The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has suspended the licence of Victoria Gate Casino (VGC) in Leeds following serious anti-money laundering (AML) and compliance breaches. The suspension, effective immediately from 31 October, came after the regulator determined that the casino may be unsuitable to continue operating under its current conditions.
In a statement, the UKGC confirmed that its compliance assessment uncovered multiple failings, including inadequate AML policies, ineffective decision-making, and insufficient oversight of counter-terrorist financing measures. These shortcomings, the Commission said, were “significant” and posed a serious risk to the regulator’s licensing objectives.
This enforcement action follows a £450,000 fine imposed on the operator in 2021 for similar issues related to social responsibility and AML deficiencies. The recurrence of such failings led to the regulator’s decision to initiate a full review and suspend operations pending further investigation.
A notice posted at the Leeds city centre casino confirmed its closure, while management expressed hope of reopening soon after addressing the regulator’s concerns. The venue, which housed 22 live betting tables and over 170 slot and roulette games, now stands as one of the most high-profile suspensions of 2025.
The decision follows closely after the UKGC’s temporary suspension of crash game pioneer Spribe, signalling the regulator’s increasingly firm stance on compliance enforcement. This latest move reinforces the Commission’s message that all operators large or small must maintain robust systems to prevent financial crime and protect players.
