Casinos owned by Grosvenor to Debut Retail Sports Betting Shops in September, Following Pivotal Law Adjustment
UK Law Allows Expansion of Retail Sports Betting and Slot Machines in Casinos
A significant shift in gambling regulations in the UK has been announced, allowing land-based casinos to quadruple the number of high-jackpot slot machines and introduce retail sportsbooks. This change, effective from July 2025, was passed by lawmakers last month and is expected to modernize the gambling industry, respond to technological advancements, and potentially increase revenue.
The antiquated rule of no retail sportsbooks in land-based casinos made little sense due to the ease of mobile betting, making the prohibition redundant. The new law aims to adapt to changes in technology and consumer behavior, allowing people to place bets using their phones from within land-based casinos.
Grosvenor Casinos, a major UK land-based casino operator with over 50 locations, plans to take advantage of this change. Their Managing Director, Mark Harper, believes the introduction of sports betting terminals will attract more customers to their locations, starting from September, subject to regulatory approval. Grosvenor Casinos aims to compete against Adult Gaming Centres with this new offering.
The regulatory reforms in 2025 emphasize stricter enforcement and tighter licensing requirements across the UK gambling sector, including more rigorous customer checks and affordability reviews. While detailed specific UK statutory changes for sports betting in land casinos are limited, recent regulatory scrutiny highlights increased oversight for all gambling operators, reflecting a broader trend toward mitigating problem gambling risks and adapting to a rapidly evolving market.
The change in law also allows casinos to have a greater number of gaming machines on their property. Recent changes have significantly expanded the number of high-jackpot "B1" slot machines allowed in land-based casinos, increasing the limit from 20 to 80 machines per venue starting 22 July 2025. This shift effectively permits casinos to offer four times as many high-stakes slot machines than before.
However, this regulatory change has been contentious and may heighten local authority involvement and public debate about gambling harms. Critics, including the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, argue this expansion ignores official statistics on the harm caused by slot machines and suggest that new regulations should give local authorities more control over slot machine gambling.
The ongoing parliamentary inquiries and the UK Gambling Commission are actively reviewing the regulatory framework to ensure it is fit for purpose in 2025, reflecting a climate of reform and enforcement intensification. Additionally, increased gambling taxes or levies proposed for later in 2025 could affect the profitability and operational costs of casino operators like Grosvenor Casinos.
In summary, the UK has passed a measure to allow retail sportsbooks to operate in land-based casinos and has increased the number of high-jackpot slot machines allowed in casinos. This regulatory change aims to modernize gambling regulations in the UK, respond to technological advancements, and potentially increase revenue for both land-based casinos and retail sportsbooks. However, it has also sparked debate about gambling harms and the need for increased local authority involvement and public oversight.
People can now place bets on sports using their phones while in land-based casinos, made possible by the new law that allows retail sportsbooks in these establishments. Grosvenor Casinos, a major UK operator, plans to capitalize on this shift, intending to introduce sports betting terminals starting from September, subject to approval.
