Casino MK Owned By Aspers UK Closes As It Enters Administration

Casino MK opened in 2013, becoming the second large licensed super casino in the United Kingdom. With a diverse offering that included slot machines, electronic games, table games, and poker tournaments, it aimed to provide a comprehensive gaming experience. The venue also featured live music and dining options at Clary’s Bar and Grill, making it a popular destination for both gamblers and casual visitors alike. The MK casino currently offers 24 live table games, 100 slot machines, 76 electronic betting stations and 4 sports betting stations. The casino offers a uniquely wide range of live table games and betting options, including Roulette, Blackjack, Punto Banco/Baccarat, Three Card Poker and Supper Wheel. In addition to Texas Holdem and Omaha, other cash games are offered in Mixed Games or Dealer’s Choice.

The stakes available are 25p/25p, £1/£1, £1/£2 and the occasional higher stake PLO game. There is plenty of action available at the 25p and £1/£1 tables although the £1/£2 games and higher are largely reg-infested and you would be far better served playing elsewhere for these stakes. The casino offered slot, electronic and table games, poker tournaments for members, live music and food at its restaurant known as Clary’s Bar and Grill. It opened in 2013 and was the second large-license super casino to open in the United Kingdom. MK Sports has a deep understanding of the preferences and characteristics of players, and our live casino is specially designed to meet the needs of local players.

Gaming

FTI Consulting, has been named the administrators tasked with exploring options for the casino, there remains the possibility of a sale. If a buyer emerges, it could lead to the reopening of Casino MK, albeit under new management. With the casino shutting down operations, staff members are left facing an uncertain future. Many have been sent home without a clear indication of whether they will be able to return to work or if their positions will be reinstated in the event of a sale. MK Sports offers promotions and personalized reward programs for players, such as welcome bonuses, regular loyalty events, and special competitions, to attract and retain player loyalty.

This approach not only fosters goodwill but also strengthens the casino’s ties to the local area. “Nevertheless, together with the entire industry, we remain confident in the long-term prospects of the German gaming market. Merkur recently re-entered the US market, while the Milton Keynes site will be the second venue in the UK, after Merkur’s Aberdeen casino launch in 2023. You will immediately get full access to our online casino forum/chat plus receive our newsletter with news & exclusive bonuses every month.

In May 2025, its parent company,Merkur Group, received approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission, allowing it to re-enter the U.S. casino market after more than 20 years. That license also paved the way for Merkur’s pending acquisition of Gaming Arts, a Las Vegas-based supplier with regulatory approvals in over 155 jurisdictions. Merkur Casino UK, which runs bingo halls and adult gaming centers across the country, finalized the acquisition and has already begun preparations for the reopening.

Aspers UK Holdings Limited, Aspers Group Limited, Aspers Finance Limited and Aspers Milton Keynes Limited have all been placed into administration, with staff at FTI Consulting appointed as joint administrators. Merkur Casino UK has acquired The Casino MK, which is situated within the Xscape leisure complex at Marlborough Gate. The acquisition represents Merkur’s second casino property in the UK, following the launch of its first casino in Aberdeen earlier this year. The Casino MK had previously been operated by Aspers, which closed its doors on April 7 after entering administration.

The Casino MK, Milton Keynes

The dress code at The Casino MK is in play as part of Aspers desire to keep the atmosphere fun for all their guests and generally maintain a respectable atmosphere. Dress as if you were going to a cocktail bar, or a nice restaurant, and you won’t have any problems. The Casino MK is an Aspers-operated casino in Milton Keynes, UK in the Xscape leisure centre. The Casino MK opened in 2000, and has been recently refurbished to a high standard in line with the other Aspers casinos in Stratford, Northampton and Newcastle.

Mark Schertle highlighted the company’s vision for growth within the UK casino market, stating, “We see real potential for casino growth across the UK. If you would like to play cash games and feel intimidated by higher stakes or would like to learn the game in a lower stake environment then the MK 25p game is a great way to get up to speed in a live poker environment. Table games are the essence of strategic and skill-based gaming for the Mk sports online app.

The closure of Casino MK has been a rapid development, with staff members reportedly sent home and instructed not to return until further notice. This abrupt decision has left many employees in uncertainty regarding their future employment. The acquisition of The Casino MK aligns with broader developments within Merkur’s parent company, Merkur Group. In May 2025, the group received a license from the Nevada Gaming Commission, paving the way for its return to the US market after more than two decades.

A recruitment campaign is also underway, aiming not only to hire new staff but also to provide opportunities for some of the casino’s former employees. As well as operating more than 220 slot venues, Merkur Group already has a casino in the UK. The Casino MK was previously owned by Aspers UK Holdings, but administrators were appointed at the beginning of April as the company went into liquidation. The Casino MK, part of the Xscape leisure centre at Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, has been bought by German-based gambling company Merkur Group.

