What are Londoners’ Favourite Gambling Activities?

by London-TV in Business

London has a long, rich history with gambling. For centuries casinos, card rooms, and back-alley bookmakers have made their home here and catered to the desires of the masses. The activity was first popularised by King Henry VIII in the 16th century. What started as a royal hobby soon spread amongst the rest of the court as people sought to emulate their ruler.

In the 17th century King Charles II tried to shut down illegal casinos which were opening up to the public. He wanted to ensure that casino games like poker, blackjack and roulette stayed the privilege of the wealthy, but as you can tell from the bustling casino scene today, he didn’t succeed.

London’s oldest casino in operation today was opened in 1928 by William Crockford. Today, Crockford’s casino in Mayfair, is one of the most exclusive casinos in the city, letting its members play in luxurious surroundings. It is one of around 25 different casinos operating within the City of London and catering to all different kinds of people.

London Casinos

London is home to casinos of all different sizes, from the multistorey Hippodrome to the upscale Les Ambassadeurs. Some are exclusive members-only venues, others cater to the tourist industry, and then there are those which are favoured by the locals.

Because London is such an eclectic city populated by people of different nationalities and backgrounds, the gambling on offer is truly multicultural and multinational. You can find almost any game, from standard casino fare like Texas Hold’em Poker and Roulette, to less-common games including Three Card Poker, Baccarat and Craps.

What’s Popular?

Slot machines are an all time favourite for Londoners.

With customers coming from so many different backgrounds, it’s difficult to pin-point ‘local’ trends – because the casino goers in London are rarely locals! However, there are a few aspects of the city’s personality that are reflected in the gambling on offer.

London is the Big City where people come from all over the world to pursue their dreams and make money. That ambition also drives people to gamble at higher stakes and chase larger jackpots. Big money poker games and daily jackpot slot machines are very popular amongst Londoners who gamble regularly.

By contrast, tourists who pop into the casinos as part of their holiday are more likely to spend smaller amounts as they’re here to enjoy themselves rather than to actively seek the big prizes.

Everyone Loves Slots

Slot machines are the most popular casino game and it’s easy to see why their appeal is universal:

• Easy to play – just sit down and put your money in the slot. There are no complicated rules to learn, and you don’t have to compete against other players.
• Quick games – you can play slots for as long or as short a time as you like. Each game lasts a matter of seconds – as long as it takes for the reels to settle – so there’s no waiting for the end of a round or having to sit through to the end of a game.
• Big jackpots – they might not be easy to win, but some slot machines have million-pound jackpots! Many Londoners fancy their chances at being the lucky one to take home the big prize for a relatively small outlay.

The Popularity of Online Slots

Because Londoners live by a busy schedule, many don’t always have the time to visit casinos as often as they would like. This is why online casinos are so popular in the capital.

Slots have transferred particularly well into the digital space because of the quick games and the ease at which anyone can start playing. You can fit a few spins into a bus journey, lunch break, or even while waiting in line for food.

To cater for this rise in demand online slot developers have been producing a vast array of online slots in different designs and themes. A very popular theme is the adventure theme, which lets Londoners leave behind the grey of the city and ordinary life and be instantly transported into jungle ruins on the hunt for treasure.

The Gonzo’s Quest slot is one of the most popular adventure slots and a fantastic example of the genre. Follow Gonzo as he searches for the lost city of Eldorado. Align the right symbols on the reels to reveal the hidden treasure and start collecting the gold. Sounds of the rainforest accompany your quest and help you feel like you’re really getting away from it all.

In Conclusion

The city of London has always attracted ambitious individuals, so it’s no surprise that gambling has such a history there. Modern casinos have liberated card games from private parlours and brought crap games off the street, to make gambling in London a truly enjoyable and entertaining experience.

Slot machines continue to reign supreme as the most popular choice for players in a casino, and everywhere you go you’ll see banks of them lined up, begging players to sit down and spin their reels. With co many different themes to choose from, you’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice, but also certain to find something that really appeals to you.