
London’s Hippodrome Casino has had ample reasons to celebrate this week. The iconic venue confirmed that its 20 millionth customer had passed through the doors since its dramatic reopening in 2012. Yes, the grand reopening took place 14 years ago, and the then Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, oversaw the ceremony.
At the time, the reconstruction project cost £40 million. However, the reopening, which restored some of the original features of the building, helped boost the economy through the creation of new jobs. More pertinently, it also provided unforgettable experiences for all those who visited.

Rather than merely being a night out for those in the Capital, the Hippodrome has come to mean so many things for so many people. Whether it has been for hosting high-stakes poker events or serving up culinary treats, the Hippodrome has become a cornerstone of London’s rich cultural fabric.
Upon reaching the special milestone, the Hippodrome posted a short statement on the social media platform X along with a short video. It read: “We’ve just welcomed our 20 millionth customer through the doors of the Hippodrome. Twenty million visits. Twenty million moments.
“From gaming and dining to live entertainment, thank you to everyone who’s been part of the story. Here’s to the next chapter at the Hippodrome.”
Simon Thomas, who is the Hippodrome’s Executive Chairman, and also sits as the Chair of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), hailed the landmark achievement. He said: “What we’ve done here is redefine what a casino means in this country. We’re entertainment first with broad appeal. A core part of the night-time economy.”
Rather than standing still or resting on its laurels, the Hippodrome has found new ways to engage with casino enthusiasts. Although there has been a significant shift towards gamblers favouring UK online casinos, the Hippodrome has stayed ahead of the curve, and it has been a place for players to celebrate all special occasions.
From first dates to anniversaries, the Hippodrome has been at the heart of it all over many years. The Hippodrome famously staged the famous ‘Magic Mike Live’ show, entertaining over 500,000 people, and figures have suggested the venue welcomes more than 10% of all UK casino admissions, underlining its influence in the industry.
While the online casino sphere took a bit of a hit from the Chancellor’s November budget, with duties set to soar from 15% to 25% in April 2027, Thomas insists the work at the Hippodrome is far from done. Despite recognising the incredible feat of 20 million customers, Thomas is adamant that the venue must continue to push on.
He added: “We adapt. We invest. We know what people want and build for it. And we never assume yesterday’s success will carry us through tomorrow. 20 million. It’s not a finish line. It’s just a moment worth enjoying before getting on with what comes next.”
Thomas, who played a key role in the shaping of the Gambling Act in 2005, has been a key figurehead in the casino industry. As the Hippodrome’s majority shareholder, Thomas will be desperate to ensure the Hippodrome stays relevant in the future, despite all the noise concerning developments in the gambling sphere.

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