As Oscar Wilde once said, “The Society of London is comprised of brilliant lunatics and beautiful idiots. As all societies should be”. If you live in London, you get what Wilde is saying and witnessing, even with more than a century in passing. Those who come to visit the nation’s capital, soon come to understand it as well, though just about.

The significance of this quote only shines a light on one aspect of London and that’s the people who make the capital what it is. It is the people within the 607 square miles of this city that have shaped London, both politically and socially. It’s the banking capital of the world, it’s the far too many football teams to count, it's the multitude of diverse cultures, it’s the rich and famous, and it’s also the homeless. 

From the glitz and glam attending movie premiers in Leicester Square, contrasted with the undeniable rise in crimes and gang violence. This is London as it is and as it always has been. 

When you go through London, it’s a soundscape of people, traffic, the braking screech of buses, the “mind the gap” of the London Underground. Visually, the city has everything for your eyes to gaze upon, restaurants, theatres, nightclubs, gentlemen's clubs, casinos, and shops. London is also home to famous landmarks, the Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the Churchill War Rooms, the Houses of Parliament, and the Highgate Cemetary. 

Tourists come to see the British Empire and everything it has given to the world. Not all good, but not all bad. London is a rough diamond, I know this firsthand having lived there. London is where my passion for gambling started, inside the casinos of old London town. 

London and its history of gambling dates back to 1828, just before the rise of ULEZ cameras. This is seen as the landmark moment when the opening of Crockfords happened. This was at the request of the Duke of Wellington, who sponsored the first casino in London which Willian Crockford built himself. I tried to interview William Crockford for this piece, but his press secretary advised that he was ill through death. 

Since the build of Crockfords, there have been 53 further casinos built. Which, judging by my English education, equates to a total of 54 casinos in London, one for every week of the year. What London and its people benefit from is the history of architecture. Many of the capital’s casinos are found within the most splendid of buildings that date back more than 10, 20, or 30 years, which is equivalent to America’s entire history. 

I left London nearly 15 years ago, but I decided to go back and review my old stomping grounds. Not only has London changed in this time, but so too has gambling. The industry itself has moved online and flourished and that can be seen in the best online casinos today. So have the games and the industry of sports betting. 

So, without further ado, here are my top London casinos. 

Located in what some consider to be the beating heart of London, The Hippodrome is one of the best casinos in Leicester Square. Getting to the venue could not be easier. You can take either the Picadilly or the Northern Underground Line to Leicester Square. Found on the corner of Littler Newport Street and Charring Cross, you have a glorious 18^th Century-listed property that covers 7 floors. Originally this building was a theatre in 1900 and was soon renovated to take the drama from the stage and onto the tables. 

The casino is an all-out entertainment venue. If you don’t come for the gambling, you might arrive for the shows that are put on.  Events include burlesque night and Magic Mike live shows. Plus, The Hippodrome comes with a variety of restaurants, including the Heliot Steak House and Chinese food from Chop Chop. 

When it comes to the casino game, The Hippodrome is one of the best at facilitating excitement and energy. It will come as no surprise that this casino supplies the right games and the right tables. You have blackjack, roulette, and a range of electronics and slot machines. The stand-out gaming feature is the special live lounge that hosts PokerStars™. This gives players access to one of the biggest poker brands in the world. 

The venue has certainly evolved since I last visited. Its location makes it easy to find and get to. You have all the classic casino games you could want. Plus, you don’t need to be a member to enjoy the amenities. 

For more information, read our full Hippodrome review.

Down the road from the Hippodrome Casino, you will come across one of Leicester Square’s most famous buildings, The Empire Cinema. It’s within this building you also have the Empire Casino. 

The once former ballroom of the late 1920s was first built in 1884, but it didn’t get its change from ballroom to casino until 2007. The casino covers 55,000 square feet of space, which you would not think from looking at the outside of the building. With so much space, unsurprisingly, there is room for a few bars and an Asian restaurant. 

The Empire Casino supplies all the classic gaming tables: American roulette, baccarat, blackjack, three card poker, and a selection of slot games and electronic tables. There is also the VIP Dragon Lounge with its own VIP service and range of deluxe tables. 

