As the UK’s capital city, London is a vibrant and diverse location and an excellent place to visit for some entertainment.
Gambling has been a pastime for Londoners for centuries. Back in the sixteenth and seventeenth century it was a favourite hobby for heads of the royal household, including King Henry VIII and Charles II. By the eighteenth century, it became a vice for those living in poverty and gambling was carried out by both the city’s rich and its poor.
In the 1950s, the famous criminal duo, Ronnie and Reggie Kray, opened up their casino in an exclusive area of Knightsbridge. This casino was frequented by some of the city’s most wealthy and powerful figures.
Following the introduction of the Gambling Act in the 1960s, wagering and betting became fully legal. With this in place, many more venues opened up and more of the city’s inhabitants and visitors enjoyed trips to casinos.
Today, gambling is a popular pastime for people in London. Casinos are well regulated and overseen by the Gambling Commission.
Whether you are a resident of London or a tourist looking for entertainment during your visit, there are a huge range of casino venues to play at. Here’s a few of the best from different areas of the city:
You can also use this cool map on Online-Casinos.com to help you find them.
The Sportsman Casino, Marble Arch
This award-winning casino is located in the heart of London that prides itself on having a friendly, intimate atmosphere. There are tables for blackjack, American roulette, Punto banco and three card poker.
The venue’s dealers speak a wide variety of languages, including Arabic, Portuguese and Spanish – making this a welcoming place for international visitors. The Sportsman also offers a more exclusive high stakes area for players.
If you fancy a bite to eat then the Zaman restaurant is highly recommended. This restaurant has an extensive menu and specialises in Middle Eastern, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine. Alternatively if you are looking for a light meal there is a snack menu in the bar area.
There is a smart casual dress code, meaning jackets are not required however scruffy trainers will not be allowed.
Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square
In the middle of the lively and iconic West End of London, Hippodrome Casino is one of the largest and most visited casinos in the United Kingdom.
Spread across three gaming floors, from roulette and blackjack to baccarat and slots, there is every casino game you could ever wish for. The venue is also home to the country’s only Pokerstars LIVE deck. The ground floor houses the Macau Lounge, while the third floor is home to The Cranbourn Club and is perfect for those looking for a quieter location to play in.
While you are there, you may as well catch a performance in their 325-seat state-of-the-art theatre. The theatre is currently home to the hit show Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike Live.
This venue is alive throughout the day and night, there is even a 24 hour food menu offering burgers, chicken wings and salads. There is also the Heliot Steak House if you want to enjoy a full sit down meal. This 100 seat restaurant is rumoured to have some of the best views of the city.
The Palm Beach Casino, Mayfair
Another glamorous location perfect for an evening out is The Palm Beach. This is a premium venue offering a truly luxurious experience to guests. There is a selection of Megaways slots, blackjack, baccarat and three card poker tables, as well as live roulette that is streamed online. Slot machines can also be found on the gaming floor. It is said that the casino was inspired by Japanese pachinko culture when creating several of its slot machines. You can read more about the Japanese casino culture on 大吉カジノ.
If you are a fan of fine wines, Palm Beach’s bar will not disappoint. The Lounge bar is open from 7pm until 3am every day of the week. The bar menu consists of an exquisite range of top-quality champagnes, wines, sherries and ports. There is also the most relaxed gaming bar that looks out onto the gaming floor, this area is open until 4am each day and is perfect for a quick drink while you relax and prepare to play.
Aspers Casino, Westfield Stratford City
Aspers Casino has over 150 slot machines and gaming tables on offer. One of its best features is the colourful Super Wheel, which has 52 compartments with seven different colours to place bets on.
Aspers offers a great range of packages for groups celebrating a special occasion. For birthday bashes and office parties, there is a package that includes a champagne reception, three course meal and time on the gaming floor. There is also the Super Casino Experience, which includes the party package alongside tuition on how to play the casino’s most popular games.
There are many great casinos in London, when visiting this lively city be sure to check out a number of different venues and really experience all that London’s gambling scene has to offer.