As Scottish Financial News reports, MERKUR Casino UK, the renowned high street bingo and gaming operator, has opened its first ever casino in Aberdeen, Scotland. The milestone is the result of the company’s acquisition of the Rainbow Casino on Summer Street of the popular Scottish destination.
Casino to Open on June 23:
According to the source, the latest acquisition is set to keep the existing 40 casino jobs for the local community. At the same time, the operator will take advantage of the skilled and experienced staff of the fully operative casino facility. The new venture is therefore expected to officially open to the public as soon as June 23, 2023.
Expanding Venues and Staff:
With the acquisition of the Rainbow Casino, Merkur will increase its offerings in Aberdeen, where it also operates a gaming facility which opened in 2022. The company acquired in 2012 by the Gauselmann Group operates Merkur Slots venues across Scotland, but also land-based gaming facilities in Spain and The Netherlands. The operator employs around 1,600 people across these venues and the casino deal will follow the company’s practice and preserve the 40 jobs involved with the acquisition.
Significant Milestone:
The Rainbow Casino will mark the Merkur’s first-ever launch in the UK casino market. The company is very excited about the location chosen for the new market entry.
Mark Schertle, COO for MERKUR Casino UK, reportedly said: “We’re really excited to be opening our first casino venue in the UK and what better place to choose than Aberdeen. The city has a vibrant night-time economy, provides the perfect location to launch this new arm of our business and will successfully complement our portfolio of over 225 high street bingo and adult gaming centers across the UK.”
The executive continued: “It will also be a welcome addition to our existing MERKUR Slots venue on Union Street in Aberdeen, safeguard jobs and reinforce our continued investment in the local high street.”
Casino Features:
The announced reinforcement seems to be based on the proven casino solutions. According to the Press&Journal, the casino will have a new look and the gaming area will include a “world-class selection of table games” such as poker, blackjack, and roulette. The latest slots products from the extensive Merkur’s portfolio of titles will also be included in the comprehensive casino offerings.
Schertle added: “Having already undergone a refresh and new layout of the casino, we now have some exciting plans to invest and develop the business further and look forward to welcoming new and existing customers.”
The legal status of online casinos in India is complex and varies by state. While there is no federal law that explicitly addresses online gambling, the legality depends on state regulations and the type of gambling involved.
Key Points:
-
No National Law: India does not have a specific national law regulating online casinos. However, the Public Gambling Act of 1867 prohibits operating physical casinos and gambling houses, but it doesn't cover online platforms, leaving a legal grey area for online gambling.
-
State-Specific Laws: Some Indian states, like Goa, Sikkim, and Daman, have legalized land-based casinos, and others, such as Sikkim, have also licensed online gambling. Many states have banned gambling altogether, including online gambling.
-
Online Sports Betting: Betting on sports, particularly cricket, is very popular in India. However, it's only explicitly legal in some states like Sikkim and Nagaland, which have laws permitting online gaming and betting.
-
Legal Gray Area: Many international online casinos accept Indian players and operate legally under licenses from offshore jurisdictions (like Curacao or the UK Gambling Commission). As long as players are gambling on licensed platforms, the risk is minimal, but local authorities may still choose to regulate or restrict online gambling.
-
Cryptocurrency: Some Indian players prefer using cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin) for online gambling, as it provides a layer of anonymity and security.
While online casinos aren't explicitly legal across all of India, many international casinos accept Indian players, and online gambling continues to grow in popularity. Players should ensure they use licensed platforms and understand local laws before engaging in online gaming.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.