button in SafariThe UK Casino Bucking the Trend and Reopening Its Poker Room
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British poker players are set to have another option of where to play cards when Merkur Casino reopens the poker room at its Leeds casino. Casinos around the world, particularly in Las Vegas, have been closing their poker rooms at an alarming rate, but Merkur Casino Leeds is bucking the trend.
In July 2026, Merkur Group acquired the Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds, United Kingdom, for an undisclosed fee. Victoria Gate Casino opened in January 2017 to much fanfare, with Global Gaming Ventures (GGV) investing an estimated £30 million.
The North of England's First Super Casino
The vast casino spans 50,000 square feet and offers 22 blackjack and roulette tables, 75 electronic gaming tables, and more than 170 slots. When the casino first opened to the public, it also featured a 100-capacity poker room.
Despite the best efforts of the poker room manager, who worked tirelessly around the clock to deliver a high-quality poker room for players, the casino's then-management decided to close the poker room around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic and convert the space into additional slots and electronic table games.
Previous Casino Owners Were Plagued With Issues
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the UK's gaming regulator, twice suspended the casino's operating license, most recently in October 2025. At the time of the second suspension, the UKGC posted a statement on its website.
"Serious concerns were identified regarding the adequacy of decision-making processes and the licensee's response to identified anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing risks, raising questions about the overall effectiveness of its governance and risk management arrangements. These failings are considered significant and represent a serious threat to the licensing objectives, in particular, keeping crime out of gambling."
More Than £50 Million In Losses Since Opening
With continuing regulatory issues and having posted more than £50.1 million in losses since opening, it appears that the old management decided to cut their losses and sold the "Super Casino" to the UK arm of the Merkur Group of companies for an undisclosed fee. Merkur also runs casinos in Aberdeen and Milton Keynes, the latter of which was acquired in 2025.
Leeds Poker Room to Follow in Casino MK's Footsteps
Although Merkur has a long history in slots – it has more than 200 UK venues dedicated to slot machines – it is bringing poker back to its newly acquired Leeds casino. In May 2026, Merkur relaunched its poker offering at Casino MK and is following up by bringing poker back to Leeds.
The casino is currently advertising for "experienced poker dealers" on its careers webpage.
Casino MK runs No-Limit Hold'em cash games from 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with blinds of £0.50/£0.50, £1/£1, £1/£2, and £2/£5. There is no mention of tournament poker on its website or social media channels.
Why Are Other Casinos Closing Their Poker Rooms?
Las Vegas, once the home of live poker, has seen more than 40 casinos close their poker rooms since 2012. There were around 60 poker rooms during the "poker boom" of the late 2000s, but only 17 remain.
Resorts World, one of the newest Vegas casinos, opened with a poker room in June 2021 but permanently closed it in March 2026. Planet Hollywood reopened its poker room for a third time in the run-up to the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP), but closed it again in January 2026.
Few poker rooms make significant money for casinos compared to slots and table games. Having the gaming space occupied by poker tables that could accommodate slots and other games is a poor financial decision.
Additionally, live poker doesn't generate much money for the hassle it causes casinos. A room with 10 tables requires at least 10 dealers if full. Cash game rake is capped and doesn't always hit the maximum pot size for the cap to be reached.
Tournament poker can be even worse for income. Players pay a one-off registration fee, then don't spend another penny unless they re-enter the tournament.
Accountants look at these revenue streams, and it clearly shows that using the space for slots and table games is a much more attractive option.
Why is Merkur Bringing Back Live Poker?
Only Merkur is privy to the reasons behind live poker's return to two of its UK casinos. However, despite the negatives highlighted above, there are plenty of positives for live poker.
First, poker players tend to stay at the venue for several hours, increasing spend on food, drinks, and other in-venue amenities.
Never chase losses
Always set limits
Take regular breaks
Second, poker rooms often serve as a funnel for introducing players to slots, blackjack, or roulette during breaks or after they bust out of a tournament.
Additionally, poker tends to attract a dedicated customer base of repeat visitors who form social ties and boost loyalty scheme engagement.
It is great to see a casino valuing such things over generating revenue from slots.
