What do we like to see in a casino? Mobile players should get to play all the games and move around the site very easily, all rewarded with a great bonus and an excellent payout rate
Mike - Former online poker pro
The Best Land-Based Casinos In The UK
Online casinos have exploded in popularity in the United Kingdom over the past few years. However, relaxations in gambling laws have led to a growth in land-based British casinos too.
The major chains continue to dominate, but several 'super-casinos' now offer Vegas-style gaming to the masses. These offer some of the best table games and slots action outside mainland Europe. You can earn loyalty points, eat in 5-star restaurants, and even walk in without membership.
Let's take a look at some of the biggest and best casinos around the UK in 2024.
Spotting a Top Land Casino
Land-based casinos in the UK have been growing since the mid-2000s when the government relaxed gaming laws in the country. Casino attendances have been getting larger ever since, with millions more Brits heading onto the gaming floors compared to a few years ago.
While there is a bigger choice of venues than ever for UK gamblers, casino players actually have a limited selection once they go through the doors. Only large casinos can offer up to 150 slots and video gaming terminals. Most smaller regional casinos have a handful of slots and perhaps 5-10 tables like roulette and blackjack.
Bigger casinos are appearing, with Leicester Square in London getting several new entertainment-based complexes since 2005. The lack of Vegas-style banks of slots means customers in UK casinos still struggle to get a game.
So, how can you find the best experience? Even smaller city casinos have a relaxed atmosphere, with an emphasis on food and entertainment. Many casinos now have their own poker room too, offering Texas Hold'em & Omaha tournaments and cash games.
Top 5 Live Casinos in the UK
Which are the best casinos to visit in the United Kingdom in 2024? We've listed our top 5, although there are still some smaller gems hidden around the country.
1 - Aspers Casino, Westfield Stratford City
- Where: 312, The Loft, Montfichet Road, Olympic Park, London E20 1ET
- Contact: http://www.aspersstratford.co.uk/; (0208) 536 5630
- Games: Roulette, blackjack, slots, sportsbetting, punto banco, poker, super wheel
Top Features:
- Largest number of slots in a UK casino
- Expanded and sponsored poker room
- Excellent dining and bars
One of the original 'super casinos' set up under the old legislation, Aspers sits on the top floor of Stratford's Westfield shopping centre. It's the perfect place to gamble after a day's shopping, and there's even a view of the London 2012 Olympic Stadium (now West Ham FC's London Stadium).
It boasts more electronic terminals and slots than any other UK casino and also has top-quality bars and a restaurant. The Aspers loyalty card also rewards regular players with freebies. The 888 poker room hosts big-money tournaments and cash games and attracts players from across the world.
2 - Aspers, The Casino MK
- Where: Xscape, 602 Marlborough Gate, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3XS
- Contact: http://www.thecasinomk.co.uk/; 0)1908 237776
- Games: Roulette, blackjack, slots, sportsbetting, punto banco, poker, super wheel, spread-bet roulette, live dealer games
Top Features:
- Dozens of gaming tables and slots
- Interesting variants like spread-bet roulette and Live Dealer
- Good promotional offers like the Slots Club and Aspire Xtra
Aspers also operates a major casino in Milton Keynes (The Casino MK) which is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. It boasts nearly 200 slots and electronic gaming terminals. Big-money IGT slots like Cleopatra have paid out millions in prize money. Like Aspers in Stratford, MK now boasts sportsbetting terminals in its bar area.
The casino operates a Slots Club for regular visitors who can use their Aspire card to earn over £200 worth of slots offers each month. It's unique games like Spread-Bet Roulette and Live Dealer action that sets Casino MK apart.
3 - The Hippodrome Casino
- Where: Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, London WC2H 7JH
- Contact: http://www.hippodromecasino.com/; 0207 769 8888
- Games: Roulette, blackjack, three-card poker, dice/craps, baccarat, slots/electronic games, Mini Punto Banco, Tombola Roulette, poker
Top Features:
- Over 45 gaming tables plus slots
- Top-floor poker room hosted by PokerStars
- Superb location on London's Leicester Square
A major refurb saw the old Hippodrome reborn as a world-leading casino and entertainment venue in the early 2010s.
Positioned perfectly in London's famous Leicester Square, the Hippodrome prides itself on its famous history. 'Lola's underground casino' features burlesque entertainment and dancers, while big-name singers turn up on the ground-floor stage.
While it can get busy at weekends, the three-tier casino boasts plenty of roulette and blackjack action, plus the usual video slots fare. The world's biggest poker site, PokerStars, have taken over the top floor with their PokerStars LIVE poker room. Big cash games and regular tournaments keep the poker room packed out.
A separate bar/casino on the lower floor features roulette, blackjack, and a craps table - unusual for a UK casino.
4 - Grosvenor Victoria Casino
- Where: 150-162 Edgware Rd, London W2 2DT
- Contact: http://www.grosvenorvictoriacasino.com/; 020 7262 7777
- Games: Slots, roulette, touch-bet roulette, blackjack, super Stud, Three-Card Poker, Punto Banco
Top Features:
- Established London casino on Edgware Road
- One of the world's great poker rooms
- Private 'Club Room' for hire
One of the best-established casinos in England, 'The Vic' is the best of the Grosvenor chain of UK casinos. The casino itself boasts around 35 tables, including the usual roulette, blackjack, and Punto Banco fare. There are slots and electronic roulette terminals as well.
For gamblers wanting to eat, The Vic has a bar and Dining Room restaurants.
The Vic boasts one of the world's great poker rooms, snappily called The Poker Room. Expanded, and sitting on the top floor of the casino, The Poker Room spreads dozens of cash games and hosts stops on major tours like the GUKPT. The Poker Room also has its own selection of roulette, blackjack, and slots games.
5 - Manchester235
- Where: Great Northern, 2 Watson Street, Manchester M3 4LP
- Contact: www.manchester235.com; 0161 660 8824
- Games: American Roulette, Punto Banco, Three-Card Poker, Electronic Roulette, video slots, blackjack, poker
Top Features:
- Biggest and best casino in Manchester
- Great restaurants and VIP lounges
- Player Rewards card allows freebies and perks
Operated by London Clubs International (part of the giant Caesars group), Manchester235 is one of the Vegas-style casinos that cropped up post-2005. It's more of an entertainment complex than a casino, but the gambling action is still top-notch.
The casino itself boasts blackjack, American Roulette (rare at a lot of UK casinos), slots, and electronic/progressive roulette. There is also plenty of VIP gaming action, with dedicated packages for recreational gamblers.
Manchester235 boasts a 'Poker Lounge' open from 7pm to 7.30am on weekdays and 24 hours at weekends.
Choose the Right UK Casino for You
Casinos in the United Kingdom have changed massively over the past 10 years. Poker is a big draw at many casinos, while bars, entertainment and fine dining also ensure an all-round experience for customers. Membership rules are easier now, with players able to get access to casinos instantly. Some casinos like Aspers in London allow gamblers to walk straight in off the street.
Choosing a good land-based casino is about picking what's right for you. Do you want lots of games, low-stakes slots, or big-money VIP perks? Are you more concerned about a fun night out and a good meal?
With so many chains operating now in big cities and towns, the choice for UK gamblers is huge. Decide how far you want to travel, and what you want to play, before making a decision.
