Empire Casino London Expert Review

Find out if Empire Casino London is the go-to venue for you. KingCasinoBonus covers all gambling activities and related facilities to help you make the best decision.

Empire Casino Ratings

Table of content

• Empire Casino Ratings
• Our rating process for Empire Casino London
• Slot Machines – 4.5/5
• Casino Games – 3.6/5
• Staff & Service – 4/5
• Loyalty & Rewards – 4/5
• Casino atmosphere – 4.5/5
• Rules of the Casino – 4.4/5
• Players feedback – 3.5/5
• Operator – 4/5
• Who are the top competitors of Empire Casino London?
• Pros and Cons of Going to Empire Casino London
• Is Empire Casino London the best place for you?
• FAQs

Our rating process for Empire Casino London

Our testers follow a review process for physical gambling venues that is informed by extensive experience with the industry in all its forms, from top-rated online casinos to physical venues.

The Empire Casino London review covers all facts and facets of the provided experience, curated and inspected from the perspective of our contributors’ expertise in the subject.

The industry-wide comparison also is a cornerstone for our process and can better portray the standing of each business in today’s milieu.

How we inspected Empire Casino

• Date of visit: 11/29/2022
• Time of visit: 14h – 16h
• Initial bankroll: £100
• What we played: Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, Slots
• Final bankroll: £0
• Next visit: 05/29/2023

What we looked at

When on the ground, our testers will prioritise objective reviews of provided activities. Thus, they will note and account for the variety of tables, betting limits, rule variations, and the resulting payout rate.

Beyond assessments, we also use real money tests to review the overall adherence and qualitiy of said activities. However, this approach also allows us to correctly check the overall atmosphere and service quality.

It is crucial that we maintain anonymity and that we aim to correctly emulate the experience that our readers, as potential customers, would have.

What we found

How we review Empire Casino London

Slot Machines – 4.5/5

The Empire Casino London venue is great for slot enthusiasts. Given its variety and volume of machines, it earned a near-perfect score, being a contender for the best casino in London for slots.

Slots we played at Empire Casino

How many slot machines does Empire Casino have?

You can find 20 slot machine terminals within the Empire Casino London’s venue, this being the maximum as per UK regulations. In other words, this is the best situation possible.

Do the slot machines accept coins?

The Empire Casino enterprise’s slot machines do not take coins, as most terminals are modern digital systems.

Notable slot machine providers

• IGT
• Novomatic

Local progressive jackpots

Jackpots at the Empire Casino tend to vary. They often go up to £10,000, with some higher prizes such as £20,000, being recorded.

You can find progressive jackpot titles among the newer 44” HD-screen terminals.

Casino Games – 3.6/5

While you can find multiple worthwhile titles in the Empire Casino London venue, it lacks in craps, among other implementations.

Additionally, you cannot find European roulette tables on the casino floor.

However, the betting limits are permissive and accommodate most types of gamblers, from low to high rollers.

Game types

• Roulette: 14 tables + 90 electronic roulette tables
• Blackjack: 13 tables
• Poker: 1 Poker Room (Texas Hold’em, Omaha & Poker Tournaments)
• Craps: not available
• Baccarat Punto Banco: 8 tables
• Sports betting: not available
• Pai Gow tiles

Betting limits

Can non-VIP customers access the highest betting limits?

While most of the perks include events and exclusive gifts, VIP status can come with higher limits depending on the desired game.

Empire Casino London poker tournaments

The casino staff puclishes an updated schedule of ongoing tournaments. There’s an event occurring daily, from Sunday to Thursday, with a one-day break, on Friday.

The published schedule includes the starting times, which are usually 2 PM, the buy-in price, starting chips and time limits.

Staff & Service – 4/5

Customer service at the Empire Casino London, albeit not being ideal, provides for most needs and customer desires.

While there are many areas worth of prize, we cannot ignore some notable faults such as the absence of in-venue accommodation for customers.

Food & Drinks

The players menu includes meals that vary based on the time of day, course, and place of origin.

Food

The Empire Casino has a breakfast menu available from 7 AM to 11 AM, as well as an all day breakfast option, that is limited to wither an English breakfast or American pancakes. Needless to say the breakfast time menu is much more generous. Prices are acceptable, as they do not exceed £11 per course.

Brunch options include various great-value snacks and small bites, as well as salad and burger options that will cost you £14.5 at most.

Main courses include regional English trademark courses like the humble fish and chips, as well as more exquisite Singapore style noodles among other options. However, Asian food enthusiasts should look into the Dim Sum and gyoza offers. Naturally, the Empire Casino restaurant also serves desserts.

The best part about the food at Empire Casino is that it comes at a great price for the value it adds to the experience.

Drinks

The cocktails menu is nothing to write home about, especially considering the party-heavy capital that is London.

You will find some fruity martinis, as well as other various mostly Whiskey based mixes with a dash of the fancier gin tonic, or tequila based beverage, plus the obligatory mocktails.

