There are many reasons you might want to travel to England. For Americans, it’s a place of great fascination and where most of our heritage comes from. We share a language and culture with the English, and although we might have gone to war with them to gain independence, they’re still our best friends and closest allies on the international stage. Going to England is a chance to immerse yourself in history while simultaneously enjoying the spectacular scenery of the Lake District or the modern metropolis of London. If you’re very lucky, you might even get the chance to see the Queen!
One aspect of British tourism that most people aren’t aware of is the casino scene. For Americans, casino travel largely starts and ends in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gambling laws are easing up in other parts of the country, but mostly only where it pertains to sports betting, which has seen an explosion in popularity in the past two years. Britain, like much of the rest of Europe, takes a much more relaxed approach to gambling. We’re not saying that it should be the focus of your whole trip, but if you enjoy a game of risk or chance, you won’t find many better places to indulge your hobby!
The entire gambling industry has changed a lot in recent times. While casinos are still thriving in England and further afield, most modern Playtech casino happens on the internet at online slots websites. That doesn’t necessarily appeal to the older generation. We know that online slots websites exist, and some of us use them regularly, but we’re more likely to be attracted to doing things in person the old fashioned way! Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of places to do that in England. Gambling is a part of British culture – so much so that there’s an online slots game called “Down The Pub” which combines the English drinking and gambling habit together – and if you’d like to try your hand British-style while you’re over there, these are the premier destinations that are worth your attention.
Manchester235, Manchester
Manchester is one of England’s greatest cultural centers. The industrial revolution started in Manchester. It’s a city famous for its musicians and artists, and also for its two enormous Premier League soccer teams, who have contested a rivalry between themselves for over a century. You’d expect it to have a great casino, and it does. It’s called Manchester235, and it’s on Watson Street in the middle of the city. This venue claims to be the biggest gaming destination in the northwest of the country, and we have no reason to doubt that claim. Aside from operating several floors of gaming tables, slot machines, and roulette wheels, Manchester235 boasts two restaurants (one of which is owned by a Michelin-starred chef) and one of the city’s finest cocktail bars. You wouldn’t need to touch any of the gambling games in order to have a great time here, but you might as well if you’ve made the effort to travel!
Genting International Casino, Birmingham
Birmingham is generally seen as England’s second city (although Manchester fiercely contests that claim), and it has attractions on offer to rival anything in London. One of those attractions is the Genting International Casino, which is one of the biggest in all of Europe with a capacity of two thousand. Genting is a chain, and chains can sometimes feel identikit and stale, but there’s no risk of anything becoming stale at this particular venue. We’re talking multiple bars, multiple restaurants, and enough gaming action to keep you satisfied for hours. It’s housed in a beautiful old building, so it also offers travelers the opportunity to enjoy some spectacular architecture as they pass the time.
Park Lane Casino, London
A word of warning; Park Lane Casino isn’t for everybody. We appreciate that some of our readers have expensive tastes, and so we’re including a luxury option for them. You won’t find a casino more luxurious in London – or perhaps anywhere in the world – than Park Lane Casino. If you want to become a member, the fee is one thousand British pounds. That’s well over one thousand dollars. You don’t have to become a member in order to play, although members do get access to several VIP facilities and private rooms. They also get to enjoy a restaurant experience provided by the highly exclusive five-star cuisine company Jewel of Mayfair, which ought to make for an unforgettable evening. Just remember that you’re not guaranteed to make any of your outlay back at the gaming tables!
Hippodrome Casino, London
While Park Lane Casino brings glamour to the English capital, the Hippodrome Casino brings entertainment. You’ll find cabaret acts and bands playing live music at the Hippodrome every evening, with the occasional comedian or variety act thrown in for good measure. With so much live entertainment on offer, you could almost forget that you’re in a casino at all until you turn around and see the three gaming floors, all of which are lined with slot machines. Londoners love the Hippodrome, so getting in can be difficult if the place is packed full of locals, but if you phone ahead of your visit and check availability, you should be fine.
Aspers Casino, Stratford
We appreciate that slots, be they offline slots or online slots, aren’t for everybody. For some gamblers, the hobby starts and ends with poker. If you want a venue that specializes in poker, look no further than Aspers in Stratford. Large-scale poker tournaments are held here every month, so if you time your visit well, you could compete in one of them for big cash prizes. Even if there isn’t a tournament going on, you should find that the tables are packed with players of all ages and all ability groups, so all you need to do is find your niche and slide in. You’re unlikely to get bored, but if you do, you have the welcome distraction of Europe’s biggest shopping mall all around you – the casino is right in the middle of it. That’s one way to spend your winnings as soon as you’ve earned them!
The gambling scene in England is lively and welcoming, and for many, it’s part of a big British night out. The venues are always happy to see visitors, so if you’re heading to this part of the world and you fancy a flutter, you’re spoiled for choice!
