Victoria Gate Casino Faces License Suspension Amid AML Failings

Key Moments:

The Gambling Commission has suspended VGC Leeds’ license for Victoria Gate Casino due to anti-money laundering concerns.
Regulators have identified major shortcomings in decision-making and risk response related to AML and counter-terrorist financing.
The operator has been directed to prioritize fair consumer treatment and provide transparent updates during the suspension.

License Suspension Triggered by Regulatory Concerns

The Gambling Commission has suspended the license of VGC Leeds, which operates Victoria Gate Casino located in central Leeds. Authorities allege the operator “is reasonably believed” to have not upheld adequate and effective anti-money laundering (AML) policies, procedures, and controls.

Issues Raised Over Casino Governance

Regulatory officials have flagged “serious concerns” about the quality of VGC Leeds’ decision-making and its processes for responding to identified risks involving both anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing. The Gambling Commission noted that these identified failings undermine the overall effectiveness of the casino’s governance and approach to risk management.

Threat to Licensing Objectives

The Gambling Commission has emphasized that these deficiencies are a “serious threat to the licensing objectives, in particular keeping crime out of gambling.” The regulator has instructed the operator to ensure that, throughout the suspension, customers are treated fairly and kept fully informed regarding any developments affecting them.

Official Notice to Customers

According to an announcement on the casino’s website: “Licensee’s licence has been suspended by the Commission.”

Author

Daniel Williams

Daniel Williams has started his writing career as a freelance author at a local paper media. After working there for a couple of years and writing on various topics, he found his interest for the gambling industry.

Casino Guardian covers the latest news and events in the casino industry. Here you can also find extensive guides for roulette, slots, blackjack, video poker, and all live casino games as well as reviews of the most trusted UK online casinos and their mobile casino apps.

Key Moments:

The September sports betting handle in Colorado reached $608.7 million, marking an 8% year-over-year increase and a nearly 46% jump from August 2025.
Online wagering generated $45.7 million in revenue, while retail sportsbooks contributed roughly $285,000.
Tax revenue for September stood at $3.2 million, which is 13% lower than August and 20% lower compared to the previous year.

Monthly Performance Overview

The Division of Gaming has reported strong growth in Colorado’s sports betting market for September. The total wagered amount reached $608.7 million, an 8% increase from the same month last year and almost 46% higher than August 2025. Online platforms played a dominant role, accounting for $45.7 million out of the total $46 million in gaming revenue.

Retail sportsbooks added approximately $285,000 in revenue, highlighting the leading role of digital channels in the state’s sports betting landscape.

Top Betting Categories

Football led all categories, with wagers totaling $193.4 million, overwhelmingly placed online. Parlays and combination bets followed at $166 million, while baseball betting remained steady at $73.7 million. Online bets continued to represent the vast majority of activity within each category.

Betting Category	Handle ($ millions)
Football	193.4
Parlays and Combination Bets	166.0
Baseball	73.7

Betting Category

Handle ($ millions)

Football

193.4

Parlays and Combination Bets

166.0

Baseball

73.7

Tax Revenue Trends

State tax revenue from sports betting in September reached $3.2 million, a figure representing a decrease of 13% from August and 20% from the same month one year ago. Despite this fluctuation, year-to-date data shows that Colorado bettors have collectively wagered $1.4 billion, which is nearly 10% higher compared to 2024. State tax collections for the fiscal year so far stand at $9.6 million, reflecting a similar percentage increase.

Official Statement

Christopher Schroder, Director of Gaming, said:

“Colorado continues to demonstrate a strong and responsible sports betting market. These figures reflect not only the public’s interest but also our ongoing commitment to using this revenue to benefit the state’s critical water initiatives. As we see these results, we also remind everyone to play responsibly.”

Long-Term Market Growth

Since legalization, sports betting in Colorado has sustained its growth trajectory. In the last fiscal year, $6.3 billion was wagered, outpacing the previous year by $287 million. This volume is over twice the handle recorded during Colorado’s inaugural full year of regulated sports betting in 2020-21.