More than 50 jobs lost after Coventry casino closes over 'rising costs'
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2026 9:40 pm
Casino bosses say the business was affected by 'rising costs and wider commercial pressures'
More than 50 jobs have been impacted by the closure of Genting Casino in Coventry. Bosses said rising costs and commercial pressures had affected the viability of the business.
Genting Casino, which opened at the Skydome in 2012, closed on October 1 after exploring various options to keep the business operating. It said remaining open was 'no longer viable' amid wider commercial pressures.
Casino bosses said rising employment costs, business rates, energy bills, and regulatory costs had made trading increasingly difficult for operators. Gaming tax increases have also added to the wider pressures facing the industry, Genting said.
Bosses said the decline of the regulated gambling sector could create opportunities for illegal casinos to emerge. Other Genting sites across the UK will continue trading.
A spokesman for Genting Casinos said: “After exploring every available option, we have made the difficult decision to close the venue, as it is no longer commercially viable to sustain trading, compounded by wider commercial pressures facing the land-based casino sector.
“It demonstrates the real-world consequences of a business environment in which costs continue to rise, while taxation places increasing pressure on commercial viability. In recent years, casinos have absorbed substantial increases in employment costs, business rates, energy costs, and regulatory compliance expenditure, alongside increases in gaming taxation.
“Any increase in Machine Games Duty will force the closure of multiple venues across the country, resulting in the loss of hundreds of skilled jobs and reducing economic activity in towns and cities where casinos form part of the leisure, hospitality and night-time economy. Such closures would also reduce investment in local communities, diminish consumer choice, and ultimately reduce tax revenues from a sector that already makes a significant contribution to the UK economy.
“Furthermore, organised crime is increasingly exploiting the erosion of the regulated gambling sector by establishing illegal casinos on the high street. It is with regret that we deliver this news, and we have worked hard to support colleagues over the consultation period during these difficult circumstances. All other Genting casinos continue to trade and welcome customers as normal.”
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/more-50-jobs-lost-after-34734238
