Baroness Twycross Visits Grosvenor Casino Liverpool to Discuss Jobs and Safer Gambling

_{Baroness Fiona Twycross visited Grosvenor Casino Liverpool to see how UK casinos are investing in jobs and safer gambling. (Image: Rank Group)}

Baroness Fiona Twycross, the UK’s Minister for Gambling, visited Grosvenor Casino Liverpool during the Labour Party Conference to hear directly from casino staff and operators.

It marked her second visit to the venue, underscoring her interest in the role of UK casinos in creating jobs, supporting tourism, and contributing to the leisure economy. The tour was hosted by John O’Reilly, CEO of Rank Group, which operates Grosvenor Casinos nationwide, alongside Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) CEO Grainne Hurst.

The Economic Impact of UK Casinos

Casinos remain a vital part of the UK’s leisure and entertainment industry. They employ more than 10,000 people, attract 13 million customer visits each year, contribute around £300 million in taxes, and generate an estimated £800 million for the wider economy.

The Rank Group recently launched a programme of investment across its Grosvenor estate. This includes upgraded gaming floors, new hospitality offers, and expanded safer gambling tools to give customers greater control and support.

However, industry leaders warn that new or higher gambling taxes could put that progress at risk, reducing investment, hitting local economies, and making it harder for operators to support the government’s pro-growth agenda.

Safer Gambling at the Forefront

Grainne Hurst, CEO of the BGC, said Baroness Twycross’s visit highlighted the importance of balancing entertainment with player protection.

 “It was fantastic to visit Grosvenor Casino Liverpool alongside Baroness Twycross, giving her the chance to meet staff and see the investment being made in venues right across the country,” Hurst said. 

“Casinos like Grosvenor are part of the fabric of Britain’s night-time economy, offering entertainment, hospitality, and jobs in major cities and towns. But they are also leading the way on safer gambling, ensuring that customers can enjoy themselves in a safe and responsible environment.” 

Rank Group’s Investment in the Casino Experience

John O’Reilly, CEO of Rank Group, said his teams are working to ensure Grosvenor venues remain competitive in the wider leisure sector.

 “We were proud to again welcome Baroness Twycross to Grosvenor Casino Liverpool. Our teams are committed to delivering outstanding hospitality and entertainment, while keeping customers safe through a wide range of safer gambling measures,” O’Reilly said. 

He added that new investments will make venues more attractive destinations. “With the right reforms now in place, we will be able to do even more to support jobs, growth, and tourism in Liverpool and beyond,” he said.

BGC: Casinos Driving Jobs and Growth

The BGC represents more than 90% of the regulated betting and gaming industry in Britain, including land-based casinos and online operators. Its members contribute £6.8 billion to the economy, pay £4 billion in taxes, and support more than 109,000 jobs nationwide.

Each month, around 22.5 million people in Britain gamble, from the lottery and betting shops to casinos and online platforms. According to the NHS Health Survey for England, 0.4% of adults are problem gamblers, a figure the industry says underlines the importance of continued investment in safer gambling initiatives.