All cocktails come at a fixed £9.50 pricemark, while mocktails come at a steal of a price of £5.

The most interesting addition at the Empire Casino is that you can participate in a cocktail “masterclass” where, under the guise and guidance of experienced mixologists, you can learn to shake, muddle, and create your presonalised cocktail, in an intense hour-long sesh.

It is rare to see a bar combine learning and entertainment, but the Empire Casino’s bar does just that.

How much do you tip at Empire Casino London?

Good etiquette dictates that you should tip at least 10% of the price of your order. However, the overall expenses for a full meal course and a drink are so affordable that you may add to that.

We deemed it appropriate to tip between £1 and £2 per course at the restaurant, depending on its original price, and marginally more for drinks, especially if the bartender managed to teach us a few tricks in mixology.

What about the Empire Casino Leicester Square rooftop bar?

Entitled “A rooftop VIP venue open to all” the Icon Balcony Bar of the Empire Casino’s premises is an exquisite destination for seekers of luxury at a discount.

Its placement may be the main attraction, and justifiably so, but the location also comes with live DJ sets on Firdays and Saturdays from 10 PM on. You can also catch site of some A-list celebrities, as the Empire Casino has hosted famous artists, from Julia Roberts to the iconic Madonna.

The Icon Balcony Bar is open from 5 PM until late every day.

Parking

With the Empire Casino being sandwiched between London’s nightlife district and the China Town, parking may seem to be a difficulty.

Unfortunately, the venue does not host its own private parking area. However, there are two Q-Park locations within walking distance of its location: Q-Park Leicester Square and Q-Park China Town. Both are open 24 hours a day. It should not take you more than five minutes to reach Empire Casino’s premises, since they are both at about 0.1 mile away.

Both parking locations have a £9 per hour rate.

Accommodation

The Empire Casino London premises do not have any in-house accommodation. If you need a room to visit, You can book a room at The Piccadilly, on the West End.

You also have less frequented options, such as Page 8, Haymarket Hotel, which is the highest rated 5-star hotel within four minute walk of the Empire Casino’s location.

For higher-rated options and luxury suites, you can go for the Hotel Cafe Royal or The Resident Soho.

Distance from hotels to Empire Casino London

• The Piccadilly London West End – 0.1 miles
• Page 8 – 0.2 miles
• The Piccadilly Hotel – 0.1 miles
• Haymarket Hotel – 0.2 miles
• St Martins Lane London – 0.2 miles
• Hotel Cafe Royal – 0.2 miles
• The Resident Soho – 0.3 miles
• The Resident Covent Garden – 0.3 miles
• The Clermont Charing Cross – 0.3 miles
• Sofitel London St James – 0.3 miles

Are there smoking areas in the venue?

There are no indoors smoking areas as per current British regulations, but you can pay the Icon Balcony Bar a visit and you will find a smokers’ designated area.

Security

There have been some reports in the past of security personnel ovestepping their limits with some customers especially when it comes to intolerance of inebriated customers.

As far as our reviewers’ experiences go, no such events occurred. However, we cannot ignore these remarks. Management has also been famed for poor performance.

Loyalty & Rewards – 4/5

The loyalty programme functions via the multi-casino Met Card, associated with the Metropolitan Gaming group.

How does the Met Card work?

The Met Card is a free sign in service that will reward you for any type of purchase and wagering within Empire Casino’s premises, and other such venues across the city.

The Met Points you will accumulate can lead to various rewards.

Met Card Rewards

• Exclusive invitations for in-casino events
• Exclusive entry into Met Card promotions
• Free play in exchange for Met Points
• Discounts on food and drinks

Casino atmosphere – 4.5/5

The Empire Casino London floor has a lavish, albeit crammed design that hits you with thousand volts-worth of lights right from the entrance.

The venue adopts a neo-classical mixed with maximalist baroque style that translates pretty well the main activity to be had inside.

View on the inside

The interior showcases considerably more modern accents, with minimalist design and vertiginous vertices darting the ceiling like abstract architectonic plates.

The centrepiecce – a series of chandeliers descend two Swarovski woven mantles like two great jellyfish. It is a sight to see and sigh.

However the most exquisite part of the entire experience is the Icon Balcony Bar, which crosses all t’s in intemperance, sumptuousness and customer satisfaction.

Design experience

The Empire Casino’s design direction goes for luxury, especially with the Icon Balcony Bar, but also maintains a tie to the proles via its sports bar and low prices.

Are you allowed to take photos in Empire Casino London?

The rules of the casino do not prohibit taking pictures within the premises. However, you should be mindful of the possible harassment caused by the action, especially when using flash.

Location and surroundings

West End is a lavish high-class area of London, comprising the famed Oxford Street, Marble Arch, Covent Garden, Mayfair, Piccadilly, and Leichester Square.

