Table Of Content :

Home News New BGC Study Reveals How 72% of Casino Visitors Support Britain's High Streets

New BGC Study Reveals How 72% of Casino Visitors Support Britain’s High Streets

From exclusive events and interviews to real-time market trends, Ace Alliance brings you unbiased, well-informed, and data-driven content. Our editorial team adheres to strict editorial standards, ensuring that the information you receive is not only relevant but also trustworthy.

Built by market experts hosting events since 2023, with our first event in Riga, Latvia gathering over 300 top level iGaming industry executives, Ace Alliance is able to provide you with reliable information from direct interaction with experts and leaders in the sector.

Altay Celikkaya

Content Manager

Updated: 16/10/26

Reading Time: 3 minutes

British casinos are helping attract visitors to town and city centres, with 72.1% of surveyed customers visiting at least one other local business during their casino trip, according to new research published by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).

The findings were presented on 14 October 2026 at London’s Hippodrome Casino during an event hosted by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA). The study examines how land-based casinos support hospitality, tourism, and the wider night-time economy as operators prepare to invest more.

BGC research on casinos supporting Britain's high streets, featuring the UK flag and Big Ben.

Industry News

Key Takeaways From the BGC Casino Research

72.1% of surveyed casino visitors used at least one other local business during their trip.
55% said they probably or definitely would not have visited the area without the casino.
41.1% reported that they would otherwise have stayed at home.
Britain’s 108 licensed casinos attract approximately 14 million visits annually.
Operators are planning around £200 million in investment over the next five years.

Casino Visits Generate Additional Local Business Activity

According to the BGC’s official research announcement, casinos increasingly operate as entertainment destinations rather than gambling-only venues. The report, Beyond Gaming: The Evolution of Britain’s Land-Based Casinos as Nightlife Destinations, highlights their connections with restaurants, bars, hotels and surrounding businesses.

More than half of surveyed visitors indicated that the casino influenced their decision to visit the local area. The findings suggest that casino activity can support additional spending throughout the hospitality sector, although the survey does not establish the total economic value generated by these visits.

BGC Chief Executive Grainne Hurst said:

Casinos are about much more than gaming.

The research reflects the continued importance of physical venues despite faster growth in online gambling revenue in Britain.

British Casinos Plan £200 Million in Investment

The BGC estimates that Britain’s 108 licensed casinos support approximately 14,000 direct and indirect jobs. Operators have identified around £200 million in planned capital investment over five years, including improvements to hospitality facilities, entertainment offerings and customer experiences.

The plans follow gambling reforms introduced in 2025, which created additional opportunities for land-based casino modernisation. Operators are also preparing for new Category B gaming machine requirements scheduled to take effect in stages from 2027. These developments could influence technology investment, venue design and operational planning.

Tax Uncertainty Raises Questions Over Investment Plans

Despite the proposed investment, the BGC has warned that potential changes to Machine Games Duty could affect business confidence. The sector is seeking greater certainty over future operating costs as the government considers gambling-related fiscal measures.

The BGC’s Back Our Betting Shops campaign has raised similar concerns, highlighting financial pressures affecting Britain’s retail gambling industry. The research comes from an industry representative organisation, meaning its conclusions should be understood within that context.

What Does the Research Mean for Casino Operators?

The findings highlight opportunities for land-based casinos to strengthen partnerships with hospitality, tourism and entertainment businesses. For B2B suppliers, the planned investment could create demand for venue technology, gaming equipment and customer experience solutions.

However, investment decisions will depend partly on future tax arrangements and operating conditions. For Britain’s casino sector, the research provides further evidence of its potential contribution to local economic activity beyond gambling revenue alone.