Victoria Gate Casino to become MERKUR Casino Leeds after week-long closure

^{Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds (Image: Alamy)}

One of the UK’s best-known gaming venues will reopen under a new name, with MERKUR Casino Entertainment UK taking over the site formerly known as Victoria Gate Casino.

The 50,000 sq ft "super casino" on Eastgate closed its doors on Monday, July 6 before reopening a week later, July 13, as MERKUR Casino Leeds, following the completion of a sale approved by Leeds City Council.

MERKUR has confirmed that customers returning to the venue will still find a full programme of live entertainment and events, alongside a new customer loyalty scheme. The casino, which operates 24 hours a day, will continue offering the same core table games, including blackjack, poker, and roulette, alongside its slot machine floor.

Those slots include big UK favourites such as Book of Ra and Charming Lady.

Related Slots

Book of Ra →

A Novomatic classic set in ancient Egypt, built around a wild-and-scatter book symbol that unlocks free spins with expanding wilds. High volatility, with a gamble feature to double up on wins.

Charming Lady →

A Novomatic/Greentube favourite built around four progressive jackpots, triggered via a Lock and Spin feature. The Lady herself acts as a doubling wild across the reels.

Why the change happened

Leeds City Council's licensing committee approved the transfer of the venue's large casino premises licence from previous operator VGC Leeds Ltd to MERKUR Casino Entertainment UK at a meeting on June 30. The city is one of only a small number of local authorities permitted to hold a large casino licence under the Gambling Act 2005, making the transfer a notable one within the UK gaming sector. 

The sale comes after a difficult stretch for the venue under its previous ownership. VGC Leeds had its licence suspended in 2025 after the Gambling Commission raised concerns over anti-money laundering measures, before it was reinstated in November following significant remedial action. 

As part of the transfer, an existing agreement for the casino to contribute to community projects in Leeds, known as the Social Inclusion Fund, will continue for a further two years.

MERKUR's growing UK footprint

The Leeds acquisition adds to MERKUR's expanding presence on the UK high street. Speaking on the deal, Merkur's Schertle described Leeds as a vibrant city with a strong hospitality and entertainment scene, calling Victoria Gate Casino an exciting opportunity as the company continues growing its UK casino portfolio.

The Leeds deal fits a broader pattern of investment from the group. MERKUR Casino UK has previously outlined plans to put over £5 million into UK high streets over a 12-month period, opening new venues and creating jobs in the process. When the company opened a new venue in Southgate, chief operating officer Mark Schertle said each new site tends to create "an average of 10 new local jobs," with the group having generated more than 600 jobs across the UK over the previous year through new openings and existing venue development.

The move lands at an interesting moment for UK land-based gaming. 

Recommended Reading

The Trusted Guide to UK Casinos →

A full rundown of the UK's land-based casino scene, from how large and small casino licences work to what to expect on a night out at a British casino.

There has been speculation that a future Labour government under incoming leader Andy Burnham could look favourably on a Social Market Foundation proposal to raise Machine Games Duty on Category B machines from 20% to 40%. Burnham has a track record of opposing high-street gambling venues from his time as Greater Manchester Mayor, and the Betting and Gaming Council has warned that such a tax rise could cost jobs and weaken the high street.

As Mayor of Greater Manchester, he was the most high-profile signatory to an open letter led by Dawn Butler, MP for Brent North, calling on the government to reverse the "Aim to Permit" rule that currently shapes gambling licensing decisions. 

Speaking about Adult Gaming Centres at the time, Burnham said: "These are high-stakes gambling venues, often open around the clock, targeting some of the most vulnerable in our communities. It's unacceptable that councils have so little power to regulate them despite repeated concerns from charities and local residents."