There are many factors which make London a great capital city. From its 2,000 years of history and world-leading museums, to its striking architecture and multicultural influences, London has a lot to offer both its residents and tourists (roughly 19 million of which visit the capital every year).
But did you know that London is also the casino capital of the UK? The city boasts more casinos than anywhere else in England, Scotland, or Wales – 24, in fact – and they range from the cosy and casual to the elegant and exclusive.
If you’re keen to experience the excitement of betsafe.com/en/ in person, and want to find out more about visiting these establishments, read on. This article will explore the city’s rich gambling history and explain why London is known as the casino capital of the UK.
London’s Rich Casino History
The Roman Era
London was founded by the Romans around the year AD 47. Initially known as Londinium, it became the capital of Roman Britain (replacing Colchester) during the 2nd century.
The Romans introduced many things to Britain, one of them being gambling. Evidence suggests that the Romans played primitive versions of the games we now know as backgammon and roulette today.
The Middle Ages
Although it’s been subject to changing laws throughout the years, gambling has been cemented as a major leisure activity in London ever since the time of Roman rule.
William the Conqueror himself enjoyed betting on the outcomes of jousting tournaments in the 1000s, and soldiers during the 13th century crusades brought a variety of new games to the city. This included Hazard, a dice game which Chaucer mentions in his narrative poems the ‘Canterbury Tales’.
1660s to the Present Day
After the restoration of King Charles II in the 1660s, gambling laws were introduced that closely resemble the ones we live our lives by today. Gambling was legalise, but well monitored, and any gambling houses or casinos that failed to comply with the law were shut down immediately.
The first British bookmakers, including Ladbrokes, started to emerge in the 1800s – by which time we’d become a nation of people that were devoted to the thrill of horseracing, gambling tables, and betting games.
London responded to this demand with the creation of its very first casino in 1828. Crockfords Casino in Mayfair is one of the world’s most exclusive and luxurious casinos, and you can still soak up its elegance for yourself today.
London’s Casinos Are Unrivalled
Most people think of Las Vegas when they think of a famous gambling city – but if you’re after a truly authentic casino experience, you’ve got to look much closer to home.
Many of these casinos can also be found online, where you can enjoy the buzz of a London casino at home through their live dealer games. It’s also worth mentioning that if you decide to play online, often you can find casino sign up bonuses which either offer a cash bonus or free spins, so it’s worth taking a look at sites like whichcasino.com/online-casino-bonus/ to find what deals can be found online before signing up to any casinos.
The location of some of the oldest and most aristocratic casinos, our capital city balances the fast-paced thrill of a flutter with a rich, distinguished history. From Crockfords and Crown Aspinalls in Mayfair – old gentlemen’s clubs which offer fine dining as well as traditional games – to a new Supercasino in Stratford, London’s casinos are truly some of the best in the world.
Why not don your black tie, brush up on your backgammon, and experience 2,000 years of history for yourself? There’s no better way to discover why London is the casino capital of the UK.
