BGC: 72% of Casino Visitors Support Other Local Businesses
United Kingdom.- 15 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has released new research highlighting the role of land-based casinos in revitalising British high streets and supporting the economic activity of restaurants, bars, hotels and other neighbouring businesses.
According to the report, 72.1% of surveyed casino customers visited at least one other local business during their casino trip, while 41.1% said they would otherwise have stayed at home.
The findings come amid ongoing discussions concerning gambling taxation, with casino operators planning approximately £200 million in capital investment over the next five years.
Casinos Generate Activity Beyond Gaming
The report, Beyond Gaming: The Evolution of Britain’s Land-Based Casinos as Nightlife Destinations, examines how casinos are developing into broader hospitality, leisure and entertainment destinations.
Its principal findings include:
- 41.1% of surveyed customers would otherwise have stayed at home.
- 55% said they probably or definitely would not have visited the local area.
- 72.1% used at least one additional local business during their visit.
The results suggest that casinos can attract visitors to urban centres and encourage economic activity among surrounding businesses.
An Industry Supporting 14,000 Jobs
The research also highlights the economic scale of Britain’s land-based casino industry.
The country currently has 108 licensed casinos, which collectively:
- Attract approximately 14 million visits annually.
- Support around 14,000 direct and indirect jobs.
- Generate activity for restaurants, hotels and entertainment businesses.
- Contribute to visitor footfall in town and city centres.
The BGC believes these figures demonstrate that casinos’ economic contribution extends beyond revenue generated directly by gaming tables and machines.
Research Presented at London’s Hippodrome Casino
The findings were unveiled on 14 October 2026 during an event organised by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) at London’s Hippodrome Casino.
The event brought together representatives from the night-time entertainment and gambling sectors.
Discussions focused on the contribution casinos can make to high-street regeneration and the diversification of the night-time economy.
The research also seeks to strengthen recognition of casinos within the national debate surrounding urban regeneration.
Statements From Michael Kill
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, emphasised that British high streets need businesses capable of attracting visitors and encouraging spending in local communities.
He highlighted that more than four in ten surveyed casino customers would otherwise have remained at home.
Kill also noted that almost three-quarters visited another local business during their casino trip.
According to the executive, modern casinos support employment, hospitality and entertainment, making their contribution relevant to discussions about high-street regeneration.
Statements From Grainne Hurst
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, argued that casinos perform a broader economic function than gambling alone.
She highlighted their role as entertainment destinations that create employment opportunities and attract visitors into towns and cities.
Hurst also noted that restaurants, hotels, bars and other tourism-related businesses benefit from the activity surrounding casino venues.
She believes the research provides a clearer picture of the sector’s contribution to local economic development.
£200 Million in Planned Investment
The publication coincides with modernisation projects being prepared by casino operators across Britain.
According to the BGC, the industry has identified approximately £200 million in planned capital investment over the next five years.
The projects include improvements to:
- Hospitality and dining facilities.
- Entertainment spaces.
- Customer experiences.
- Venue infrastructure.
- Leisure services beyond traditional gaming.
These investments aim to strengthen casino competitiveness and expand the sector’s contribution to the wider leisure and entertainment economy.
The 2025 Reforms Created New Opportunities
The BGC linked the industry’s investment plans to gambling reforms introduced by the British Government in 2025.
According to the organisation, the changes created new opportunities for land-based casinos to modernise and diversify their commercial activities.
The industry considers a stable regulatory environment essential for delivering the planned investments.
Operators intend to use the new framework to upgrade their venues and introduce experiences combining gambling with other entertainment services.
Concerns Over Gaming Machine Taxation
Despite the opportunities identified, the sector remains concerned about potential changes to Machine Games Duty (MGD), which applies to certain gaming machines.
The uncertainty comes ahead of the Government’s forthcoming Autumn Budget.
The BGC warns that additional taxation could affect venue profitability and reduce operators’ capacity to finance new investment.
Hurst emphasised that businesses require certainty and confidence before committing resources to long-term projects.
The organisation believes further tax pressures could delay developments intended to modernise casinos and support high-street regeneration.
Casinos as Broader Entertainment Destinations
One of the report’s central findings concerns the evolution of land-based casinos into more comprehensive entertainment venues.
Modern establishments increasingly combine restaurants, bars, live entertainment and other leisure experiences, attracting customers with different interests.
This transformation can create commercial opportunities for neighbouring businesses.
The BGC’s research argues that these wider effects should be considered when assessing the casino industry’s economic contribution.
However, the reported percentages are based on surveyed customer responses and do not directly measure additional spending at surrounding businesses.
Next Steps and Impact
The Betting and Gaming Council’s research highlights the potential contribution of land-based casinos to Britain’s high-street economy.
The finding that 72.1% of surveyed visitors used another local business supports the view that casino activity can generate economic benefits beyond the venues themselves.
With 108 casinos, approximately 14,000 jobs and nearly 14 million annual visits, the sector represents a significant component of Britain’s entertainment industry.
However, the delivery of the planned £200 million in investment will depend on the economic and regulatory conditions facing operators.
The debate surrounding Machine Games Duty will remain an important factor in determining whether businesses can proceed with their modernisation and expansion projects.
Editó: @fonta
