A Tyneside design firm has seen a boost in business from casino companies following the biggest review of gambling laws in 15 years.
Dakota House of Design says the Government’s White Paper on Gambling Reform has triggered a range of new instructions for the interior design consultancy, based in Heaton, Newcastle.
The Government is to announce restrictions on the industry amid concerns current regulations need changes to accommodate the growth of online betting, with measures including online casinos having maximum stakes of between £2 and £5, a ban on free bets and VIP packages for those who incur heavy losses.
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It is anticipated that the changes will come into effect in September as part of the Gambling Commission’s ongoing drive to make gambling in the UK safer.
The legislation means leisure firms are having to fight harder to draw in customers to bricks-and-mortar casinos, while also increasing competition within the sector.
Dakota House of Design is taking advantage while companies up their game with lavish refurbishments, having spent more four decades carrying out projects around the globe.
Director Peter Hodgson said he began working on casino projects 40 years ago at the Burswood Casino in Western Australia and through Dakota, which has completed projects for most of the major casino operators over the years, the fast-paced world of the gambling industry is familiar territory.
He said he is not surprised that the anticipated reforms are helping create a pipeline of work both locally and nationally, adding: “The decision of the industry to refurbish their premises is partly due to the impact of online gaming. There has always been big competition for the public’s money between various gambling organisations, but a lot of people stopped going to casinos particularly during the pandemic.
“And now, operators are getting ready to attract the public back to their premises. The White Paper has driven a lot of these refurbishment plans.
“Since Aspers Casino opened in Newcastle in 2005 we have undertaken a variety of updates over the years and have recently completed a refurbishment of the poker room and the bar area as well as a multi-functional entertainment suite for live performances.”
Similar projects are lining up for the interior design firm to refresh areas which have become a little tired.
Mr Hodgson added: “Metropolitan Gaming has appointed Dakota to undertake projects valued at less than £500,000 and we will soon begin work on a new Metropolitan casino located in The Hilton Hotel on Park Lane, London. This is a major coup for us as we faced stiff competition from many other London-based design specialists.”
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