Major UK Casino Venues Forced to Close Their Doors
The UK has long had a thriving gambling industry. However, in recent years there are lots of big-name casinos that have closed for one reason or another. In this article, we look at some of the largest casino venues that have been forced to shut down.
Classic Roulette Table in a Casino – ? ThomasWolter, Pixabay
Closed Casinos: Famous UK Establishments That No Longer Exist
The UK is home to many gambling venues, including many well-known casinos. These have long been popular thanks to the wide range of games they offer. However, casinos have had to close in recent years.
There are several key factors behind this. Rising costs have priced many people out of the casino experience, plus regulations have made people less keen to visit their local casino.
Another reason why land-based casinos have closed is the rise of internet gambling. There’s a growing number of online casinos in the UK that make gambling much more accessible and convenient than brick-and-mortar venues.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the best-known casinos throughout the UK that no longer exist. These venues, which have entertained many people over the years, struggled to survive in today’s world.
The Ritz Club, London
One of the most famous closed casinos in the UK is The Ritz Club in London. This high-end gambling establishment was found within The Ritz, one of the capital’s most luxurious hotels.
The hotel dates back to 1906, though its casino opened much later, in 1998. It was located in the basement, which had previously hosted a bar and grill. After opening, it became known for offering world-class gambling experiences.
Despite attracting many players over the years, including some famous faces, The Ritz Club was shut down for good in 2020. This was due to various complications and challenges that came about thanks to COVID.
The Clermont Club, London
The Clermont Club in London’s Mayfair district operated from 1962 to 2022. The exclusive gambling venue was established by the late John Aspinall, known for owning not just casinos, but also zoos.
Over the years, The Clermont Club hosted some of the UK’s richest and most powerful people, attracting many high-ranking people from different fields. It became known as one of London’s leading gambling establishments.
However, despite having a rather wealthy clientele, The Clermont Club ended up having to permanently close because of COVID. Due to various regulations, the casino went two years without opening.
The decision was made to shut the venue down for good. It had lost a significant amount of money during its forced closure and wouldn’t have been able to make this back if it had reopened.
Crockford’s Club, London
Another Mayfair-based casino that’s no longer around is Crockford’s Club. What makes this closure particularly unfortunate is that Crockford’s Club was Britain’s oldest casino.
It opened in 1828 and took its name from a popular gentlemen’s club that had been open for over 100 years. During its years of operation, it moved venues several times and had a few different owners.
In October 2023, the casino’s closure was formally announced. Like the other casinos in our list, COVID was one of the key factors behind the decision to close Crockford’s Club.
Another factor was mentioned: the decline in wealthy tourists visiting London due to the VAT-free shopping for tourists being axed after Brexit. Crockford’s Club was a high-end establishment and needed wealthy customers to survive.
It seemed that the casino couldn’t rely on rich British people alone. A large part of its revenue came from people living elsewhere. When they stopped visiting London, the casino simply couldn’t make enough money to cover its costs.
Will More UK Casinos Close?
For many people who visit casinos, these venues are all about sophistication and glamour. While they’re known for their gambling opportunities, there’s a lot more that they have to offer.
Lots of casinos, for example, provide customers with everything they need for a memorable night out. This includes top-quality food, a wide range of drinks and high-level entertainment. Gambling is just one part of the casino experience.
Many casino venues have excelled by offering more than just gambling. They’ve also earned excellent reputations thanks to the exciting times that people have had there. Unfortunately, no casino is guaranteed to survive.
Even the biggest, most popular casinos have fallen victim to current pressures and been forced to stop operating. A venue might seem successful, but there’s every chance it’s struggling and might close.
Hopefully, the trend of casinos having to close their doors will reverse. These places provide jobs and give customers a great time, so it would be a real shame if there were more closed casinos.
