Hippodrome Casino Developer Could Buy Back Bingo Firm

United Leisure Gaming are behind the £15 million project to turn Hippodrome into a casino.

United Leisure Gaming (ULG) chairman Simon Thomas has said that he would be interested in regaining control of Beacon Bingo.

The Thomas family sold the bingo chain to Hermes Private Equity for £80 million in 2006, but the company has suffered from the smoking ban, new limits on high-jackpot machines and the economic downturn.

According to the Independent, Mr Thomas has now revealed that he is "tempted" to look at buying Beacon Bingo back, although he also said that he is "not yet" ready to consider such a deal.

The businessman's ULG company is currently involved in converting the London Hippodrome into a £15 million casino and live entertainment venue.

Redevelopment work on the interior of the famous Leicester Square building is scheduled to begin this month, with the new casino due to open to the public in 2011.

Mr Thomas has said that he wants to "return the Hippodrome to its rightful place as one of the country's leading leisure destinations".