Victoria Gate Casino has had its license suspended due to serious concerns regarding anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing risks.
The Leeds venue was closed on Friday after the Gambling Commission withdrew its operating license and started an investigation into ‘significant failings.’
The UK watchdog said a compliance assessment had flagged concerns the casino ‘failed to maintain and implement effective anti-money laundering policies, procedures and controls as required under the conditions of their license.’
With a letter on the front door of the building, the casino confirmed the temporary suspension and added they hoped to welcome back customers very soon.
In a statement, the Gambling Commission wrote: “Serious concerns were identified regarding the adequacy of decision-making processes and the licensee’s response to identified anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist 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.”
The 50,000 square foot ‘super casino,’ located in the Victoria Leeds Shopping Centre, opened in 2017 and it was billed as one of a kind for the Yorkshire region.
It has 22 live betting tables alongside 175 slots and electronic roulette games. Victoria Gate Casino has been penalised before, fined £450,000 in 2021 for an array of social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures.
In a similar case, last month the operator behind major UK gambling firm Unibet, Platinum Gaming, was fined £10 million by the Gambling Commission due to failures to enforce safer gambling and anti-money laundering measures.
Victoria Gate Casino cost around £30 million to be built and when it was opened, became the third-largest casino in the United Kingdom. Operated by Global Gaming Ventures, it features a live sports bar, a champagne and cocktail bar as well as a restaurant.
The casino committed to recruiting at least 90% 0f employees from within the local region and with a capacity of 1,400 it is the largest casino in the North of England and Scotland.
Joe Lyons is a betting industry writer for GamblingIndustryNews with years of experience on reputable gambling websites. Joe specialises in long form content in the world of sports betting and gambling. Joe is recognised as an expert in sports fields such as horse racing, soccer, NFL and NBA.