The area is known historically for its remarkable architecture and cultural and entertainment attractions. It also borders one of the nicer banks of River Thames, and London’s principal attraction, Buckingham Palace.

Events

The three main draws of the Empire Casino London nightlife experience are the live DJ sets on the Icon Balcony Bar, the Learn How to Play events, and the Cocktail Masterclass events.

Other activities can include, watching sporting events in the sports bar, participating in tournaments or opting into exclusive Experience packages.

Rules of the Casino – 4.4/5

Empire Casino London functions within legal bounds, as it adheres both to the British legal standard and the internal policies of Metropolitan Gaming Group venues.

Its last update of the rules of the casino has occurred on December 1st, 2022. The only questionable practices regard the unconditional exclusion of any customer with no reimbursement of funds. Naturally, this event cannot take place under any circumstances and is bound by the internal policies an posible repercussions of a resulting complaint.

Opening hours

The casino has a 24-hour functioning schedule every day of the week.

Does Empire Casino London charge for entry?

Entry is free within the venue. However, you should bring along a valid ID if entering past 9 PM.

Do you always need a reservation to play at Empire Casino London?

This is not a necessity. Nonetheless, if you wish to access various areas, or participate in private events, a reservation is advised. Same goes for Empire Casino London poker tournament events.

How to join Empire Casino London

Membership is not required as the entry and services are free. However, you can sign in for a Met Card and receive additional perks for your participation.

Dress code

There is no specified dress code per se. However, you are best to approach teh venue dressed in smart casual attire. No jacket or suit are required, but are gladly welcomed.

Players feedback – 3.5/5

The past player and customer reviews are a mixed bag with most complaints concerning the management and handling by security personnel.

Empire Casino London player reviews

Google – 3.9/5

The location is great, the croupiers – professional, the banter – knee slapping. Customer service, however can prove unwelcoming, while most other staff proving to be average.

Tripadvisor – 3/5

The Empire Casino is a cheaper option that is ideal for enthusiasts and members if the Metropolitan Gaming Group. However, some services are lacklustre and there is no real, certified luxury.

Most common issues

• We have encountered multiple complaints regarding the activity of security personnel and possible hard handling of allegedly inebriated customers.
• Management performance has been generally rated to be low.
• Some complained about the lack of craps options, however frequent this may be in London casinos.

Operator – 4/5

Who owns Empire Casino London?

The venue is owned and run by the London Clubs LSQ Ltd, a company concerned with operating sports amusement and recreational facilities and services.

The company currently has a pending application for a remote license which can hint to a future Empire Casino London online implementation.

Contact info

Who are the top competitors of Empire Casino London?

There are two main competitors in the London local casino market, Hippodrome Casino and Grosvenor Casino London.

Empire Casino London vs Grosvenor Casino London

The Grosvenor Casino London brand has a chain of casinos, with one, affectionately called The Vic, being located close to Soho. The group holds a total of 52 venues to boot.

While most activities are comparable between the two locations, Grosvenor Casino London provides extra facilities, such as parking, smoking areas, and extensive live sports activities.

Grosvenor Casino London is best known for multiple high-class venues

The Empire Casino London’s building has a great placement for its venue, but it cannot contend with the extended accessibility of multiple locations scattered throughout London and England.

Empire Casino London vs Hippodrome Casino London

The Hippodrome Casino London venue goes a lot more in the direction of light entertainment and bar culture.

The Empire Casino London’s game offer is possibly better for seasoned gamblers, especially poker players, thanks to its extensive accessibility to poker tournaments. The Hippodrome is more attractive for a larger, although less homogenous customer base.

Hippodrome Casino London is best known for bars, bars, bars!

Hippodrome Casino London certainly does one thing better, if not best, and that is organising greate and carried bar experiences.

What sets Empire Casino London apart from its competitors?

The Empire Casino London certainly wins in the location category. Albeit being a cheaper option with limited events and activities, the sheer pull of its West End pedigree amke it wirht the go.

Pros and Cons of Going to Empire Casino London

Pros

• Great location in the middle of London
• A multi-venue Met Card loyalty programme
• Worthwhile catering services at an advantageous price
• Good for clubbing too

Cons

• No craps available
• Poor managerial practices

Is Empire Casino London the best destination for you?

The Empire Casino London is worth your time especially if you play poker. However, regardless of budget, you’ll have a proper casino experience in one of the most attractive buildings in London. You should be precautious with behaviour and etiquette if you’re only visiting as a tourist.

FAQs

What is the largest casino in London?

The title goes out to the Empire Casino London venue, with its whopping 55,000 square feet of fun-filled space.

What is the most famous casino in London?

Unfortunately, size is not enough. The Leichester Square Hippodrome Casino London venue is much more popular among seasoned players and tourists alike.

Who owns Empire Casino in London?

The venue is one of the 11 properties owned by London Clubs LSQ Ltd, a company that deals with organising amusement and sporting events.