Baroness Twycross, the Minister for Gambling, visited the Hippodrome Casino in London today to gain a deeper understanding of the UK casino sector. The visit comes as the Hippodrome celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. Originally opened in January 1900 with a performance by Charlie Chaplin, the venue has evolved to become one of the most renowned casinos in the West End.
During the visit, Baroness Twycross toured the casino, met with staff, and was accompanied by Hippodrome Executive Chairman Simon Thomas and BGC CEO Grainne Hurst. The UK casino industry plays a significant role in the leisure and tourism sector, employing over 10,000 people and attracting more than 13 million customer visits annually. It contributes £300 million in taxes and generates an estimated £800 million each year to the economy.
The sector is now anticipating modernization reforms as outlined in the White Paper, which focuses on payment methods, gaming machine allocations, and expanding sports betting offerings across all casinos. These changes are expected to help the sector better meet customer needs and expectations.
The tour comes ahead of the BGC Annual General Meeting later this month, where Baroness Twycross will also be in attendance. The BGC represents over 90% of the regulated betting and gaming sector in the UK, including bookmakers, land-based casinos, and online betting and gaming companies.
BGC members contribute £6.8 billion to the UK economy, generate £4 billion in tax revenue, and support 109,000 jobs. According to the most recent NHS Health Survey for England, 0.4% of the adult population is classified as problem gamblers, with the majority of individuals enjoying betting activities responsibly.
Grainne Hurst, BGC CEO, said: “It was fantastic to visit the Hippodrome Casino alongside Baroness Twycross, giving her the chance to meet staff, and learn more about the land-based casino sector and what it offers to customers in towns and cities across the nation.
“The Hippodrome is an iconic venue in the very heart of London which has wowed and entertained crowds for over a century, and it’s doing that today, offering the finest dining, outstanding shows, and of, course the opportunity to pit your wits against the house on the gaming tables.
“The visit was also an opportunity to raise the all-important, and long-promised modernisation proposals which will allow our would leading casinos to grow, thrive, and meet the needs of their customers.
“These reforms would also unlock millions of pounds in investment into towns and cities across the country, allowing land-based casinos to play their part delivering on the Government’s ambitious growth mission.
“We’re now working hard with the government to make that happen, and I’m delighted we could welcome Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross to the Hippodrome, to see what casinos deliver now, but also what they can deliver in the future, with the right reforms.”
Hippodrome Casino Executive Chairman Simon Thomas, said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross to the Hippodrome, and give her a tour of the venue to meet some of our incredible staff.
“There is so much rich history in this iconic venue, which has been dazzling audiences from around the world, for over a century.
“I am proud to say it is still doing that today. Casinos are becoming a mainstream feature of the nighttime entertainment landscape, and the spotlight is on Britain’s world-class casinos, as they innovate and invest.
“The Hippodrome is proud to be a prime example of what the right, balanced legislation can deliver.”
