Hippodrome Casino’s Simon Thomas Publically Accepts UK Casino Regulation Updates

The executive chair and majority shareholder at The Hippodrome Casino in London, Simon Thomas, has recently shared his thoughts on the UK government’s new suggestions for updating land-based casino rules. Thomas believes that the current regulations, dating back to the 1960s (and tweaked in 2005), have held venues back. He states that these new updates could give casinos more room to respond to how people like to spend their time today. Rather than seeing this as shiny extras, Hippodrome Casino’s executive chair sees this as a way to give venues a chance to match what players expect from modern entertainment.

The Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) proposed directly targeting land-based casinos. Some of the key aspects of this proposal include easing the minimum table area for smaller casinos under the 2005 Act, raising the limit on Category G gaming machines to 80 per venue, and enforcing a 5:1 machine-to-table ratio across both older and newer venues. Another element of the proposal would allow sports betting in land-based casinos, which would open up a new income source for venues. Thomas spoke with news outlets, describing this proposal and sensible steps rather than dramatic changes that could make a real difference.

Online gambling has surged in popularity, especially mobile casino apps. Casino expert Wilna van Wyk says that players enjoy accessing a wide variety of games from their phones, which they can do whenever they want. For players, it’s more convenient to make instant deposits, take part in quick tournaments, or try out live dealer games at their own time. For land-based venues, these factors make mobile casinos hard to beat in terms of player flexibility and freedom. Thomas believes land-based venues can learn from these models by finding a way to offer a smoother experience in-house.

He also admitted that the casino industry has had a rough time keeping pace with both online rivals and international competitors. He called the proposed updates “modest” but emphasised that they bring land-based casinos closer to parity.

A big part of what Thomas said focused on the impact on local economies. He argued that casinos play an important role in city centres by providing jobs, drawing tourists, and boosting foot traffic to surrounding businesses like restaurants, entertainment venues, and shops. He said that when venues can offer more choices in a regulated format, they contribute to livelier high streets and local vibrancy.

Thomas complimented the DCMS on how clearly the rules have been drafted. He praised the department for avoiding overly complex legal jargon, making it easier for operators and advisors to pinpoint what changes mean in practice. This transparency, he said, supports ongoing discussion and trust, adding that it feels like policy-makers have actually listened to industry concerns.

Other casino executives have echoed his view. While acknowledging the updates do not go far enough compared with some global markets, many agree they represent the most significant reforms in years.

As Parliament considers the DCMS proposals, Thomas said he’s hopeful. He imagines London’s Hippodrome and other casinos using the new rules to improve table layouts, introduce more varied machine choices, and add sports betting terminals.

If the plans pass, he thinks regulated venues will gain the tools to meet expectations shaped by digital platforms without losing their place in the real world.