The Rise of the Entertainment Casino: UK Venues Reinvent the Night Out

_{Nightlife in leicester Square. (Image Alan Evans/Casinos.com)}

Casinos in the United Kingdom are undergoing a remarkable evolution. What were once rooms defined almost entirely by gaming are now becoming fully rounded entertainment destinations where guests arrive for atmosphere, music, dining, celebration and culture as much as for the tables. The shift mirrors the transformation seen in Las Vegas, where the modern visitor is increasingly drawn by spectacle. The Sphere has demonstrated that people now travel for immersive experiences that live alongside or even overshadow the traditional casino offering. Mega stars like The Eagles and even UK bands like the Backstreet Boys now take to the stage. Classic films like The Wizard of Oz are having a rebirth at the Sphere and have been welcomed by multi-generational audiences. This shift has been accelerated further by the long-awaited expansion of slots allocations for UK casinos, one of the most significant regulatory modernisations in decades, giving venues the flexibility to create more diverse gaming environments alongside their entertainment offerings.

UK Heading in Direction of Las Vegas as Casino Entertainment Destination

This momentum has reached Britain and has begun to reshape every layer of the sector. Casino destinations in the UK recognise that they are no longer competing solely with each other or with online gambling but with a broad spectrum of leisure choices. The result is a new breed of casino venue that blends social play, live entertainment, themed events, culinary experiences and intuitive introductions to gaming into one cohesive night out. From Magic Mike to Bollywood Evenings your local casino may hold some real surprises inside for you.

At the Hippodrome, Magic Mike Live, a dance and music show in partnership with Hollywood star Channing Tatum and geared towards a largely female audience, has become one of the defining entertainment brands in the West End, drawing in a completely new type of visitor who may never previously have considered a casino as part of their night out. The show demonstrates how performance, energy and atmosphere can sit naturally alongside gaming and hospitality in a modern casino environment.

Simon Thomas of the Hippodrome Casino in London sees the change as inevitable. He said:

 “When we talk about economic growth, it's essential to understand that simply moving money around does not inherently grow an economy. Instead, venues like the Hippodrome Casino create vibrant environments where people choose to spend their hard-earned money. Tourists flock to locations like ours for entertainment and experience, contributing significantly to London's economy.”

This is also why the Hippodrome recently opened Paddy’s Sportsbook, again thanks to enlightened legislative change. It’s the first of its kind in the West End, offering an immersive, fan-driven sports experience that blends live viewing, social energy and gaming in a way that appeals to a more diverse customer base.

Entertainment Led Casino Culture Takes Centre Stage

Genting has pushed this change forward with a commitment to live entertainment, seasonal programming and rich hospitality. Across its venues guests find evenings shaped by music, celebration and atmosphere rather than purely by gaming. Stratford and Reading offer regular live acts. Luton hosts nostalgic themed nights.

Wolverhampton invites guests into Temple Street Social where shuffleboard and darts create a modern activity lounge. Glasgow provides private karaoke rooms. Dining and bar culture take on an equally dominant role with cocktail programmes, festive menus and celebratory offers that attract visitors who may never see the gaming floor. The effect is a casino that feels less like a gambling venue and more like a contemporary entertainment space where guests build an entire night’s experience.

Broadening Horizons at Leicester Square Casino

We recently visited and reported on the Horizons casino in Leicester Square The casino recently completed a nine-month refurbishment, reimagining the space with upscale dining, ambient design, and a panoramic terrace designed to engage a new generation of casino-goers.

Dining is now a key part of the Horizons offering. The venue partnered with award-winning chef Maz Demir and his restaurant group Skewd, known for upscale Anatolian Turkish cuisine. 

_{Jeremy Cummings (l) and Ryan livingstone (r) leading the renovations at Horizons Casino. (Image: Alan Evans/Casinos.com)}

“It’s been nine months in the making. We only opened a week ago, but we’re already thrilled with what we’ve achieved,” said Jeremy Cummings, director of Horizons Casino.

Cummings also emphasised that Horizons aims to become a dining destination, not just a gambling venue. 

“You don’t have to come to gamble. This is a destination to come to for fine dining, for a beautiful night out.”

