London Hippodrome Casino Review

Written by Amelia Thompson

Amelia Thompson

Author

Updated: August 3, 2023

If you want to place a bet at the Hippodrome London Casino, you should read our review of the Hippodrome Casino, where you can find out what our expert thinks of the place following their visit.

Hippodrome Ratings

Table of Content

• Hippodrome Ratings
• Rating and Review Process Explained
• How We Review Hippodrome Casino London
• Slot Machines – 5/5
• Casino Games – 4/5
• Staff & Service – 4.5/5
• Loyalty & Rewards – 5/5
• Casino Atmosphere – 5/5
• House rules (T&Cs) – 5/5
• Players Feedback – 4.1/5
• Operator – 3.5/5
• Who are the top competitors of the Hippodrome Casino?
• Hippodrome Casino Pros and Cons
• Who Should Play at the Hippodrome Casino London?

Rating and Review Process Explained

We have visited the most prestigious London casinos, as KingCasinoBonus experts look to provide you with a fact-based analysis. We review local London casinos with the same scrutiny we select our top UK online casinos. Eight casino features make up our ratings to provide you with a comprehensive assessment of Hippodrome Casino London. The final rating is the average point of the casinos’ most essential features.

How we inspected the Hippodrome London Casino

• Date of visit: 05/29/2023
• Time of visit: 19h – 22h
• Initial bankroll for gambling: £300
• Money spent otherwise: £200
• What we played: Roulette, slots, blackjack.
• Final bankroll: £0
• Next visit: 11/28/2023

What we looked at

Most importantly, our first-hand approach for reviewing online casinos extends to the local ones.

During our visit to the Hippodrome, we tried several slot machines and played at two roulette tables, as well as exploring the restaurant menu and rooftop terrace.

Aiming to leave no stone unturned in our inspection, we apply both objective and subjective research methods:

• Objectively, we count the available games and take note of the services provided. We also check its licensing, house rules and players feedback.
• Subjectively, we give our original take on the casino’s atmosphere from a gambler’s perspective.

What we found

How We Review Hippodrome Casino London

Slot Machines – 5/5

Based on our research, the range of slots at the Hippodrome beats the average for the UK, and the quality of the providers makes for a high-end gaming experience.

Based on what we found when we looked at the games, providers, and awards, we gave it a perfect 5/5 score for slots.

How many slot machines does Hippodrome Casino have?

There are 20 slot machines, but 100 electronic games in total. Of these, 60 are lower denomination games which you can play with stakes lower than £1. Penny slots are an advantage, as they allow UK players on a limited budget to join and play. Still, they’re a lot fewer than the thousands of slots new UK slot sites offer.

Do the slot machines accept coins?

You may have to use the cash desks to exchange your coins for game tokens at Hippodrome Casino London. Alternatively, the casino provides a wide variety of banking options. You can make a bank transfer or pay with any debit card. Prepaids are also accepted and, surprisingly, foreign currency. You have the option to deposit your casino winnings in a Hippodrome account and store it for future gaming sessions.

Slots at London Hippodrome Casino

Based on our experience with the UK’s best payout online casinos, Hippodrome Casino is a good alternative for efficient payments and diverse betting limits, yet it falls short in terms of slot variety, and therefore, in-game multipliers might be lower.

Slot machine providers

• IGT
• Dominator
• Novomatic

Local progressive jackpots

The top progressive jackpot prize at the Hippodrome goes up to £20,000, although it can vary depending on the machine you choose to play:

• Eye of the Queen: £10,000
• Egyptian Treasures: £5,000
• Mega Bonus Joker: £10,000

Casino Games – 4/5

Let’s say you want to play poker, craps, or roulette. In that case, the Hippodrome Casino London has a lot of electronic gaming machines and 45 live tables spread out over all of its floors to meet your needs.

We gave table games a lower score because the table minimums are sometimes raised in the evening.

For example, when we were there for this study, the least you could bet at a roulette table was £10. Some players might think it’s too much, especially if they’ve looked at their website and seen that they have places where you can only bet £1.

Game types

• Roulette
• Blackjack
• Baccarat
• Poker
• Craps

Betting limits

Can anyone bet the highest limits, or do you need a membership?

The Hippodrome Casino London requires you to sign-up for a membership if you want to place the highest bets. That involves completing a form with your personal and contact information, just like registering on an online casino.

Live poker room

One of the best perks for punters at the Hippodrome is the live poker room, which is open 24/7. You can play no-limit Texas Hold ’em or Pot Limit Omaha.

Poker tournaments are held periodically, with different themes and top prizes like cash or trips to Las Vegas.

Staff & Service – 4.5/5

The staff at the Hippodrome Casino was friendly, helpful, and nice. The service was top-notch, and the CCTV cams made us feel safe the whole time we were there.
But there are no places to stay the night, which could be a problem. International tourists who want to stay for a few days must stay in one of the many hotels near the casino, which is a good thing.

The Dealers

Our roulette and blackjack sessions went smoothly, thanks to the dealers at the Hippodrome Casino London. The croupier’s focus and speed of movement should be noted, like their professionalism, but don’t mistake it for sobriety. They can crack a joke if you know how to speak.

Food & Drinks

The Heliot Steak House within the Hippodrome is open between 12 pm and 2:30 pm at lunch and 5 pm – 10 pm at dinner.

The Heliot is an ideal place if you’re looking to have a stake and one or two glasses of red wine. The food here is excellent and worth the £45 average price per serving.

There’s a lot of dish variety in the menu, from grilled octopus to pan-fried salmon and USDA-grade steaks, as well as many traditional dishes from around the world. On top of that, you have 32 wines to choose from, with prices starting at £7.

How much do you tip the waiters?

