Known locally as ‘The Croups’, Les Croupiers Casino dates back all the way to 1968 and, over the years, has earned a reputation as one of the most popular casinos in Cardiff.

With the assertation that they provide the highest stakes in the area to keep the seasoned gamblers happy coupled with the promise to accommodate new players by teaching them how to play, I was eager to test out whether Les Croupiers is as inclusive as it claims to be.

So, if you’re wondering what a day out at the famous Les Croupiers casino looks like, carry on reading as I’ll cover how to get there, the games they have on offer, the restaurant and bar offerings, and much more throughout this review.

Now, let’s start out with a little bit of background. Les Croupiers was originally located on St Mary Street in central Cardiff but relocated to the Capital Shopping Park on Leckwith Road in 2009 due to a desire to expand. 

The casino now sits in a comfortable 20,000 square feet building – not the biggest venue in the world, but big enough to provide everything you’d expect to see in a casino.

I was glad to find that the casino hadn’t received a complete modern overhaul after its relocation. I just don’t feel like super sleek and stylish décor would suit the place.

Instead, it’s cheerfully colourful and unpretentious. Still probably not to everyone’s taste but what is?

There is an on-site sports bar and Chinese restaurant too, so the Les Croupiers can draw in crowds of non-gamblers who are just there to watch sports or enjoy a sit-down meal.

I was really impressed with the number of games offered at this casino. For some reason I went in expecting the selection to be fairly limited, so I guess you could say I was pleasantly surprised.

In terms of table games, you’ll find blackjack, three card poker, craps, and punto banco. You won’t find craps or punto banco at every casino, so this is a plus. Electronic roulette tables with a minimum bet of just 20p are also available.

The casino floor has an almost nostalgic feel to it – definitely a far cry from some of the modern offerings you find today, but I liked this and thought it complimented the history of the place. Modern décor just wouldn’t have suited this place.

Slots: Slot enthusiasts, listen up! You’ll find over 50 of the most popular slots games available to play at Les Croupiers, including local progressive jackpots worth up to £12,000 as the regular jackpot of £10,000.

Some popular titles include: Lucky Lady’s Charm, Lord of the Ocean, Book of Ra, Dolphin’s Pearl, Lucky Lady’s Charm 6, Cleopatra, Elephant King, Golden Goddess, Pharaoh’s Fortune, Wolf Ridge, Brilliant Star, and Wild Fury.

What’s more, Les Croupiers claims to offer the highest payback in the entire country at an attractive 94%.

Without a doubt, I’d recommend this casino for avid slots players if nobody else.

Poker enthusiasts should listen up too. Les Croupiers has a poker room which can seat up to 200 players at once. Impressive, right? 

Unfortunately, it was very quiet during my visit and I was disappointed that I didn’t get to see it in in full flow, but that’s my fault for visiting during the week. 

While I didn’t sit in for any hands, I did ask one of the dealers if it regularly gets busy. They told me that it’s common to reach capacity on a weekend which I think would elevate the experience. 

Plus, Les Croupiers regularly hosts tournaments and offers specific poker promotions. The easiest way to check this out is on their website where they post their monthly tournament schedule in advance. 

The accommodation options, or lack thereof, are a little inconvenient here considering there is no on-site hotel and the casino is located on the outskirts of the city centre.

The closest hotels to the venue are located more towards the centre and are just over a mile away, so around a half an hour walk. If you can commit to a half an hour walk after a night at the tables, you’re braver than me. 

Fortunately, it is just a five-minute taxi ride to the first set of hotels, and you can ask at the reception desk for the taxi to be arranged for you.

Some of the closest, best-rated hotels include The Parkgate Hotel, Travelodge Cardiff Central Queen Street, Lincoln House Private Hotel, and the Clayton Hotel Cardiff.

The casino is open seven days a week, from midday to 6am. Overall, I found it to be clean and well maintained by the staff which was a big positive. 

I did notice a few minor things, such as an odd stain on the carpet or a scratch on a chair, but nothing major and certainly nothing out of place in a venue that’s not been renovated in close to two decades.

Perhaps one of the best things about this casino is the complimentary food and drink offerings. Complimentary refreshments, served at the slot machines and tables, include tea, coffee, soft drinks, chicken wings, and baguettes. Who doesn’t like a freebie?

Staff: The staff were undoubtedly one of the highlights of my visit to Les Croupiers. 

Upon arrival, I was informed that staff members were on hand to walk me through any games that I wasn’t familiar with. 

Their disclosing of this seemed almost rehearsed which made sense once I spotted the craps and punto banco tables. Despite being a frequent casino visitor, I’ve never chanced my luck on a craps table and am not entirely sure how to play properly. I’m sure some of you can relate, so it’s nice to know there’s help there should you need it.