Above Ground and Upscale

The casino’s most visible shift is literal: it has moved from its long-time basement home to a new ground-floor venue with sweeping views of Leicester Square. That includes a wraparound terrace offering cocktails, coffee, and what Cummings calls “a premier gaming experience.”

The redesign includes a plasma ceiling that adjusts with the daylight, aiming to create an immersive environment for players and diners. 

“Across our new expanded casino, especially upstairs, we’ve installed a magnificent plasma ceiling, which changes atmosphere as the day progresses,” Cummings told Casinos.com.

 In February 2025 we published an article  What Does the Future of the UK Gamblin Industry Look Like. It appears that it looks quite bright, colourful, tasty, entertaining, safe and contemporary.

Cultural Experiences Redefining Casino Nights

The Sportsman Casino in London embraces cultural storytelling as part of its identity. Bollywood Nights brings the colour and rhythm of Indian cinema into the heart of the venue and transforms the casino into an uplifting celebration of sound, dance and energy. Arabian Nights creates an entirely different atmosphere with evocative music and flavours that transport guests into ancient settings. These cultural events shape the casino into a destination where the mood and theme of the evening become the focus. The Sportsman sustains this approach through long form entertainment seasons such as More Rewarding Playtime, A Spirited Twist and This Month’s Slots Club. These programmes encourage return visits and position the venue as a place for ongoing entertainment rather than one off gaming sessions.

Casino Destination Experiences Designed for New Audiences

Grosvenor Casinos adds another dimension to this nationwide shift by creating structured experience packages designed for guests who want an enjoyable evening out but may have little or no gaming experience. The All in Experience combines warm hospitality with champagne, a private table session and Grosvenor money that can be used throughout the venue. It creates a sense of occasion that appeals to couples, groups and celebrations. The Game On Experience opens the door for newcomers by pairing a relaxed welcome drink with a private dealer session that teaches the fundamentals of gaming in an approachable way. The atmosphere remains friendly, social and easy to enjoy.

The Fan Zone Experience demonstrates how sports viewing has become part of the modern casino offering. Guests can watch significant matches in reserved comfort before moving into the wider entertainment environment with Grosvenor money and a Lucky Number Roulette moment. The Poker Hand Experience introduces poker through guided play that feels competitive yet welcoming. These experiences redefine the casino as a destination for shared enjoyment and social energy rather than exclusive expertise.

A Leisure Destination Model Shaping the Future of UK Casinos

Together, Genting, The Hippodrome, The Sportsman, Horizons and Grosvenor reveal the new direction of the United Kingdom casino industry. Entertainment is becoming central. Dining is being elevated. Cultural nights, themed celebrations and seasonal programmes now compete with mainstream hospitality venues. Social gaming spaces soften the boundaries between casino and activity lounge. Learn to play formats remove any sense of intimidation and replace it with curiosity and fun.

This shift is driven by the expectations of modern leisure seekers who want environments where entertainment, food, drink, culture and games coexist. They want places where groups with mixed interests can enjoy a full evening without needing to travel from venue to venue. Casinos are discovering that they are uniquely positioned to deliver this because they have the space, the energy, the hospitality structure and the late-night hours needed to support a complete destination experience.

The Hippodrome exemplifies this integrated model: nine floors of entertainment, the country’s largest live venue of its type, a world-class steakhouse and a Chinese restaurant already polling in the top 30 for London on Trip Advisor, ten bars, three terraces, a dedicated poker deck, limitless and modular events space, live sports viewing through Paddy’s Sportsbook, Magic Mike Live, and a constant rotation of cultural moments. With so much in one building it offers more flexibility and choice without compromising its entertainment-led identity and 

What emerges is a redefined casino visit in the United Kingdom. No longer a simple gaming stop, it becomes a night filled with atmosphere, live experiences, shared moments and discovery. Gaming plays its part but no longer defines the entire evening. The modern casino stands instead as a leisure destination designed to entertain, delight and create memories from the moment guests arrive to the moment they leave.

Optimism Abounds at the Hippodrome Casino 

Perhaps Simon Thomas (pictured) of the Hippodrome sums it up best when he said with optimism: 

“Casinos have a pivotal role in the night-time economy. As traditional retail spaces struggle, the focus on experience-driven venues is increasing. We're committed to creating safe, enjoyable environments that cater to what people seek, entertainment, dining, and social engagement.”