Yorkshire’s Casino Culture: Secrets into the best locations

Yorkshire may well have a (totally unjustified) reputation for thriftiness. But it’s less well-known for the fondness of its inhabitants for taking their chances with a wager or two. Much of this is steeped in the sport of kings, with York and Doncaster racecourses hosting many of the season’s biggest races. The region has also seen well over 600 millionaires created by the National Lottery since its inception back in 1994.

Then there are the greyhound tracks in Sheffield and Doncaster, showing that what some see as a dying sport is very much alive and kicking.

As for casinos, there are very many to be found throughout Yorkshire, mainly based in or near the major population centres of Leeds, York, Sheffield and Bradford, with some in more surprising locations.

An overview of the casino scene

Ever since the 1960s, there have been a selection of casinos in the region, with Leeds leading the way.

Over time, the number has gradually increased. There have also been a number of high street amusement arcades/casinos that have opened their doors. These typically have a wide array of slots games alongside video poker and, occasionally, versions of electronic roulette. While they term themselves casinos, in the strict sense of the word, this isn’t totally accurate.

That’s because they lack the glamour, as well as the sense of occasion, that visiting one of the county’s grander brick-and-mortar casinos can bring.

The online alternative

Given that casinos are so firmly ingrained in its culture, it comes as no surprise that the online versions have also become very popular among gamblers in Yorkshire. Some of the local casinos understandably feel a bit threatened by their online competitors. The convenience of playing online is often more tempting for some people, and they are also able to offer bonuses for new players, as you’ll see when you discover more of the real money online casinos reviewed at Casino.co.uk.

They provide all the games and excitement of a traditional brick-and-mortar casino, with the added convenience of playing anywhere, anytime. The advent of the “live casino”, in which games are streamed directly to players, has also served to make the experience even more realistic. The spread of online casinos has also been facilitated by the county’s generally good broadband, which is set to improve further in the near future. 

Yorkshire’s best locations

However, demand for the genuine casino experience will always live on in the county, and there are two places where it can be enjoyed first-hand by those in the know.

The Opera House Casino, Scarborough

Scarborough might be best known for seaside breaks, fish and chips and marauding seagulls. But it’s also home to a gem of a casino.

As the name suggests, it’s located in the town’s old opera house, which stands on a site once occupied by a wooden circus building constructed in 1877.

In the Edwardian era, it was redesigned and rebuilt by the renowned local architect Frank Tugwell to create an old-time music hall called The New Hippodrome. Just before the First World War, it was rechristened The Royal Opera House and played host to many performances featuring famous singers, finally closing its doors in 1995.

The present owners bought the building in 2002 and restored it to its former glory, turning it into a casino in the process. Today it offers the full range of casino games, including roulette, blackjack, poker and slots. Popular with Scarborough residents and holidaymakers alike, its games are only eclipsed by the spectacular surroundings.

Victoria Gate Casino, Leeds

There was great anticipation and excitement when it was announced that John Lewis would be arriving in Leeds as part of the Victoria Gate development. Casino lovers were equally thrilled that there would also be a plush new casino included in the plans.

Today, it continues to offer an experience distinctly a cut above the rest of the city’s casinos, with 22 gaming tables and 175 slots in a lavishly decorated environment. Victoria Gate Casino isn’t the only casino to grace Leeds. It is also home to Napoleon’s Casino, which may be worth checking out too if you are in the area. 

An appetite for more?

While the county is definitely well-served for casinos, the question remains whether there is a capacity for more. For example, Harrogate currently lacks one, and surely many of the thousands of visitors and attendees to the town’s conference centre would welcome another form of entertainment. It would also create jobs as part of the mayor’s initiative announced last November.

While there would obviously be hurdles to overcome in opening a casino in the spa town, there are certainly some compelling arguments for considering the possibility.

But that, as they say, is a conversation for another day.