Former Watford Cashino unit becomes double size Merkur Slots

A town centre unit has received a £200,000 investment to upgrade and expand.

Gaming company Merkur Slots has doubled the size of its The Parade, Watford, unit and added more games and screens to its low stakes (£5 to £500 payouts) gambling offering.

MERKUR Casino UK CEO Mark Schertle said: “The transformation of our Watford venue outlines our long-term commitment to the town and our pride in continually investing and innovating in the local area, to help create a vibrant high street that generates employment and encourages visitors.”

A reopening event was held on June 30, offering giveaways and prizes.

The expanded unit had previously been occupied by Cashino and Phone Point before Phone Point moved to another High Street location and Cashino became Merkur Slots as part of a national rebrand.

The change of use for the former phone store was considered acceptable as Cashino was already operating slot machines there, several other betting and gambling shops exist in the town centre, and “the site has been vacant for a considerable time”.

In the application, the company said Merkur Slots should not be put in the same category as betting shops because of the low stakes.