MERKUR Casino UK has completed the acquisition of Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds, adding another major venue to its growing UK land-based gaming portfolio. The company confirmed that the takeover will preserve existing jobs at the casino as the venue moves under new ownership.

Located within the Victoria Gate leisure and retail complex in Leeds city centre, the casino will temporarily close to allow the transition process to take place. The venue closed on July 6 and is scheduled to reopen on July 13 under the MERKUR brand.

Victoria Gate Casino originally opened in 2017 as one of the UK’s larger casino properties, operating across a 50,000 sq ft site. The venue offers a combination of electronic gaming, slot machines and traditional table games, including blackjack, poker and roulette.

MERKUR said customers will continue to have access to the casino’s existing entertainment offering while the company introduces improvements aligned with its own operating standards. The operator also plans to launch a programme of live entertainment and events, alongside a new customer loyalty scheme that will be announced at a later stage.

Leeds casino joins MERKUR’s expanding UK portfolio

The acquisition represents MERKUR’s third casino operation in the UK. The company entered the UK casino market with the opening of Aberdeen Casino in 2023 and later expanded through the purchase of Casino MK in Milton Keynes.

The Leeds acquisition strengthens MERKUR’s presence in the UK and forms part of its broader strategy to invest in land-based gaming venues. The company said the move reflects its confidence in the future of physical casinos and its plans to continue developing locations that combine gaming, hospitality and entertainment.

Mark Schertle, chief operating officer for MERKUR Casino UK, said in the company’s press release: “Leeds is a vibrant city with a strong hospitality and entertainment scene, and we believe Victoria Gate Casino represents an exciting opportunity for MERKUR as we continue to grow our UK casino portfolio. We remain committed to investing in quality leisure venues and supporting the future of land-based gaming in the UK.”

Schertle added that the company intends to retain the existing workforce as part of the transition.

“We are also pleased to be able to support local jobs and retain all experienced team members whose passion and professionalism helped make the casino such a well-established destination. We are focused on investing in the venue and look forward to reopening the doors and introducing customers to the MERKUR experience in the months ahead.”

The company said maintaining the existing team would help preserve the experience and knowledge built at the venue while it introduces its own operational approach.

Venue improvements planned following ownership change

MERKUR has outlined plans to enhance Victoria Gate Casino while keeping features familiar to existing visitors. The venue will continue offering casino games alongside updated customer-focused services.

The company said the acquisition provides an opportunity to develop the Leeds property further and strengthen its role within the city’s leisure sector.

“The acquisition of Victoria Gate Casino reflects our confidence in the future of land-based casinos in the UK and our ambition to continue growing the MERKUR brand in key locations. Customers are looking for high-quality entertainment experiences and our focus is on delivering a modern casino environment that combines great gaming, hospitality and customer service. We’re excited about the opportunities in Leeds and look forward to becoming part of the city’s leisure landscape,” Schertle said.

The transfer follows a period of uncertainty for the venue’s previous operator, VGC Leeds. The company’s licence was suspended in 2025 after the Gambling Commission raised concerns regarding anti-money laundering controls.

Richard Noble, CEO at Victoria Gate Casino, said the venue had established itself as an important entertainment destination and welcomed the agreement with MERKUR.

“We are proud of what has been built at Victoria Gate Casino and are pleased to be working with MERKUR on the transfer of the venue. They share our commitment to delivering a high-quality customer experience and we look forward to seeing them continue the success of this venue.”

Victoria Gate Casino Leeds is expected to reopen under MERKUR ownership on July 13, beginning a new phase for the city-centre venue.