MERKUR Casino UK, one of the nation’s leading Casino, Adult Gaming Centre and High Street Bingo operators, has completed the acquisition of Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds and will safeguard local jobs as the venue transitions to its new ownership.

The venue, located within the Victoria Gate leisure and retail destination in Leeds city centre, is currently owned and operated by a subsidiary of VGC Developments Ltd. It temporarily closed its doors on 6th July to allow for a seamless handover before reopening under the MERKUR brand on 13th July.

Guests can look forward to a full programme of live entertainment and events, with details of a new customer loyalty scheme set to be announced in due course.

The casino will undergo enhancements in line with MERKUR’s brand standards, further elevating the customer experience while retaining the features guests know and enjoy. Visitors can expect a world-class selection of table games including blackjack, poker and roulette, alongside the latest slot machine games.

This acquisition marks MERKUR’s third casino venue in the UK following the successful launch of its Aberdeen Casino in 2023 and the recent acquisition of the Casino MK in Milton Keynes last year. The move underlines the company’s continued investment in the UK gaming industry and its commitment to supporting the high street, as well as creating local jobs.

Mark Schertle, chief operating officer for MERKUR Casino UK, said: “Leeds is a vibrant city with a strong hospitality and entertainment scene, and we believe Victoria Gate Casino represents an exciting opportunity for MERKUR as we continue to grow our UK casino portfolio. We remain committed to investing in quality leisure venues and supporting the future of land-based gaming in the UK.

“We are also pleased to be able to support local jobs and retain all experienced team members whose passion and professionalism helped make the casino such a well-established destination. We are focused on investing in the venue and look forward to reopening the doors and introducing customers to the MERKUR experience in the months ahead.”

The acquisition forms part of its broader UK growth strategy and reflects its confidence in the long-term future of land-based gaming in the region.

Mark added: “The acquisition of Victoria Gate Casino reflects our confidence in the future of land-based casinos in the UK and our ambition to continue growing the MERKUR brand in key locations. Customers are looking for high-quality entertainment experiences and our focus is on delivering a modern casino environment that combines great gaming, hospitality and customer service. We’re excited about the opportunities in Leeds and look forward to becoming part of the city’s leisure landscape.”

Richard Noble, CEO at Victoria Gate Casino, said: “We are proud of what has been built at Victoria Gate Casino and are pleased to be working with MERKUR on the transfer of the venue. They share our commitment to delivering a high-quality customer experience and we look forward to seeing them continue the success of this venue.”

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Deal expands RubyPlay beyond content into platform-level engagement; transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals.

RubyPlay has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Splash Tech, as the supplier moves beyond content into platform-level engagement tools. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.

RubyPlay said the acquisition will add Splash Tech’s jackpot solution and Free-to-Play casino and sports capabilities to its existing engagement suite, which includes free spins, rewards, missions and tournaments. Following completion, RubyPlay’s operator partners will gain access to the Jackpot and Free-to-Play tools, designed to support engagement across third-party content as well as RubyPlay titles.

The company said Splash Tech’s engagement tools are already live with “some of the biggest operators and platform providers” globally. RubyPlay also said Splash Tech’s real-money jackpot product can turn “any product across all verticals into a jackpot game.”

Tsachi Maimon, CEO of RubyPlay, said: “Through this acquisition, we are moving beyond the traditional content silo to firmly establish RubyPlay as a premium content and engagement platform provider. This elevated market position ensures we are delivering new revenue streams for our partners, providing them with effective ways to address player acquisition and retention.

“Splash Tech has earned a strong reputation within the industry for driving innovation within the engagement tools space, underpinned by its superior expertise, data and content. Bringing the company’s capabilities into our broader offering marks a pivotal moment for RubyPlay’s evolution.”

Adam Wilson, CEO of Splash Tech, said: “Becoming a RubyPlay company will give Splash Tech a stronger foundation for growth, with continuity at the heart of this transition. Existing Splash Tech partners will continue to benefit from the same trusted products, expertise, and relationship focus they expect from us, and we’re looking forward to working alongside new partners with RubyPlay.

“As a global B2B iGaming company with a growing operator network and multi-market reach, RubyPlay brings greater scale, operator insight, and market credibility to support our ambition for further expansion and innovation.”

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Banijay Gaming is to acquire JOA, marking another important step in its strategy to build a European diversified gaming leader in light of evolving customer expectations, from funds managed by Blackstone and Kings Park Capital pursuant to a put option agreement.

JOA is the second-largest casino operator in France, with a nationwide network of 33 casinos rooted in every region generating approximately €430 million in gross revenues in 2025.

Its venues combine gaming with restaurants, bars and a broad range of leisure experiences which attract over 4.6 million yearly customers.

Following the acquisition of Tipico Group in April 2026, this transaction further expands Banijay Gaming’s omnichannel capabilities by adding its digital expertise to JOA’s wide network of land-based entertainment destinations.

At the heart of this transaction is a long-term value creation story: Banijay Gaming will accelerate JOA’s next phase of development in France and internationally.

Responsible gaming remains central to Banijay Gaming’s strategy, with both companies continuing to raise standards and share best practices in line with a common commitment to player protection.

Laurent Lassiaz, Chairman of JOA, will continue to lead JOA alongside the existing management team, ensuring continuity for employees, customers and local stakeholders.

Completion of the transaction is expected during H2 2026, subject to JOA’s employee representatives’ consultation and customary regulatory approvals including merger control and casino gaming regulatory approvals.

Nicolas Béraud, Chairman of Banijay Gaming, said: “Customers increasingly expect seamless experiences across digital and physical environments, and this transaction positions us perfectly to respond to that evolution.

“We look forward to supporting JOA’s next phase of development by bringing our expertise in technology, artificial intelligence and data, while preserving the entrepreneurial culture and operational excellence that have made the company successful.”

Laurent Lassiaz, Chairman of JOA, said: “Joining Banijay Gaming marks an exciting new chapter for JOA. After a successful period with Blackstone and Kings Park Capital, which laid the foundations for our growth, we have found another long-term partner with whom we share a common vision for the future.

“Their expertise in technology and digital innovation will help us accelerate our omnichannel development, while allowing us to preserve the entrepreneurial spirit and local roots that have always been our strength. Together, we will be ideally positioned to pursue our ambitions in France and internationally.”

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