The future of land-based casinos in the United Kingdom. By Edwin Ford
Gambling is far more than simply playing a game; it is a deeply social and cultural experience that has evolved alongside human society throughout history. Beyond the thrill of chance and competition, gambling brings people together, fostering connection, entertainment and shared moments of excitement.
Within this rich tapestry, classic games like poker and backgammon stand out not only for their strategic depth but also for their ability to engage players in a meaningful social interaction. As the UK’s land-based casino industry enters a new chapter shaped by regulatory reforms, these timeless games offer a powerful way to enhance entertainment, build community and broaden the appeal of casino venues.
The Enduring Legacy and Recent Challenges of Poker and Backgammon
Poker’s journey from 19th century American riverboats to global televised tournaments is a testament to its deep-rooted appeal and adaptability. Originally a player-versus-player game, poker’s evolution introduced house-banked variants such as Caribbean Stud and Three Card Poker. These provided faster game play and more-predictable revenue for operators, while preserving the strategic elements that players cherish.
While the overall casino sector remains strong, it is important to acknowledge that certain card rooms within UK casinos have been reduced in size or closed completely, limiting live-poker availability. This reduction has diminished opportunities for players to experience the authentic, interactive game play where skill, psychology and competition are at the forefront. Compounding this is the risk that limited gaming floor space under the White Paper may be increasingly allocated to slot machines, further marginalizing poker and other skill-based games such as backgammon.
To address this, designated non-gaming areas within casinos should be able to utilize the space to reinstate poker and introduce backgammon lounges. This approach would preserve these classic games and support the growth of their social and skill-based appeal within the evolving casino environment.
Backgammon, with origins nearly 5,000 years old, offers a uniquely strategic challenge that many experts regard as even more skillful than chess. Unlike chess, which relies on the player’s ability to foresee multiple moves ahead, backgammon incorporates the randomness of dice rolls, increasing game volatility, and requiring constant probabilistic calculation and strategic adaptation. This dynamic interplay of skill and chance has fueled backgammon’s global resurgence, with thriving competitive scenes and social clubs across Europe, the Middle East, and increasingly the UK. Despite this growth, backgammon remains underrepresented in many casino offerings, presenting a compelling opportunity to expand soft gaming spaces and diversify entertainment options.
Regulatory Reforms: Unlocking New Possibilities
The UK Gambling Commission’s 2023 White Paper introduces progressive reforms designed to enhance player protection while encouraging innovation and expansion. As we are aware, key changes include increasing the number of slot machines permitted, introducing live sports betting within casinos, and promoting transparency and responsible gambling.
These reforms create an opportunity for UK casinos to diversify beyond traditional gaming floors by integrating electronic gaming, live sports wagering and classic skill-based table games into a cohesive entertainment experience that appeals to a wider demographic. By offering a more-diversified portfolio of games and entertainment options, casinos can reposition themselves as vibrant hubs of social activity and leisure. This would help to dispel outdated perceptions and reduce the stigma that some sectors of society have associated with gambling venues.
Integrated Entertainment Hubs
The future of UK casinos lies in their evolution into dynamic, multi-faceted entertainment hubs that combine:
- Soft gaming lounges featuring skill-driven games like backgammon and live poker, fostering social interaction and friendly competition.
- Dining and bar areas that enhance social engagement and customer experience.
- Live entertainment and cultural events that attract diverse audiences.
- Traditional gaming floors operated with robust player protection and responsible-gambling measures.
Reopening and expanding live poker areas alongside the introduction of backgammon lounges will revitalize social gaming spaces, creating vibrant environments where strategy, skill, and chance come together. This integrated model can help reshape public perceptions of casinos as welcoming destinations focused on community, entertainment and responsible play.
Celebrating the Forward-Thinking of our Operators
UK casino operators deserve congratulations for their responsible, proactive approach to operations and for their collaborative work with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This collective partnership has been built on a foundation of mutual trust and shared success, which has been instrumental in shaping the 2023 Gambling White Paper and in setting a new standard for the industry.
Thanks to their innovation and commitment to player protection, operators have positioned the sector to thrive within the new regulatory landscape. However, it remains essential that the sector balances expansion in slot machines and sports betting with a commitment to preserving and growing classic skill-based games like poker and backgammon.
Learning from Global Successes
International examples demonstrate how integrated entertainment can flourish, such as operations like The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Marina Bay Sands, in Singapore, which combine gaming with luxury dining, nightlife, arts, and culture to attract a wide-ranging clientele. Back home, the London Hippodrome Casino also provides a successful model of varied gaming and live entertainment paired with responsible gambling, one which UK operators can build upon.
Engaging Stakeholders and Communities
The shared vision for UK land-based casinos as integrated entertainment hubs has gained strong recognition through the collaboration between operators, the DCMS and the UKGC. Over many years, the sector has proven its resilience, innovation and responsible conduct. It has earned commendation and the opportunity to now reap the benefits of this progress.
Continued engagement with regulators, communities, tourism boards, and player groups is vital to ensure alignment on safety, innovation and social goals. Marketing efforts should highlight the skill-based, social nature of games like poker and backgammon while emphasizing transparency and responsible gambling. Partnerships with poker and backgammon organizations can further enhance competitive play and education, enriching the player experiences and community involvement.
Conclusion: Reinstating and Growing Classic Games for a Vibrant Future
Poker and backgammon – deeply rooted in history and celebrated for their blend of skill, strategy, and chance — remain central to the identity of land-based casinos. As the UK gaming sector embraces new regulations and opportunities, there is an urgent need to approach the reopening of live-poker areas that have closed, restoring them as vibrant social hubs.
Equally important is the introduction and expansion of backgammon as a core soft-gaming offering, bringing a uniquely dynamic and skillful game back into the spotlight. By incorporating both poker and backgammon into designated non-gaming spaces, alongside the expansion of slots and live sports betting, casinos can create balanced, inclusive environments that appeal to a broad range of visitors.
This integrated approach not only honors the legacy of these classic games but ensures their relevance and growth within the modern casino landscape. The industry would be building a future where tradition and innovation go hand in hand to deliver a rich, engaging, responsible entertainment experience for all.
About Author
Edwin is a highly motivated, flexible and results-driven senior executive with extensive experience in strategy, sales, business development and commercial operations, developed through over a four-decade career in the gaming industry. Training, working and supervising in casino operations to an executive level , spanning over 15 years, he also operated and was a shareholder of several software-development and supply houses, leading development and deployment of new technologies across international markets.
He displays a skill set transferable to almost any business sector, experienced in consulting with the ability to drive any organisation to realize its goals.
In recent years he has handled licensing applications for several companies with a 100 percent success rate. After 46 years in the industry his passion for the sector is still strong.
*** This article was originally published in Casino Life Magazine Issue 179 July 2025 ***
