Milton Keynes’ Nightlife Boosted by Merkur Casino Grand Opening

_{Grand opening for MERKUR'S new casino. (Image: MERKUR/Facebook)}

MERKUR Casino has opened a major new entertainment venue in Milton Keynes, marking a significant development for the city’s leisure sector and the company’s UK expansion strategy.

The new site inside Xscape Milton Keynes officially opened on Saturday 1 November 2025.   Spread over approximately 22,000 sq ft, the land based casino venue features a dedicated gaming floor of about 1,367 m² (≈14,700 sq ft).   Inside visitors will find:
    •    72 slot machines.  
    •    26 electronic roulette terminals.  
    •    15 live gaming tables.  
    •    A 4,700 sq ft bar and event space designed to host live shows, private gatherings and community events.  

The company says the venue is designed to combine premium gaming with live entertainment in a regionally accessible location.  

Local Impact: Jobs & Economy

The opening is expected to create over 100 new jobs across gaming, hospitality and management roles. In addition, the fit-out of the venue reportedly involved local suppliers and contractors, underlining the company’s intent to support the regional economy.  

Company View & Community Ties

Mark Schertle, Chief Operating Officer of Merkur Casino UK, emphasised the significance of the city for the brand:

“Our head office is based here in Milton Keynes, so this opening means a great deal to us. We’ve worked with local suppliers, created over 100 new roles and built a venue that reflects everything this city stands for, energy, innovation and community spirit.”  

Dan Murphy, Centre Director at Xscape Milton Keynes, added that the venue will strengthen the site’s leisure offering:

“We’re thrilled to welcome Merkur Casino to Xscape Milton Keynes. Merkur’s significant investment has transformed the venue into a modern and dynamic destination, strengthening the mix of leisure experiences we offer our visitors.”  

_{The impressive facade of the new casino. (Image: MERKUR/Facebook)}

City is a Growing Leisure Destination

For Milton Keynes, the arrival of a major casino operator underlines the city’s growing status as a leisure destination outside London. It brings in new jobs, enhances nightlife options and is likely to attract visitors from a wider region.

For Merkur, it reinforces its UK strategy of expanding its land-based portfolio and creating multi-purpose entertainment venues. The company already has its UK head office in Milton Keynes, making this location a natural fit.