Barcelona Tips Its Hat to London’s Casino Trailblazer

_{Hippodrome Casino owner Simon Thomas celebrates a trio of wins at ICE Barcelona. (Image: Courtesy of Simon Thomas/Hippodrome Casino)}

If ICE 2026, the international gaming industry’s largest annual event, was a showcase of global innovation, then London’s Hippodrome Casino took centre stage. Held for the first time in Barcelona, the exhibition became a moment of recognition for a British institution that continues to reshape what a casino can be.

Hippodrome Casino owner Simon Thomas walked away from ICE with three major awards and a resounding affirmation: London’s model for broad-market, entertainment-led gaming has gone global.

A Sportsbook First That Made History

Paddy’s Sportsbook, a collaborative space within the Hippodrome developed in partnership with Flutter Entertainment, was named Best Customer Innovation at the European Casino Awards. The accolade wasn’t just about tech; it was a nod to regulatory shifts in the UK.

“This is the first time the new Gambling Act allowed us to bring a modern sportsbook into a British casino,” Thomas said.

Sportsbooks have been a staple of US casinos for decades, but in the UK, retail sports betting has traditionally lived in high-street shops. The new law, implemented in 2023, enabled UK casinos to legally integrate on-site sports betting lounges, a move that Hippodrome seized ahead of competitors.

The sportsbook’s location inside the historic Leicester Square venue gives visitors the chance to bet, eat, and watch live sports without ever leaving the casino. It’s a blend of traditional gambling with hospitality and live entertainment, the formula that’s become the Hippodrome’s calling card.

The Staff Behind the Spotlight

While the industry spotlight often falls on executives and floor space, Thomas was quick to redirect the praise to his staff after being named the recipient of the Casino International Outstanding Contribution Award. 

“In truth, [this award] belongs to the fantastic staff who have helped redefine what a casino can be,” he said.

Recognition for the team didn’t end there. At the inaugural ECA Slot Floor Excellence Awards, the Hippodrome’s technology team was named Outstanding Slot Team of the Year. Their work followed last year’s regulatory expansion of slot machine allocations on UK gaming floors, a long-awaited update that enabled casinos to increase capacity beyond the previous 20-machine cap.

Rosie Brooks, a member of the Hippodrome team, was also named runner-up for Slot Floor Employee of the Year, underscoring the human element behind the casino’s evolution.

_{Staff Success: Mathew Taylor-Harrison represents the Hippodrome Casino winning European Dealer Championship}

Six-Time Champion of the Global Gaming Awards

Capping off the ICE 2026 wins, the Hippodrome was named Best Casino at the Global Gaming Awards, for the sixth time.

That recurring recognition reinforces the venue’s reputation not just as a tourist destination, but as a leader in casino innovation. From immersive live gaming and multi-level slot floors to hosting West End theatre productions, the Hippodrome has leaned into its unique position in central London to deliver a hybrid entertainment experience.

“The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more,” Thomas said.

“I was genuinely humbled to see the Hippodrome recognised with several major awards.”

Why It Matters: A London Model with Global Implications

The significance of Hippodrome’s wins at ICE stretches beyond one casino. In an industry driven by both tradition and tech, the London venue is setting a precedent: entertainment, customer experience, and regulatory adaptation aren’t mutually exclusive, they’re interdependent.

Leicester Square may not be Las Vegas, but the Hippodrome has proved that British casinos can innovate just as boldly. The ripple effect is felt across the West End, where restaurants, theatres, and hotels benefit from a thriving, integrated entertainment economy.

As global gaming operators continue to look for post-pandemic growth models, they may find the blueprint in a former theatre turned casino that put its chips on experience, and won.