Leeds 'super casino' temporarily closed as new owners unveil plans for venue
The casino was sold to new owners last week
A Leeds ‘super casino’ has temporarily closed as it’s taken over by new owners.
Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds has been sold to Merkur Casino Entertainment UK after terms were agreed with Leeds City Council last week.
The previous operator, VGC Leeds, had its licence suspended last year after the Gambling Commission raised concerns over measures to prevent money laundering.
The 50,000 sq ft “super casino” opened in 2017 and offers slot machines, table games and roulette at the site on Eastgate.
The new owners have now confirmed the casino closed its doors yesterday (Monday July 6), and will reopen under the Merkur brand on Monday July 13.
Merkur said customers can expect a “full programme of live entertainment and events”, as well as a new customer loyalty scheme.
The casino, which is open 24 hours a day, will continue to offer table games including blackjack, poker and roulette, alongside the slot machines.
Mark Schertle, chief operating officer for MERKUR Casino UK, said: “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.”
“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.”
Richard Noble, CEO at Victoria Gate Casino added: “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.”