entertainment scene, and we believe Victoria Gate Casino represents an exciting opportunity for MERKUR as we continue to grow our UK casino portfolio. We remain committed to investing in quality leisure venues and supporting the future of land-based gaming in the UK.”
“We are also pleased to be able to support local jobs and retain all experienced team members whose passion and professionalism helped make the casino such a well-established destination. We are focused on investing in the venue and look forward to reopening the doors and introducing customers to the MERKUR experience in the months ahead.”
The acquisition forms part of its broader UK growth strategy and reflects its confidence in the long-term future of land-based gaming in the region.
Mark added, “The acquisition of Victoria Gate Casino reflects our confidence in the future of land-based casinos in the UK and our ambition to continue growing the MERKUR brand in key locations. Customers are looking for high-quality entertainment experiences and our focus is on delivering a modern casino environment that combines great gaming, hospitality and customer service. We’re excited about the opportunities in Leeds and look forward to becoming part of the city’s leisure landscape.”
Richard Noble, CEO at Victoria Gate Casino added: “We are proud of what has been built at Victoria Gate Casino and are pleased to be working with MERKUR on the transfer of the venue. They share our commitment to delivering a high-quality customer experience and we look forward to seeing them continue the success of this venue.”
MERKUR looks forward to welcoming customers back to Victoria Gate Casino Leeds on 13th July 2026, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for one of the city’s best-known entertainment venues.
