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Published on: October 6, 2025, 08:53h.
Revised on: October 6, 2025, 08:53h.
- Genting Secures Approval to Transform Trocadero into a Casino
- Historic Late-Victorian Venue Set to Feature Gaming and Dining Experiences
- Opposition Voices Concerns Over Impact on West End Nightlife
The iconic London Trocadero is poised for a transformation into a casino, pending approval from Malaysian gaming powerhouse Genting.
Recently, Westminster City Council’s planning officers endorsed Genting’s proposal, which envisions a gaming area of up to 16,000 square feet distributed across the basement and first floor. In addition, the plan includes a restaurant and several food and beverage outlets on the upper levels.
This grand, Baroque architectural masterpiece from the late-Victorian era has remained mostly vacant since the closure of SegaWorld in 2011, which later rebranded as Funland. Originally an indoor amusement park, it even featured a massive Sonic the Hedgehog statue at its entrance and was home to the UK’s first IMAX cinema starting in 1997.
Reviving Past Glory
Today, aside from a few retail operations, including currency exchanges and a shop dedicated to Union Jack souvenirs for tourists, part of the Trocadero complex is now occupied by the newly established Zedwell Piccadilly hotel.
Some attractions remain in a limited capacity, such as the Crystal Maze LIVE Experience, inspired by the beloved British gameshow, which operates within the complex.
A Muslim prayer area continues to function in the building’s lower level. Plans to develop this space into a mosque were greenlit in 2023, although the project has yet to materialize. Given that Islamic teachings generally prohibit gambling, there could be tensions if both developments proceed simultaneously.
Genting anticipates a potential opening date in October 2026, though this timeline has not yet been confirmed by planning officials. The developer stresses that their plan aims to preserve the historic integrity of the structure through a careful retrofit, maintaining facades and architectural features while updating the interiors.
Local Concerns Addressed
The proposal faces opposition from the Soho Society, a local community group, which contends that adding another gambling venue in an area saturated with nightlife could heighten antisocial behavior and lead to an overabundance of late-night entertainment options.
Genting has dismissed claims that the venue will be predominantly focused on alcohol sales, underscoring that UK casinos operate under stringent regulations and will adhere to a comprehensive management plan, reported The Standard.
Westminster planning officers sided with the casino developer, asserting that the proposed establishment would effectively replace a former nightclub, thereby fitting into the existing entertainment landscape. They noted that the area has historically been a center for late-night activity, and a well-regulated casino could coexist peacefully without disrupting public order.
If the redevelopment goes ahead, it is projected to create approximately 350 new jobs and introduce training programs for individuals without prior experience, according to Genting.
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