Detailed Forty Five Kensington Casino London Review

Are you wondering if Forty Five Kensington is one of the best Genting land-based casinos? Read our experts’ review and find out everything there is to know about the game collection, facilities, staff service, security measures, and VIP treatment.

Our team has visited the casino firsthand for accurate and transparent information, as well as pointed out key alternative competitors, players’ feedback, and the pros and cons of the venue. Continue reading to see if this casino is worthwhile playing at.

Our Forty Five Kensington Casino London Ratings

Table of Contents

How We Analyse Forty Five Kensington Casino London

The overall strategy for this review follows our land-based casino review methodology. By applying a multi-faceted evaluation approach, we strive to obtain the most accurate picture of the Forty Five Kensington Casino.

The information in our review extends our aim of providing essential, verifiable, and objective data on the state and worth of land-based casinos.

All tests performed by our expert analysts follow a review system developed according to the full extent of a casino venue’s functioning and provision of services. Our provided content can thus fully assess a land-based casino, as reflected in our ratings, and instruct readers in their decision-making process.

1. Getting background details: As with any other venue we visit and recommend, we must first see if it follows the UK Gambling Commission regulations. Forty Five Kensington seems to have received this approval.
2. First-hand visit: We allocated a budget of £600 during our two visits to the casino. The first visit was on February 2nd, 2024, while the last one was on September 3rd, 2024. During the first visit, we did not retain any bankroll from the initial amount and played roulette, blackjack, and slot machine games. In our last visit, we increased the initial budget but played poker, roulette, and baccarat games. The purpose was to assess the gaming vibes and betting limits.
3. Testing the games and facilities: Similar to how we review online casinos, playing games on the premises is the key aspect of visiting London casinos. Yet, land-based operators may provide many other services that we have to analyse, such as dining and lodging options. Our experts provide original insights and verdicts for each review area.
4. Researching top competitors: We want to offer you other alternatives so you can evaluate yourself what are the pros and cons of Forty Five Kensington and if it’s worthwhile joining. To do so, we pick up two reputable land-based casinos and compare them to Forty Five Kensington.
5. Updating the details: We maintain our content to the high standards of this industry, so our periodical visits to the casino aim to offer details about any changes that might have occurred.

Comparing our two visits to the Forty Five Kensington Casino

On our first visit on 02/02/2024, we spent £200 and played roulette, blackjack, and slots while staying there for 3 hours. By our second visit on 03/09/2024, we doubled our bankroll to £400, spent 4 hours at the venue, and tried out poker and baccarat as well. Despite the higher bankroll, we didn’t retain any winnings.

We maintained our 4/5 score for the slot machines and casino table games since the experience was pretty similar, and we did not encounter any new rooms. The casino’s games, security, and facilities remained consistent, but our overall experience slightly improved, raising our rating from 4/5 to 4.1/5.

What to Expect From the Available Slot Machines – 4/5

After our 2 visits to the venue, we discovered that Forty Five Kensington Casino London provides players with the maximum legal number of 20 slot machines on its premises. You also get progressive jackpot options, but the game variety is standard.

Slots we played at the Forty Five Kensington Casino

Slot machine providers

• IGT
• Novomatic

Local progressive jackpots

The slot machines at the venue are linked together in a local progressive jackpot network with a top prize of £20,000.

Slots participating in the network clearly display the jackpot counter at the top of the screen.

Insights on the Forty Five Kensington Casino Table Games – 4/5

As one of the Genting casinos, Forty Five Kensignton is adequate when it comes to the table games provided. However, no craps or cash poker tables are available. Our rating must also reflect the convenience of the betting limits.

Game types

• American roulette: 6 tables
• Blackjack: 5 tables
• Three-card-poker stud: 2 tables
• Baccarat/Punto Banco: 1 table

Are there poker tournaments at Genting Forty Five Casino?

Unfortunately, the only poker variant you get to play at Forty Five Kensington is three-card poker. The casino does not provide a room for cash games, nor does it host tournaments, despite the Cromwell Mint used to have a highly popular one.

Betting limits

Overall, the betting limits at Forty Five Kensington suit a wide range of budgets. High-rollers can potentially increase their bets by playing in the Queensberry Room for VIP players. On the other hand, low rollers can play electronic table games for lower stakes in the E-Lounge.

However, other casinos in London are better for blackjack low-rollers. For instance, at Grosvenor the Vic, the minimum is £5.

To give you some perspective, if you want to practice with broader betting limits, either lower or higher, you should try playing blackjack for real money online. Read our reviews to find the minimum and maximum bets.

Key Points to Consider From the Staff & Service Quality – 4/5

Our evaluation of the Forty Five Casino could not overlook the quality of the staff and service. Although no lodging is available, 45 Kensington Casino makes up for this lack with an exceptional restaurant.

