Top 5: Places in London to Play Slot MachinesBy Angelica Malin

Do you fancy giving the old fruit machine a spin? While you can always pop into a betting shop or local pub to try your hand at the slots, London offers plentiful places to test your luck in style. Here are a few of the city’s best places to play modern video slot machines, from the big names in Leicester Square to upscale hotel casinos. Also check out Casino Guardian.

1. The Hippodrome

We’ll start with the Hippodrome, one of a cluster of casinos in London’s Leicester Square. The Hippodrome is a relative newcomer to the scene, but it stands tall with three floors for gaming and 24-hour opening times. Electronic games, slots, table gaming, and a Pokerstars Live deck are all undoubted highlights of this glitzy former nightclub. In terms of slot machines, you’ll find them scattered throughout the gaming floors. There are games from major names like IGT and Novomatic, but the big draw of the Hippodrome is its ambience. You’ll feel like you’re entering an old-time speakeasy as you step through the doors of the Chinatown entrance into Lola’s Underground Casino. Upstairs you’ll find private gaming rooms and a cocktail bar, as well as table games where you can play Three Card Poker, Dice, Blackjack, and Baccarat.

2. Napoleons Casino & Restaurant

Another highlight of the Leicester Square casinos is Napoleons. Like the Hippodrome, it’s open 24 hours to serve you whenever you’re hit with a hankering for a round of slots. While some casinos in London are membership-only, Napoleons is a purely democratic venue with its doors open to anyone who enjoys a good toss of the dice. It offers classic, elegant casino décor and a relaxed atmosphere. In addition to the usual Roulette and Blackjack, you’ll find plenty of slots with a jackpot hitting £10,000. The dress code is smart casual, and the restaurant is worth a visit in itself – treat yourself to grilled sirloin and parmesan mash after hitting the jackpot here.

3. Grosvenor Casino

One of London’s biggest names in gaming is the Grosvenor. Head to Piccadilly’s Coventry Street to admire the stylish interior of this refurbished theatre. What was once the seating area is now the main gambling floor, where you’ll find an array of table games. You’ll need to head upstairs to find the slot machines, including action-packed titles from Novomatic, WMS Gaming and IGT. The Grosvenor also offers Novomatic Gaminator machines, which allow you to play several different games without having to switch machines. This is the latest evolution in the traditional fruit machine, which has come a long way since the first video slot was rolled out in 1976. From there, video slots grew to include features we all enjoy now in online slots like multiple paylines, bonus rounds and scatter symbols. Check out the history of slot machines here to appreciate multifaceted machines like the Gaminator.

4. Palm Beach

If you’re looking for a more upscale gaming experience, Mayfair’s Palm Beach casino won’t disappoint. Wear something smart to try your luck at this casino, joined as it is with the swanky Mayfair Hotel. The casino caters to a discerning clientele, but it’s rather small compared to larger outfits like the Hippodrome which makes it easy to navigate. The roulette, table games and slots are all located in the same gambling area. When you first arrive, you will be able to purchase a membership card that you need to top up in order to play the slot games. Palm Beach has about twenty to choose from, including top titles from Novomatic and IGT. If you want to branch out a little, there are also private tables available to host your next poker night as well as a dice table and high-roller tournaments.

5. Empire Casino

We’ll end this roundup with the Empire Casino. It’s about as close to a Las Vegas as you’ll get in London, with 40 video slots to choose from. Players can choose from many of IGT’s standout hits, like Pharaoh’s Revenge or Cleopatra, but there’s also a selection from Novomatic. Slots are located in the London Poker Room and the upper gaming floor. The full casino is spread out over 55,000 square feet and three floors of action, so if you tire of the slots you can try your hand at Blackjack and Roulette, Three Card Poker, or Baccarat. There are also four bars and a highly rated Chinese restaurant on the premises, so you’re unlikely to get bored on a night out here. Entry is free and the dress code is casual, making it a welcoming casino experience for one and all right in Leicester Square.

When it comes to entertainment, London doesn’t disappoint and casinos are no exception. Whether you prefer playing the penny slots or living the life of a high roller, visit any of these venues with style to spare.