Bombay Club, the luxury casino and hospitality venue developed by Bombay Group in Tallinn’s Old Town, has ceased operations as parent company Yolo Group moves away from land-based gambling activities in Estonia.
The casino closed on September 30, while Shang Shi, the Cantonese fine-dining restaurant that formed part of the original project, is scheduled to serve its final guests on November 15. The decision brings an end to one of the most ambitious gaming and hospitality investments undertaken in the Estonian market in recent years.
The closure follows a broader strategic shift within Yolo Group, which has increasingly focused on technology services, regulated online gambling operations and business-to-business offerings for international gaming companies.
In a statement to customers, Bombay acknowledged the significance of the decision.
“This was not an easy decision, and we are truly grateful to everyone who has been part of our journey,” the company said according to Äripäev.
High-End Casino Project Falls Short of Expectations
Bombay Club opened in August 2024 after more than five years of development work and an investment that the company valued at €75 million. Located in two restored buildings on Rataskaevu Street near Tallinn’s Town Hall Square, the project combined a luxury casino, boutique accommodation, premium dining and high-end entertainment under one concept.
The venue featured 11 gaming tables, private gaming salons, Michelin-recognized dining venues and The Burman boutique hotel, which holds two Michelin Keys. The operation also introduced a fully cashless environment powered through Yolo Wallet and integrated cryptocurrency payment capabilities.
When launching the project, the group promoted Tallinn as a destination capable of attracting affluent international gambling customers who might otherwise visit established gaming centers such as Las Vegas, London, Macau or Monte Carlo. The venue focused on high-net-worth guests seeking a private gambling and hospitality experience.
“Yolo Group has invested a lot of resources into setting up Bombay for success, and we are now expanding the operations to start delivering against our ambitious strategic direction,” Anita Brinke, then CEO of Bombay Group, said at the time.
Despite the scale of the investment and the prestige associated with the property, financial performance failed to meet expectations. Bombay Group reported annual losses of €19 million while liabilities approached €150 million. The venue’s operating model relied heavily on spending levels that ultimately did not materialize.
The company gradually reduced operations as part of efforts to improve profitability. More than 100 positions were eliminated in late 2025, followed by further workforce reductions in early 2026. Daily gaming operations were eventually replaced with gaming services available only through prior arrangements.
Workforce Reductions and Strategic Refocus
The closure forms part of a wider restructuring effort undertaken by both Bombay Group and Yolo Group over the past year.
Bombay Group began reducing staff numbers in late 2025, while reports indicate that by March 2026 more than 250 jobs had been lost across restructuring efforts. Yolo Group had previously announced layoffs in Estonia as it consolidated business activities and shifted attention toward regulated markets.
Maarja Pärt, a member of Yolo Group’s supervisory board, said the company is currently consulting with employees as part of the collective redundancy process.
According to the company, all affected workers will receive redundancy packages under standard restructuring procedures. However, the total number of positions impacted by the closure has not been publicly confirmed.
Customers who still hold funds in their Yolo Wallet accounts have been instructed to transfer balances to their bank accounts by November 30, 2026.
Pärt also emphasized that Bombay Club had primarily targeted international visitors rather than the domestic market. “Offering gambling services aimed solely to the Estonian market has never been part of the company’s strategy,” said Pärt.
The group’s online gambling brands, including Yolo.com and Bombaycasino.com, have also gone offline as part of the restructuring and scaling back of business-to-consumer gambling operations.
At the same time, Yolo Group continues to expand its technology and service offerings for gaming operators. The company has increasingly prioritized business services while pursuing opportunities in regulated international markets. Last year, subsidiaries Hub88 Holdings and Live Online Gaming Services secured gaming-related vendor licenses from the United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority.
Impact on Tallinn’s Poker and Hospitality Landscape
The closure also marks another setback for Tallinn’s live poker community.
Before Bombay Club became the company’s flagship venue, the ownership group operated Chesterfield Poker Club near the Old Town. Chesterfield hosted several poker events, including the Coolbet Open and Chesterfield 500 tournament series, while also running a Bad Beat Jackpot that exceeded €100,000 before the venue closed in November 2025.
Operations and promotional activities from Chesterfield were transferred to Bombay Club following that closure. However, regular gaming activities at Bombay Club were later scaled back, leaving Tallinn without either venue within a relatively short period.
While Bombay Club occupied a niche focused on luxury gaming and hospitality, other operators continue to support the region’s poker market. Events such as the Kings of Tallinn series remain part of the local calendar, while established venues continue serving players from the Baltics, Scandinavia and other international markets.
Although gambling activities at Bombay Club have ended, Yolo Group will retain a presence at the property. The Burman hotel will continue operating, and the former casino building will be repurposed for private functions and special events.