The gaming group Gala is paying GBP 14.5m for the Leo Casino in Liverpool, taking its total number of British casinos to 31.

Gala is buying the business, which opened in 2002 and is near the Albert Dock, from Amaury Taittinger, who also owns the Dolby hotel in the city.

Neil Goulden, Gala’s chief executive, said: „Casinos like Leo rarely become available. We are well placed to develop the business by adding operational, management, marketing and promotional skills to an already successful operation.“

Gala has more than 1.2 million members. Its casino division employs about 3,000 people.