Rainbow Casino, a gambling venue in Bristol’s city center, ceased operations abruptly on Tuesday, December 3, leaving patrons and staff in shock. A notice posted outside the premises confirmed the closure: “Dear customers, we regret to inform you that Rainbow Casino is ceasing operations on Tuesday at midnight.”  

The announcement ended weeks of speculation, as initial rumors suggested the venue would shut down in January. Instead, the sudden closure leaves the city with only one operational casino, Grosvenor Casino on Anchor Road, despite Bristol being authorized for up to four casino licenses.  

Located near Millennium Square and occupying a significant portion of a major building on Canons Way, Rainbow Casino’s closure has raised concerns about the future of the vacant property. The shutdown also leaves many employees without jobs and impacts Bristol’s entertainment and hospitality scene.  

This closure reflects broader challenges facing the UK’s casino industry. According to Michael Dugger, acting chairman of the Betting and Gaming Council, the sector has experienced a wave of closures in recent years. “Too many casinos have unfortunately closed in recent years because successive administrations have failed to bring about the changes we needed to protect jobs and growth,” Dugger said.  

Dugger highlighted the contributions of casinos to the UK economy, noting that they employ over 10,000 people, contribute £300 million ($382 million) in taxes annually, and generate approximately £800 million ($1 billion) for the economy.

To address the industry’s struggles, Dugger called for reforms such as the adoption of cashless payment systems, expanded use of gaming machines, and the introduction of sports betting in casinos.