Merkur Casino Entertainment UK is set to acquire Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds after agreeing to the transfer of the venue’s large casino premises license with Leeds City Council.
The council confirmed that the license, which is currently held by VGC Leeds Ltd, will transfer to Merkur Casino Entertainment UK as part of the transaction. The licensing committee approved the arrangements during its June 30 meeting.
According to a licensing report, “The Gambling Act 2005 limited the number of new large casinos nationally and identified a small number of authorities, including Leeds, that were permitted to grant such a licence.
“VGC Leeds Ltd has now agreed to sell the casino business to Merkur Casino Entertainment UK Ltd, with completion anticipated at the end of June 2026, which will result in transfer of the large casino premises licence between the parties.”
Existing operations to continue
Victoria Gate Casino opened in 2017 at Eastgate in Leeds. The 50,000-square-foot venue offers slot machines, table games, roulette and live sports screenings. It operates 24 hours a day.
The existing license agreement will be updated as ownership transfers to the new operator.
The committee also received confirmation that the casino’s Social Inclusion Fund will remain in place for another two years. According to the report, “The continuation of the Social Inclusion Fund ensures the ongoing delivery of externally funded community benefits.”
The fund supports community projects across Leeds under an existing agreement linked to the casino’s operations.
Previous regulatory action
The transaction follows regulatory action involving the current operator. Last year, the Gambling Commission suspended VGC Leeds Ltd’s operating license after raising concerns about the casino’s anti-money laundering controls.
On November 25, the regulator reinstated the license after confirming that the operator had taken “significant action” to improve its procedures.