Baroness Twycross visits Hippodrome to learn more about the UK casino sector

MINISTER for Gambling Baroness Twycross toured the landmark Hippodrome Casino to learn more about the UK casino sector.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the iconic London venue, which first opened in January 1900 with a show starring Charlie Chaplin, and has gone to present some of the West End’s boldest and most innovative new entertainments, including in its most recent incarnation as the legendary Hippodrome Casino.

Baroness Twycross toured the venue and met staff alongside Hippodrome Executive Chairman Simon Thomas, and BGC CEO Grainne Hurst.

UK casinos, a pillar of the leisure and tourism sector, currently employ more than 10,000 people, cater to over 13 million customer visits each year, while contributing £300m annually in taxes, and generating an estimated £800m a year to the economy.

The sector is now waiting on much needed modernisation reforms outlined in the White Paper on payment methods, gaming machine allocations and allowing all casinos to offer sports betting, which will strengthen the sector to better meet the needs and expectations of their customers.

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.