Sports betting operators, Grosvenor Casinos, to debut physical sportsbooks in September, following a significant legal modification in gambling laws.
As of July 22, 2025, many land-based casinos in the UK, including Grosvenor Casinos, have the opportunity to quadruple the number of high-jackpot "B1" slot machines per venue, according to recent changes in UK laws. This move, part of amendments to the Gambling Act 2005, has been a subject of controversy, as critics argue it contradicts commitments to reduce gambling-related harms and raises concerns about the social impact of slot machine expansions in casinos.
The amendments to the Gambling Act 2005 also include provisions related to converted casino premises licenses in England and Wales, affecting the gaming machines that casinos can offer. This regulatory change is not limited to land-based casinos alone, as MPs reopened a UK gambling inquiry in July 2025 to assess whether current laws are fit for purpose, with a focus on digital gambling growth and enforcement.
In the realm of sports betting, new regulations are tightening requirements for operators. These changes include additional licensing documents, stricter advertising restrictions, and slower approval processes, all aimed at controlling problem gambling risks and enhancing consumer protection.
The impact on Grosvenor Casinos, one of the UK's major land-based casino operators, is likely significant. With the increased number of high-jackpot B1 machines, Grosvenor casinos can potentially increase revenue. However, they also face increased regulatory scrutiny and public criticism, especially as campaigns highlight the potential for increased gambling harms linked to more slot machines. Furthermore, ongoing UKGC research shows betting restrictions are commonly applied to customer accounts, indicating regulatory pressure to limit gambling harms continues across all gambling modalities, including those operated by Grosvenor.
In a positive development, Grosvenor Casinos plans to roll out sports betting terminals in September, likely increasing the availability of sports betting services in the UK. This move is a response to the change in law regarding retail sportsbooks in land-based casinos, which was passed last month and makes it possible for these facilities to offer sports betting services. Grosvenor aims to compete against Adult Gaming Centres with the introduction of sports betting terminals.
The antiquated rules regarding retail sportsbooks in land-based casinos, which previously prohibited such services, made little sense in the face of people's ability to place bets using their phones from within these facilities. The new law allows for the opening of retail sportsbooks in land-based casinos in the UK, a move that Mark Harper, Managing Director of Grosvenor Casinos, believes will help attract more customers.
The change in law regarding retail sportsbooks in land-based casinos is a significant step forward in modernizing the UK's gambling landscape, aligning it with the digital age. As regulatory reform efforts continue, with a renewed parliamentary inquiry signalling a focus on digital gambling growth and enforcement, the future of gambling in the UK promises to be an interesting one to watch.
Grosvenor Casinos, with the introduction of sports betting terminals, aims to expand the availability of sports betting services, trying to compete against Adult Gaming Centres. Enduring increased regulatory scrutiny, Grosvenor Casinos continues to navigate the complexities of sports betting, considering the potential for increased gambling harms linked to more slot machines and stricter requirements imposed on operators in the realm of sports betting.