Every member of staff I interacted with during my visit was super friendly, knowledgeable about their section, and happy to answer any questions I threw their way. I certainly can’t fault the customer service.

Restaurant: Located above the casino is the Good World Chinese Restaurant which is open daily from midday to 10:30pm.

Now, I hadn’t actually planned on ordering any food during my visit to Les Croupiers but upon finding out it was Chinese food, a personal weakness of mine, that was on offer I just couldn’t resist. 

The first thing to note about this place is that the menu is absolutely huge. Offering westernised Chinese dishes like sweet and sour along with some more authentic options like fried chitterlings, I really was spoilt for choice.

I was feeling adventurous, so I opted for a stewed pork dish from the authentic side of the menu. As a self-confessed Chinese food addict, I’d like to think I know good Chinese food when I taste it, and this was most certainly it. I fully recommend popping in if you’re planning a visit to the casino.

However, if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, don’t worry. There’s a KFC and a 24-hour McDonalds within a five-minute walk of the casino. 

Bar: A popular hunting ground for Cardiff City fans, the Les Croupiers Sports Lounge shows all the biggest sport events aired on Sky Sports and BT Sports TV channels.

There are multiple screens within the bar so you can ask for the game you’re interested in to be shown.

As I visited mid-week during the afternoon the bar was quiet, but I was told by the barman that it can get exceptionally busy on weekends and match days in particular. 

As for the drinks on offer, it was all pretty standard: beers, wines, spirits, shots.

Smoking: Neither smoking nor vaping is permitted anywhere within the building and unfortunately, there aren’t any terraces or dedicated spaces for those partial to a cigarette break.

Anybody wishing to have a cigarette or use their vape can do so outside the main entrance.

Dress Code: Les Croupiers Casino employs a smart/casual dress code. This probably goes without saying but avoid hoodies, tracksuit bottoms, ripped jeans, caps and the like and you won’t have any issues.

Les Croupiers Casino in Cardiff is fully accessible for wheelchair users.

As I’ve already mentioned, this casino is pretty big on poker so that’s the game you’ll tend to find the greatest number of promotions for. They promotions are probably not as good or regular as those offered by the best online casinos, but gambling in person does bring more to the table from an experience point of view. 

In general terms, the casino does offer membership. Anybody over the age of 18 can become a member and all you need to do is pop in with some form of photo ID and you’ll be registered instantly.

The benefits of doing so mean you can acquire points, which can eventually be traded in for benefits such as freeplay. 

I got to try out a little bit of everything during my visit to Les Croupiers Casino thanks to it being a quiet time of day and I enjoyed everything I tried.

While trying out a couple of different table games, I enjoyed having a chat with the dealers about the local area and such. I always appreciate friendly staff, especially when you’re on your own.

I didn’t have much luck on the tables, but I can’t blame my dire luck on the casino. Plus, my complimentary cup of coffee lifted my spirits.

I did also try out a few of the different slot machines which I had a little more luck on. Nothing life changing though unfortunately. 

Overall, I had a good day out at Les Croupiers Casino, but I think I’d check it out on a weekend next time just for that bit of extra atmosphere.

⭐ Standout Moment

The complimentary drinks and snacks being delivered to the gaming tables was the thing that stuck with me after my visit. 

I thought this was a fantastic idea as it really makes a venue stand out and makes your custom feel valued.

I just hope this isn’t something that is knocked on the head as I have no doubt that it is a much-loved part of the Les Croupiers experience for many punters, myself included.

Overall, I had a great time at Les Croupiers Casino and would definitely return if I was back in the area.

The variation in games was probably enough to draw me back in on its own, but combined with the unpretentious décor, relaxed atmosphere, and great food options, I couldn’t really fault the place.

At the beginning of this review, I said that I wanted to test out whether the casino was as inclusive as it makes out and I can happily say that it is. 

The staff were friendly enough make me believe they would have no problem helping you figure a game out. On the opposite side of the scale, seasoned casino-goers can take advantage of the poker tournaments and impressive progressive jackpot slots.

All in all, Les Croupiers is definitely worth a visit if you ask me.

🧭 How to get there

Undoubtedly, the easiest way of getting to the Les Croupiers Casino is to drive. Pop CF11 8EG into your sat nav and you’ll be on your way. The venue offers free parking thanks to it being located in the Capital Shopping Park so you can park up and head straight on in.

However, I understand driving is not possible for everyone.

Luckily, the casino is located just a ten-minute walk away from Cardiff Central train station, so this would be your best bet if you’re arriving from afar.

There are also a handful of bus stops within walking distance which include one on Sloper Road, supportive of the 92B Cardiff to Penarth service, one on Hadfield Road, supportive of the 95 Cardiff to Barry service, and one on Bessemer Road, supportive of the 1 and 1A services around Cardiff.