Food & Drinks

We went for a snack toward the end of our visit, but the food proved so good that we stayed for a full meal. The friendly atmosphere will make you feel at home, but the price will be commensurate with the quality.

You can expect to spend around £100 for a full-course dinner for two. In our view, the cost/quality ratio is worth it, yet some visitors may still want to pay less.

Opening hours

• Restaurant: 7 pm to 1 am, Tuesday to Saturday (closed on Sunday and Monday)
• Bar: 3 pm to 5 am, 7 days a week

We advise you to inquire about table availability before visiting the venue’s restaurant.

What we had from the menu

• Wild mushroom & rosemary gnocchi – £10
• Kerala-style braised vegetable curry – £15
• Forty five salad – £6
• Red wine (Rioja Rosado) – £8.5 glass or £35/bottle

Parking

The casino does not provide parking, but you can find many private parking spaces around South Kensington for £10-£15 per two hours.

Lodging

While the Forty Five Kensington Cassino London does not provide hotel accommodation, you can spend the night at one of the many high-quality hotels nearby:

• The Exhibitionist Hotel – 5 stars
• The Kensington Hotel – 5 stars
• Crowne Plaza – 4 stars
• The Rembrandt Hotel – 4 stars

Are there smoking areas inside the casino?

Patrons have one smoking area in the building, but it is relatively narrow and can easily become overcrowded.

Security measures at the Forty Five Kensington Casino

• CCTV
• Bouncers and security staff inside
• Anti-money laundering measures
• Challenge 25 policy

Review on the Loyalty Benefits & Rewards – 3/5

Even if all Genting casinos share one and the same loyalty program, some details may differ from one to the next. Here’s our review of the 45 Kensington Casino London loyalty tiers and benefits for VIP members.

How does the Rewards program work at Forty Five Casino London?

There are 5 loyalty tiers:

1. Red
2. Bronze
3. Silver
4. Gold
5. Diamond

You earn Genting Points by spending at the tables and completing in-app challenges. Your loyalty tier determines how you earn the Points. As a rule, 1 Point = 1p, so 100 Points = £1.

Download the My Genting App to manage your account, track your points, and earn more.

What you get

• Free soft drinks for all tiers
• Up to 10% discounts
• Complimentary beverages and food

It’s worth noting that the discounts do not exceed 10% for any tier in the program. Moreover, the Gold and Diamond reward schemes remove the discount altogether and replace it with complimentary beverages.

Overall, this loyalty program lacks diversity, and the benefits are quite common. At the Forty Five Casino, loyalty discounts do not apply for food and beverages.

What You Can Expect at Forty Five Kensington Casino – 4/5

Before becoming Forty Five Casino, Genting’s former Cromwell Mint underwent a deep reconditioning process. Here’s our experience with the new atmosphere inside.

View from the inside

The Forty Five Casino is spacious and comfortable, although it is not that big, with only one floor and a basement. The building is well-signposted, and there is plenty of natural light during the day. Access to the main gaming floor is straightforward.

Design experience

What we loved about the Forty Five Casino is its tasteful colour choice. The vibrant golden nuances bring a touch of luxury without being brash. It’s a warm and inviting environment that’s perfect for gambling.

Upon arrival, you’re welcomed by a large, collonaded entrance that sets the stage for the elegant black and gold design throughout the casino.

Are you allowed to take photos in Forty Five Kensington Casino?

Similar to other Genting casinos, taking photos is strictly prohibited without permission. You must not use any recording device, audio or video.

Location and surroundings

Situated a 3-minute walk from the Natural Museum of History, the Forty Five Casino is in one of the most exclusive corners of London. Tourist attractions, including Hyde Park and Cromwell Palace, abound nearby.

Unfortunately, the casino does not provide a dedicated events space or hold parties for the general public. However, you might be able to book the place for a private event.

Navigating the House Code of Conduct (T&Cs) – 4.5/5

What truly offers us the best position to give you a reliable verdict about the casino’s Terms and Conditions is the fact that we’ve analyzed hundreds of them already. Let’s see what are the most important rules to follow as a player at Forty Five Kensington.

Forty Five Kensington Casino membership details

• You can register at the reception desk if you’re new to the Genting network.
• Alternatively, you can sign up online and access all the Genting clubs in London and the UK.
• We strongly recommend reading our Genting Casino review before registering.
• Membership is free, but you must prove your identity with a photographic ID.
• You must pick up your physical membership card if you pre-register online.

Dress code

While the Terms of Genting state nothing about what you should wear, they do mention that you may be refused entry if you’re not dressed properly. Any piece of clothing deemed offensive might leave you out of the casino, so it’s best to prioritize decency.

When is the Forty Five Casino London open?

