Leading UK casino operator, MERKUR Casino UK, has completed the acquisition of Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds, safeguarding local jobs under new ownership.
Leading UK casino operator MERKUR Casino UK has completed the acquisition of Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds. The new owners safeguard local jobs.
Located in Victoria Gate shopping centre in Leeds city centre, the casino, one of the largest by size in the UK, has been purchased by MERKUR from a subsidiary of VGC Developments Ltd and opened under the MERKUR brand on Monday 13 July.
Visitors to the casino can expect top table games like blackjack, poker, and roulette. They can also enjoy the latest slot machines.
This acquisition marks MERKUR’s third casino venue in the UK. It follows the successful launch of Aberdeen Casino in 2023. It also follows the recent acquisition of Casino MK in Milton Keynes last year.
The move shows the company’s continued investment in the UK gaming industry. It also shows its commitment to supporting the high street. The move will help preserve and create local jobs.
A specialist, multi-disciplinary team at Knights advised MERKUR on the acquisition. The team was led by Corporate Partner, James Sparks, supported by Paul Batchelor, Ashley Simpson and Daniel Bolderston in Corporate, Krystal Gibbins and Mark Anton-Smith in Real Estate, Daniel Mackelden, Milena Falciano-Padron and George Maynard in Commercial and Katie Sharman and Jenny Colver in Employment.
Egemen Coskun, CFO of MERKUR Casino UK, said:
“Leeds is a vibrant city with a strong hospitality and entertainment scene, and we believe this casino represents a fantastic 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.
“I’d like to thank James and the team at Knights for their hard work and collaborative approach throughout the transaction. Their ability to bring together the right specialists and work closely with our team helped support a smooth process and a successful outcome.”
James Sparks, Corporate Partner at Knights, added:
“It was a pleasure to have advised MERKUR on yet another exciting transaction, having supported the team through their previous purchase of Casino MK last year. I’m looking forward to seeing the casino at Victoria Gate flourish in its prime city centre location and wish the management and wider MERKUR team the very best in their latest exciting venture.”