The casino belongs to the Metropolitan Gaming group, which, in turn, is owned by Silver Point Capital. The Empire Met Card springs from this, which is a loyalty membership card. Download the Met Card App to benefit from promotions and discounts.

One of the standout services is the Poker tournaments. You can become part of the Team Empire, which plays towards securing a place in the World Series of Poker.

For more information, read our full Empire Casino review.

This site is unquestionably one of the most popular casinos in London. The name Grosvenor rose to prominence in 1970. Owned by Rank Group, they have more than 50 casinos across the country. They are the fast food chain of gambling. Their casino empire also stretches out to Spain and Belgium. 

Now, the thing about the Grosvenor Victoria London casino is that it isn’t located in the Victoria part of London. The name comes from its previous establishment name, the Victoria Sporting Club. Grosvenor Victoria is actually positioned on Edgeware Road. No prizes for guessing that the best mode of transport is to get the Underground train to Edgeware Road Station. 

Grosvenor Victoria is a venue that is open 24/7, and with this comes the open all-hours restaurant and bar. They can serve up burgers, pasta, sandwiches, and chicken wings. If your appetite is more for gaming, then the options available include poker tables, roulette, blackjack, and many slot machines. 

Grosvenor Victoria also provides players with gambling experiences for the uninitiated.  New players can book lessons on how to play and with your private table, you will also have free betting money to get you started. 

Not only can you access live tables, but there is also the opportunity to enjoy live sports betting. This is aided by the online service that Grosvenor supplies to its members. 

For more information, read our full Grosvenor Victoria Casino review.

One of London’s major shopping complexes is the Westfield Stratford City. This covers all lavish clothing labels, high street brands, and the fourth-best casino in London. Jump onto the Jubilee or Central Line and head to Stratford Station.

Once on-site, head to the top floor of the complex, and there you will find the Aspers Casino. Remember to come with cash in hand, because the ATMs at this casino charge you a £1.50 fee. Access is available to non-members and if you need refreshment after walking through the shopping hall. There are two bars, the Tanzibar and the Terrace Bar, where you can get any drink there is. 

When it comes to gaming, there are classic tables to enjoy and over 150 slot games. Games of note are three card poker, Texas hold ’em, roulette, baccarat, and blackjack. Besides providing all the must-have casino games, Aspers Casino is the first casino in the UK to have its own betting shop (dedicated sportsbook). This covers all major sports like football, horse racing, and greyhound racing.

There are some fair deals for players enjoying the surroundings of the Aspers Casino. However, these lean towards meal deals and things like matchday pint offers. Deal like this can make the place busy when major sporting events or on, but within the casino side, you’ll find you don’t have to spend all evening eyeing up free slots or spaces at the tables. 

For more information, read our full Aspers Casino London Stratford City review.

Gambling doesn’t have one set of universal rules. Players are different. We have different budgets, like different games, and we all have a strategy to win, to some degree, or at least to lose as slowly and enjoyably as possible. 

When it comes to choosing a casino to play in, there are no set rules. My only advice is to consider the six important elements that go into making successful casinos.  

Location

Living in London clearly has its advantages when attending any one of these venues. My top tip regarding location is to look at the minimal cost of travel so that expenses can be used on the games and not the getting there. 

Design

I am a sucker for architecture, but what I mean by design is the layout and functionality. A casino needs to have a flow to it, which is why all slots are usually to the side walls. You don’t want tables near a bar, and you want gaming areas to be clean and the casino providing access for players with disabilities.  

Games

A land-based casino should provide the classics. There should be roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, and slot machines. Any addition to this, then you have a casino that is trying to go beyond the norm. 

Customer Service

This is basic and you want a casino to get the basics right. I want over-the-top hellos and I want conversation with staff at the right time. Find the casino that makes you feel welcome so that you want to go back. 

Events

It is down to taste, but casino venues that put events on as an alternative option, are no bad thing. Events can begin a night out or end one. These can be the benefits of membership, parts of a promotion, or a seasonal celebration.

Amenities

Simple. Food, drink, smoking areas, accommodation, and cash machines. Look for a casino that goes above and beyond with their overall services. The best live casino experience should be beyond your expectations.