MERKUR Adds Leeds Casino as UK Portfolio Reaches Three Sites
MERKUR Casino UK has completed its acquisition of Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds. The deal takes the operator’s UK casino portfolio to three properties. The city-centre venue closed temporarily on 6 July and will reopen under the MERKUR brand on 13 July.
The seller is a subsidiary of VGC Developments Ltd. MERKUR did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction.
MERKUR confirmed it will retain all current employees at the Leeds property. The company also plans to invest in the site and introduce its own customer loyalty programme, though it has not provided a launch date or investment figure.
Table games remain part of the offer, including blackjack, poker and roulette, alongside the venue’s slot machines. MERKUR said it will also host live entertainment and events once the venue reopens.
MERKUR Expands UK Land-Based Footprint
The deal gives MERKUR its third casino in the UK. The company opened a casino in Aberdeen in 2023 and acquired Casino MK in Milton Keynes in 2025.
Mark Schertle, chief operating officer at MERKUR Casino UK, said the Leeds deal supports the group’s plan to grow in key UK locations and invest in land-based gambling properties.
“The acquisition of Victoria Gate Casino reflects our confidence in the future of land-based casinos in the UK and our ambition to continue growing the MERKUR brand in key locations,” Schertle said.
Schertle added that the company plans to combine gaming, hospitality and customer service at the property. MERKUR will retain the casino’s current features and align the site with its brand standards.
Richard Noble, CEO of Victoria Gate Casino, said the current owner had worked with MERKUR on the transfer and expects the buyer to develop the property further.
Beyond this deal, MERKUR also operates adult gaming centres and high street bingo venues across the UK. Its wider casino portfolio now spans Scotland, South East England and northern England.
💡TGJ Take
MERKUR builds its UK casino portfolio through targeted acquisitions rather than a large-scale rollout. The decision to retain the Leeds team reduces operational disruption and gives the buyer an established workforce ahead of the 13 July relaunch. For competing land-based operators, the deal shows that well-positioned city-centre casinos can still attract investment despite pressure on retail gambling costs. The missing detail is the purchase price, which makes it difficult to assess how aggressively MERKUR values further UK expansion opportunities.
