The Hippodrome Casino has reached a major milestone, officially welcoming its 20 millionth guest since reopening as a casino in 2012.
Located in Leicester Square in the heart of London’s West End, the venue has evolved into one of the UK’s best-known land-based casino destinations. The landmark figure reflects more than a decade of trading in one of the most competitive hospitality and entertainment markets in Europe.
The milestone was confirmed this month, marking 14 years since the building reopened following a reported £40 million refurbishment.
A Historic Building Reinvented
Originally opened in 1900 as a circus and variety theatre, the Hippodrome has gone through several incarnations over the past century, including time as a nightclub and entertainment venue.
In 2012, the building reopened as a full-scale casino under the ownership of Jimmy and Simon Thomas. Since then, it has expanded its footprint and diversified its offering well beyond traditional gaming.
Today, the venue spans multiple floors and includes three separate casino spaces, London’s largest dedicated poker room, numerous bars, restaurants and live entertainment areas. It positions itself as a broader entertainment complex rather than a standalone gambling venue.
Simon Thomas Reflects On The Milestone
Simon Thomas, founder and chairman of the Hippodrome, reflected on the achievement publicly.
He said: “When Boris Johnson opened the building, he talked about restoring a landmark and putting it back at the centre of London’s entertainment life. That ambition has driven every decision we’ve taken since.”
Discussing the wide range of visitors the venue has attracted over the years, Thomas added: “These twenty million people have come here for all sorts of reasons. First dates. Anniversaries. Time on the tables. Magic Mike Live, followed by a very emotional social media outpouring. Cocktails. Dinners. Poker sessions. Legendary sporting moments. 2am meals before heading home. Birthdays that don’t end early and countless other reasons. The West End, done properly.”
On what the milestone represents, he said: “20 million. It’s not a finish line. Just a moment worth enjoying before getting on with what comes next.”
Beyond The Gaming Floor
While casino gaming remains central, the Hippodrome has invested heavily in expanding its entertainment offering.
One of its most notable additions is Magic Mike Live, the West End stage production associated with Channing Tatum, which has become a significant draw in its own right.
The venue has also developed a retail sportsbook floor in partnership with Paddy Power, featuring extensive live sports coverage and dedicated betting facilities. The move reflects the increasing integration of sports betting within land-based casino environments following regulatory changes in recent years.
For players, the Hippodrome offers table games including roulette and blackjack, a large selection of slot machines, and one of the capital’s most prominent poker operations.
A Key Part Of London’s Night-Time Economy
Averaging well over one million visitors annually since reopening, the Hippodrome has positioned itself as a significant contributor to London’s night-time economy.
Its central West End location gives it access to both tourists and domestic visitors, helping it maintain footfall levels that many regional casinos would struggle to match.
At a time when the UK land-based sector continues to compete with a dominant online gambling market, the venue’s strategy has focused on differentiation — combining gaming with hospitality, dining and live entertainment under one roof.
Operating In A Changing Regulatory Climate
The 20 million guest milestone comes during a period of continued regulatory scrutiny across the UK gambling industry.
Land-based casinos operate under strict licensing conditions set by the Gambling Commission, alongside local authority oversight. In recent years, the wider sector has faced ongoing reviews of consumer protection standards, anti-money laundering procedures and marketing practices.
For large flagship venues such as the Hippodrome, maintaining compliance while continuing to innovate remains a central challenge.
What The Milestone Signals
Reaching 20 million visitors since 2012 underlines the scale of the Hippodrome’s transformation from historic theatre to modern entertainment venue.
While online casinos dominate overall UK gambling revenue, major destination venues in prime locations continue to attract substantial footfall by offering experiences that cannot be replicated digitally.
For the Hippodrome, the figure serves both as a marketing moment and as a marker of longevity in a sector that has undergone significant structural change over the past decade.
As Thomas stated, the milestone is “not a finish line” but a point in an ongoing evolution — one that will likely continue to blend traditional casino gaming with broader entertainment in the years ahead.
