Hippodrome Casino in London Looks Set To Expand
The Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square, London, could be set to expand following the purchase of a neighbouring arcade.
Crystal Rooms Adult Gaming Centre was sold to the Hippodrome Casino by Praesepe for an undisclosed sum following a shift in business strategy by its former owners. The group owns 71 adult gaming centres throughout Greater London, but has been growing its presence in coastal areas. It appears the company is now focussing on this area of its business.
"We believe the energy and overall resource required to remain at the top of the game in central London can be deployed more effectively throughout what is a growing business employing some 1,600 staff nationally," explained Praesepe CEO Nick Harding.
Situated in the heart of central London's hospitality and leisure district, the Hippodrome Casino has grown into one of the busiest casinos in the United Kingdom and has become a popular live entertainment venue. Under the guidance of CEO Simon Thomas, the Hippodrome continues to flourish and the purchase of the Crystal Rooms Adult Gaming Centre looks set to see the Hippodrome Casino progress to new heights.
"This is a significant new opportunity for the Hippodrome business," said Thomas. "It not only allows us to extend the current gaming offer but delivers a significant platform at street level to showcase the magnificent range of entertainment facilities within the building. We have ambitious new plans for the space in the months ahead, so watch this space."
What Lies in Store for the Hippodrome Casino?
Although Thomas has refused to reveal what his "ambitious new plans" for the company's new premises are, one school of thought is that it could be renovated and turned into a new poker room. The Hippodrome Casino is the home to PokerStars LIVE and hosts regular United Kingdom and Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT) series events. Back in 2013, the venue hosted also the European Poker Tour (EPT) London festival.
While the current poker room inside The Hippodrome Casino is a beautiful place to play poker, it somewhat lacks in available floor space and capacity when compared to some of the venues the UKIPT and EPT visit. Expanding its poker room seems like the next logical step for the partnership with PokerStars and would allow it to host major poker festivals throughout the year.
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