Westminster Council Approves 24-Hour Casino at London’s Historic Trocadero

_{The Trocadero in the heart of London. (Radharc Images/Alamy)}

Westminster councillors have unanimously approved plans to transform the iconic Trocadero building in the heart of the West End into a 24-hour casino and entertainment complex. Affectionately nicknamed "The Troc". It was also known by the names of its former occupants, such as SegaWorld or Funland, during the time these arcades were open.

Genting Casinos UK, which operates more than 30 land based casino venues across the country, submitted an application to repurpose several parts of the Grade II-listed building, including the former Opium nightclub in the basement, the ground-floor souvenir shop, and the old Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant on the first floor, into a two-storey casino.

The development at 13 Coventry Street, between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, is expected to generate up to 350 jobs and accommodate 1,250 guests at full capacity, according to Genting’s proposal.

A Storied Landmark Gets a New Spin

The Trocadero has been a mainstay of London’s entertainment scene since the 1850s, evolving through decades of cultural change. From its early days as a music hall to the SegaWorld and Funland arcades of the 1990s and 2000s, the site has long been associated with leisure and nightlife.

_{Artist's impression of the new casino. (Image: Genting Casinos)}

Once home to a Cineworld cinema and a short-lived hotel conversion project, the upper levels have largely stood empty in recent years, a fact that bolstered support for redevelopment among Westminster councillors.

“The main reason for the low impact of casinos is that the use does not attract large groups of high-spirited or rowdy persons, and the gaming experience is a sober one mainly for individuals or small groups,” councillors said during the session.

Community Pushback Over West End Impact

Despite the economic promise, local groups voiced strong opposition. The Soho Society, a long-standing residents’ organisation, argued that another late-night venue could worsen existing problems in the area.

In its objection, the society wrote: “Coventry Street already struggles with pedestrian congestion, noise and litter and a new 24-hour casino would actively undermine Westminster’s 2023 Cumulative Impact Assessment and conflicts with the Soho Neighbourhood Plan’s aims to curb further stress on residential amenity and public realm.”

The group also criticised the lack of “substantial public benefit,” noting that Genting had made no offer to contribute to amenities such as public toilets or late-night transport improvements.

Next Steps for Genting UK

The council’s approval allows Genting to proceed with redevelopment plans, but the company must still secure a separate operating licence for casino use at the Trocadero.

If approved, the venue would join Genting’s four existing London properties, which include The Palm Beach Casino in Mayfair and Crockfords Club in Mayfair, both catering to high-end clientele. The company has not yet announced an opening date.

The conversion marks another chapter in the life of one of London’s best-known landmarks, now set to re-emerge as a hub for gaming rather than shopping or cinema.