The UK’s Finest 24-Hour Casinos
The reason that the majority of people play poker, place bets on the spinning roulette wheel or spin the reels on a slot machine is to indulge in escapism. It’s the same reason that we read, watch TV and follow our favourite sports teams.
All of these things allow us to live in the present moment and escape the grinding monotony of day-to-day life. When it comes to escapism and gambling, there are plenty of options available, particularly with the rise of online casinos. But nothing, absolutely nothing, compares to the true escapism of making bets and wagers in a real, land-based casino.
There’s something extra special about doing it during the night and losing track of time and your senses like a character in Martin Scorsese’s epic 1995 film Casino. Unfortunately, here in the UK, we don’t have the same wealth of casinos to choose from as they do in the United States or Macao.
That said, the UK is home to a number of very decent 24/7 casinos, 5 of which we have profiled for you below…
Empire Casino, London
Located on the capital’s famous Leicester Square, the Empire Casino is one of the best places in London to play poker, baccarat, blackjack and a wide range of other table games, including slots and video poker.
Whilst this 24/7 venue does pride itself on being one of the friendliest and most welcoming casinos in the country, please try to dress for the occasion. There is no strict dress code like the Casino de Monte Carlo, but if you turn up looking scruffy, or like you’ve just rolled out of bed, expect to be turned away pretty sharpish.
Alea Glasgow, Scotland
Okay, so this one isn’t strictly 24/7. It closes at 6 in the morning and reopens four hours later at 10, but only so the staff can get in and clean the venue, making it ship-shape and shiny for the next wave of customers. Also, has anything good ever happened in a casino during the school run? Nope.
Plus, this casino is brilliant and well worth the visit, even if you’re not a massive gambling fan. Styled as a ‘Las Vegas-type venue’, the Alea is Scotland’s premier casino and has a wide range of games and experiences on offer for visitors. So, get yourself in the car and head north!
Manchester235, Lancashire
The Great Northern Warehouse doesn’t sound like an appealing venue for a casino, but trust us, it is. The Manchester235 Casino is a truly stunning venue open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
It also plays host to some of the country’s highest buy-in and most prestigious poker tournaments, and in addition to that, has great facilities for non-gambling fans who are perhaps just there to soak in the experience or support a friend.
Since the Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds – an excellent venue for table gaming – had its licence revoked by the Gambling Commission for money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, Manchester235 has become the North of England’s premier casino.
Grosvenor Casino, Birmingham
There are dozens of Grosvenor venues throughout the country, but the best 24/7 venue is located on Hill Street in Birmingham. The Midlands is chronically underrepresented in leisure and entertainment, but the Grosvenor Birmingham is attempting to undo even a small part of that.
Recent renovations have left the venue with a 150-seat card room featuring blackjack, Punto Banco, roulette, and an ample supply of poker tables. There’s also a newly refurbished restaurant serving decent food around the clock.
However, even top-tier casinos like Grosvenor are facing increased competition from online providers that can offer generous bonuses and the best no-deposit options, tempting casual players to stay at home rather than head out. Despite this, Grosvenor Birmingham continues to hold its own thanks to its atmosphere, staff and around-the-clock service.
The Hippodrome, London
Back to the Capital for this stunning venue. Billed as the UK’s largest and most popular entertainment and casino venue, the Hippodrome is a simply sensational casino that blends modern gaming with classic architecture and history.
Stepping through the doors is like walking into a 1930s period drama, and what makes it better is that the place is always absolutely pumping with people looking to have a good time and let their hair down. An absolute must-visit for any gambling fan making a trip down to London.