The casino is open seven days a week, between 2 pm and 5 am. The main reason our rating dropped 0.5 points is that the best casinos in London usually operate 24/7.

Does Forty Five Kensington Casino charge entry?

Genting casinos operate an open-door policy, so entry is free for everyone.

Do you always need a reservation to play at Forty Five Kensington Casino?

You don’t need a reservation to visit and play. However, it’s best to make a reservation, especially if you plan to play in the private salon or eat at the restaurant.

Standout rules from Genting T&Cs

• Personal relationships between patrons and staff are forbidden.
• You must not borrow money from other customers.
• You must not use recording devices such as cameras or voice recorders.
• You must not use electronic devices of any kind.
• Using your phone while playing is strictly prohibited.

How to contact the Forty Five Kensington Casino London

Players’ Reviews & Feedback – 4.1/5

Analysing player feedback can reveal details that might otherwise evade us. Here is a quick look at the ratings on Google and Tripadvisor of Forty Five Casino London as seen from the player’s perspective.

Forty Five Kensington Casino player reviews

Google – 3.8/5

The high-quality restaurant and intimate gambling environment earned the casino 3.8 stars from UK players who submitted a review on Google.

Tripadvisor – 4.5/5

The casino has only 11 reviews on Tripadvisor, mostly 5 stars and a single 1-star rating that was promptly answered by a casino representative with an offer for a complimentary dinner.

Most common issues

• Restrictive door policy (confirmed)
• Rude staff (unconfirmed)
• No free drinks for visitors (unconfirmed)
• Crowded on some days (confirmed)

Who Runs Forty Five Kensington Casino? – 5/5

One important piece of advice from our specialists is that you should not skip the background check when gambling in a London casino. However, Genting Clubs are very popular in the UK, and the operator has a great reputation among the British audience.

Who owns Forty Five Kensington Casino?

Genting Casinos UK Limited owns Forty Five Kensington Casino and holds a UKGC licence. Therefore, legitimacy concerns are out of the discussion.

The company is a subsidiary of Genting Global, a renowned operator of the Genting online casino and land-based casinos in several countries, including Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, the USA, and more.

Other UK casinos by the same operator

• Genting Casino Chinatown
• Genting Casino Reading
• Crockfords Casino

The list is not exhaustive. Genting operates more than 30 UK casinos.

Who Is the Top Competition of Forty Five Kensington Casino?

Checking out other alternatives is the key to making an informed decision. Our mission is to offer you alternatives so you can have a clear overview without being influenced by third parties. In this section, you will find the main comparison points between Forty Five Kensington and Crockfords and Grosvenor the Rialto Casino.

Forty Five Kensington Casino vs Crockfords Casino

Crockfords Casino is not a direct competitor, as it, too, is owned by the Genting Group. However, it’s instructive to compare the two venues:

• Crockfords is an exclusive casino for VIP players with a paid membership system.
• Forty Five Casino provides a free membership, but no multiplayer poker tables.
• Crockfords has many private salons for high-rollers, Forty Five Casino just one.
• Forty Five Casino has 20 slot machines, while Crockfords has none.

Crockfords Casino is better for VIP players

If you want to be served at the highest standard, Crockfords Casino is your place to go. High rollers usually prefer table games, so the lack of slot options and paid membership will not affect them.

Forty Five Kensington Casino vs Grosvenor the Rialto

Let’s see how the venue compares with the Rialto:

• Grosvenor is open 24/7, while Kensington is not.
• In terms of slot machines, the two venues are similar.
• The Rialto holds Texas Hold’em poker tournaments, while the Kensington doesn’t organise events on its premises.
• Both allow the linking of your online account with your land-based gameplay in partnering casinos.

Grosvenor the Rialto is the best option for poker players

Overall, The Rialto Casino is similar to the Forty Five Kensington Casino in size and gaming options. However, the Rialto’s poker tournaments make it unique. Players wanting to play poker in a more lively atmosphere would choose Grosvenor on any day.

Ins and Outs of Playing at Forty Five Kensington Casino

Ins

• Fully refurbished on the former Cromwell Mint
• Comprehensive table game selection
• Mobile app to link your online and land-based gameplay
• Operated by a respectable company

Outs

• No multiplayer poker tables or tournaments
• You cannot use the Genting Rewards points or discounts for food and beverages
• No lodging is provided whatsoever

Should Forty Five Casino London Be Your Next Betting Choice?

Genting clubs may have become commonplace in the UK, but the Forty Five Casino is unique and worth visiting. The golden and black nuances make you feel like a VIP player, even if you’re there to play £10 on a random Thursday evening. The classy design of the Forty Five Casino is inimitable.

There are no dazzling red lights to blind your senses, as you see in most local casinos, which is a great plus. Gamblers who want a luxurious experience without paying for membership will be satisfied here.