• In May 2025, the group received a license from the Nevada Gaming Commission, paving the way for its return to the US market after more than two decades.
• We acknowledge that gambling can be addictive and encourage responsible practices in all betting activities.
• Industry analysts have interpreted the latest move as a sign of Merkur’s confidence in the long-term future of the land-based gaming market, even as the wider UK casino sector faces challenges.

Each type of game is offered, from the most timeless classics to the most modern variants. The venue also boasts a stylish bar and restaurant, offering a variety of delicious dishes and cocktails. Whether you are looking for a quick bite or a more leisurely dining experience, The Casino MK has something for everyone.

Aspers Casino MK is a great alternative for those looking for a nice casino with a good atmosphere and poker scene, but would rather not travel into London to attend the Aspers Stratford casino. Everyone who works at the Casino MK is friendly, knowledgeable, and willing to help. The staff’s warmth and willingness to banter with the patrons is undoubtedly one of the reasons for the large number of regulars who reliably attend the casino every week. Unfortunately, the casino’s financial records indicate a lack of profitability over the years, with an average of only 500 guests per day who each incur a loss of approximately GBP50 (US$70). The original concept was to position the casino as an entertainment destination rather than focus as a gambling facility, but this strategy has not yielded the desired results.

• Mark Schertle highlighted the company’s vision for growth within the UK casino market, stating, “We see real potential for casino growth across the UK.
• However, it’s our experience that the Casino MK’s dress code is more on the casual side, as you are allowed to wear trainers and jeans, for example.
• As an Aspers casino, the Casino MK feels more upmarket than your typical Grosvenor or Genting casino, which is reflected in the enforcement of the dress code, as mentioned above.
• Merkur recently re-entered the US market, while the Milton Keynes site will be the second venue in the UK, after Merkur’s Aberdeen casino launch in 2023.

Poker has always had a large presence at The Casino MK due to the casino macedonia online large poker room located at the back of the casino. Currently, the poker offering is very limited with only 2 tournaments per week which are super turbo (15 minute level) self-dealt shove fests. The casino will only run a maximum of 4 cash tables at any one time due to staff shortages.

Be careful though, playing slots is the quickest way to lose money in the casino, so be sure not to spend all of your time on them. Always remember to use your players card when playing slots, as you’ll be losing a lot of money in the long run so it is very worthwhile to claim some of that back through the reward points. Slots at Aspers are provided by Novomatic and are generally similar to those found throughout the UK.

As the only casino in Milton Keynes, the Casino MK offers everything you’d expect, such as blackjack, roulette and slot machines, though it also benefits from a large poker room for tournaments and a lively main-floor cash game. Players can interact with dealers and other players through the live chat feature, making the gaming experience more social and interactive. This real-time interaction brings a dynamic gaming environment that is both realistic and enjoyable.

Every detail is captured and transmitted with precision, enhancing the immersion of the game. It now has an annual turnover of more than €3billion per annum with sports betting, online, slots divisions, as well as its expanding portfolio of retail and new casinos. Despite struggling with a few issues – most notably staffing issues which detract from what would be an amazing poker scene – The Casino MK is well worth a visit. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and you’ll rarely get any trouble there. From Blackjack through roulette and even poker, you’ll find a host of reasonably priced, affordable games – and the same goes for food and drinks. On April 8, the administrators were officially appointed, initiating a process that could potentially lead to a sale of the casino or its assets.

• Merkur Casino UK has acquired The Casino MK, which is situated within the Xscape leisure complex at Marlborough Gate.
• Aspers World offers customers three membership tiers to earn points through play and unlock exclusive benefits both in and out of the casino.
• We strongly recommend confirming directly with the relevant businesses or attractions before making plans or bookings.
• Slots at Aspers are provided by Novomatic and are generally similar to those found throughout the UK.

Billy has diversified since then, branching out into blackjack, roulette and slots – and is even known to dabble in bingo from time to time. This means that best case (without cheating) you can keep the house edge as low as 0.51%. There are a host of side bets available with jackpots often in 5 figure territory however the house edge on these side bets is over 23%. The Casino MK is a spacious, well-decorated casino spread over the accessible ground floor. As an Aspers casino, the Casino MK feels more upmarket than your typical Grosvenor or Genting casino, which is reflected in the enforcement of the dress code, as mentioned above. InterGaming is the leading magazine covering the international land-based casino and gaming industry.

This expansion reflects Merkur’s ambition to become a key player in the global gaming industry. Industry analysts have interpreted the latest move as a sign of Merkur’s confidence in the long-term future of the land-based gaming market, even as the wider UK casino sector faces challenges. The reopening in Milton Keynes reinforces the company’s broader UK growth strategy, showing a commitment to both regional economies and the wider casino industry. The acquisition of The Casino MK represents Merkur’s second casino property in the United Kingdom, following the launch of its Aberdeen site in 2023. That venue, according to Merkur, has already demonstrated the appeal of combining traditional gaming tables, slot offerings, and hospitality under one roof.