The £13 million (US21.1198 million) South West Wales Aspers Swansea Casino is considering reopening after closing its doors in 2012.

A decision to close the Wind Street casino was made when it was deemed to not have long-term economic unsuitability after being open for just five years. Sixty employees lost their jobs when the largest casino, at that time, in Wales was closed, and 20 accepted jobs at the London location. According to a spokeswoman for Aspers they intentionally retained operating licenses and still hold the lease for the premises. A more positive economic landscape was cited as the reason for the consideration.

Aspers had hoped the casino would garner 10,000 visitors a week and £4.5 million in spending during its first year, but parts of Wales were affected by poor economic conditions and Aspers Swansea’s numbers were considerably less than expected. But since the 2012 closing, “Aspers has become the fastest growing casino company in the UK and has enjoyed phenomenal success with our ‘super casino’ in Stratford, London, as well as also successfully opening another large license venue in Milton Keynes, according to the company’s spokesperson.

The company feels the economic landscape, especially in South Wales, has improved and will consider a smaller venue catering to the local market.

A welcomed announcement for Russell Greenslade, chief executive of the Swansea Business Improvement District, who said, “It’s positive news that Aspers are considering re-opening in Swansea city centre in their old Wind Street premises. The recent announcements of the proposed exciting regeneration plans for the city centre and the recent recruitment of new businesses at Coastal Group’s Castle Quarter development has helped raise the profile of the city centre to operators such as Aspers, the fastest growing casino company in the UK.”

Poker star, Robert Romanello calls Swansea home which at this time has only one casino, the Grosvenor G Cardiff Casino, which is approximately an hour’s drive away.