London's Iconic Hippodrome Casino Welcomes Its 20 Millionth Guest
The Hippodrome Casino in London’s West End welcomed its 20 millionth guest earlier this month.
The venue and trusted UK casino originally opened as a circus and variety theatre in 1900 before undergoing several usage changes, overseen by a host of owners.
It eventually reopened as a casino in 2012 and now offers five floors of gaming and entertainment, billing itself as the “UK’s largest and most popular entertainment and casino venue".
Over the next century, it found use as a variety theatre, nightclub and restaurant.
While owned by Peter Stringfellow, The London Hippodrome nightclub lost its public drinks licence in 2005 and subsequently changed hands in 2006.
After a short run hosting private events, including album launches and awards ceremonies, it was bought by the entrepreneurial father-and-son team, Jimmy and Simon Thomas, in 2009.
Casino Conversion
The Thomas family completed a £40m refurbishment of the property and converted it into a casino, which opened in 2012. Since then, the venue has welcomed 20 million guests, averaging more than 1.4 million visitors a year.
Of the achievement, founder and current chairman, Simon Thomas, 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.
“These 20 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.
“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. A great neighbour.
“The company attempted to recoup millions in VAT payments, arguing that the venue’s multi-use format — spanning sportsbook facilities and its online casino operations - meant it may have overpaid in previous years.”
"Part of the entertainment community. A modern British model that’s attracted attention and plaudits from operators around the world because it works on the ground, night after night.
“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. Just a moment worth enjoying before getting on with what comes next.”
Then Mayor of London Johnson opened the new casino, saying, while describing the London Hippodrome as “yet another ringing endorsement of London as a great place to invest".
On opening, the Hippodrome offered four floors of casino gaming as well as six bars, a restaurant and a cabaret theatre. In the following years, the Rooftop bar and dining area have opened on the fifth floor.
The Hippodrome Today
Today, the venue boasts three separate casinos, a live WSOP poker floor, nine bars and multiple dining experiences.
It is also home to the Magic Mike Live London show, produced by Channing Tatum.
The Magic Mike show has had its run extended to January 2027, having attracted more than 850,000 guests.
In October 2025, the venue reported the opening of the UK's first-of-its-kind land-based sportsbook floor, in conjunction with Paddy Power bookmaker.
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The sportsbook features nearly 100 screens showing live events and betting windows to place wagers, while the venue’s online casino offering provides customers with additional ways to play remotely.
While in-person sportsbooks are popular in Las Vegas and other parts of the US, only recent gambling reforms made such venues feasible in the UK, where online casino platforms and licensed UK slot sites have long dominated the market.
However, the Hippodrome hasn’t had everything its way.
The company had attempted to recoup millions in VAT payments, claiming that the venue’s multi-use format - spanning sportsbook facilities and its online casino operations - means it may have overpaid in previous years.
However, an HMRC tribunal found against the Hippodrome.
