Casino MK ceases trading after administrators could not sell the business

Casino MK has ceased trading with immediate effect after administrators confirmed it was not possible to complete a sale of the business. 

Operated by Aspers UK Holdings Limited, the venue was located at the Xscape leisure complex in the centre of Milton Keynes. 

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Casino MK opened its doors in 2013, as the second large-license super casino across the UK. It offered slots and table games to players, as well as online games and poker tournaments. 

General entertainment was also on offer through live music and food on site. 

On Tuesday 8 April, administrators FTI Consulting were appointed to Aspers UK Holdings Limited, tasked with finding a buyer for the company but that has not materialised, with the casino seemingly reaching the end of the road.

The closure of Casino MK will result in job losses, with the Buckinghamshire city losing a key gaming and leisure venue.

Aspers and its subsidiary entities - Aspers Group Limited, Aspers Finance Limited, and Aspers Milton Keynes Limited - have all been impacted, although the casino business at Westfield in Stratford, East London has been saved through a transaction.

A statement provided to the MK Citizen detailed the background situation that contributed to the demise of Casino MK.

The administrators said that: "Aspers was materially impacted by COVID and, following a shift in customer habits, has struggled to return to pre-COVID trading levels, resulting in the need for ongoing stakeholder support, which has been exacerbated by underperforming units.”

"Over the past few months, the directors and key stakeholders have worked to try and safeguard the future of the business.”

"On appointment, the joint administrators successfully completed a sale of the shares in the entities that operated the casino in Westfield, Stratford to Genting Casinos UK Limited. The casino in Stratford continues to trade as usual.”

"Regrettably, it has not been possible to achieve a sale of Aspers (Milton Keynes) Limited (which traded as the Casino MK), and whilst the joint administrators will continue to explore options in respect of the Casino MK, given the ongoing funding and licensing requirements, the Casino MK has ceased trading with immediate effect," concluded the statement.