Heliot Steak House applies a service charge of 12.5%, but you can opt out of it and tip the waiters directly.

Parking

The casino partners with Q-Park, so if you travel by car, you can park just near the casino at 20 Newport Place, at £8 per hour.

Loyalty & Rewards – 5/5

Our reviewers gave the Hippodrome maximum points for its Rewards program. Enrolling is as easy as completing the membership form, and you earn points for every pound you spend at the restaurant, bar or casino.

How does the Hippodrome Casino rewards program work?

• For every £1 spent on drinks, food or live shows, you earn 2 points.
• Slots gaming rewards 1 point for each £5 wagered.
• Electronic roulette terminals reward 1 point per £20 wagered.
• In the poker room, you get 60 points per hour.
• For blackjack, roulette and baccarat live tables, point contributions vary.
• You can spend your points on any service the casino offers.
• You have 6 months to meet the necessary threshold and qualify from one loyalty tier to the next.

What you get based on the membership card

Casino Atmosphere – 5/5

If you have the right cash, the setting can put you in the mood to play. It looks and feels great, and you can’t miss the shows in the event hall below. You might even run into a famous person here.

Design experience

With an interior design combining high-quality materials and classic architectural elements, nights out at the Hippodrome Casino London are bound to be glamour-filled.

Are there smoking areas?

You cannot smoke in the building. However, smoking is permitted on the terrace.

Location and surroundings

The elegant building you’ll be playing in was designed by architect Frank Matcham at the turn of the 20th century. It retains some of the feels of the early 1900s, which is excellent news for history lovers.

Its 75,000 square feet are spread over 7 floors:

• 8 bars
• 3 gaming halls
• 1 poker room live 24/7
• 1 restaurant
• 1 tea room
• 1 theatre
• 1 conference room
• 2 private rooms for dining
• 1 rooftop terrace across 3 floors.

Events

The casino also has a designated theatre for live shows and themed events. Check the schedule from time to time and you’ll be able to buy tickets for exclusive music concerts, magic shows and live shows.

Moreover, patrons can rent the event hall for corporate parties, product launches and other private events.

House rules (T&Cs) – 5/5

After studying the Hippodrome Casino house rules, we can confidently say you’ll find nothing out of the ordinary. Entry and membership are free of charge for those over 18, as they should be, and the games are played according to the UK’s known fairness standard.

Hippodrome Casino opening hours

The casino is open 24/7. However, if you want to play at live tables, they’re available from 01 pm to 9 am.

Do you always need a reservation to play at the Hippodrome casino?

Gameplay is permitted on a first-come, first-served basis, but to participate in the  you .

You might need a reservation to eat at the Heliot Steak House.

How to become a member

1. Go to the Welcome Desk with your ID and ask for membership.
2. Alternatively, you may complete the pre-registration form on the website.
3. Provide your accurate personal info, occupation, address and contact number.
4. That’s all! You’re now going to receive a Gold membership card.

Dress code

There is no dress code, but a smart casual style is advised. We spoke to staff members on-site and studied the T&Cs online and the only requirement we could find was that of decency. Therefore, your only care is to fit with the elegant atmosphere of Hippodrome’s historic building. To that end, you probably shouldn’t be wearing sports trousers.

Standout rules at the Hippodrome

The only rule worth-mentioning has to do with money: players placing or getting paid bets worth more than £2000 must have their identity verified.

Players Feedback – 4.1/5

We studied player-submitted reviews for Hippodrome Casino London on Google and Trustpilot. Users generally give positive feedback, praising the restaurant’s quality and the top-tier atmosphere for gambling.

Hippodrome Casino player reviews unpacked

Google – 4.2/5

More than 4000 reviews make up the casino’s ‘Very Good’ rating on Google. The great majority of players have seen their expectations surpassed, especially tourists.

Tripadvisor – 4/5

Users on Tripadvisor have also been pleased with the service. Most of them have given 5-star reviews, cheering for the fun dealers and excellent shows.

Most common issues

• Drinks are too expensive for some players.
• Security guards outside may be impolite.
• It may be difficult to book a restaurant table.
• The place can get overcrowded.

Operator – 3.5/5

We must check the operating company to complete our Hippodrome Casino London review. Per our verifications, the venue is legit, carrying all the required government certifications.

Still, the company is no large-scale operator. It is not listed on any stock exchange and only administers one gambling hall.

Who owns the Hippodrome Casino London?

Simon Thomas owns the casino. It is operated by Hippodrome Casino Limited, registered in the UK with company number 05497987.

Contact info

Who are the top competitors of the Hippodrome Casino?

Grosvenor Casino (the Barracuda)

The Barracuda Casino at no.1 Baker Street provides similar services, but at a much lower scale. Compared to the Hippodrome’s 45 tables, Grosvenor has only 16. Slot machines are also in lesser supply at Grosvenor, with only 6 units.

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Palm Beach Casino London is also a land-based casino that we recommend. Even though it cannot be compared to Grosvenor, we still gave it high ratings in our reviews.

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Grosvenor is better for 24/7 real dealer play

Despite its more limited gaming offer, Grosvenor Casino is open 24/7, and that includes live tables, as opposed to the Hippodrome, where on-spot settlements are closed between 9 am – 1 pm.

Suppose you want to play roulette or blackjack in a more intimate setting. In that case, Grosvenor Barracuda might be your place to go.

Empire Casino

London’s second-largest casino, the Empire Casino, is at walking distance from the number-one-largest, the Hippodrome. Both venues look impressive and provide similar dining services. However, the available gaming options differ.

Empire Casino is the best alternative for slots players

The Empire Casino London provides 50+ live gaming tables, which is in the same range as the Hippodrome. What makes it better is the double number of slot machines. The 40 machines on two separate floors have 20+ games each, which increases variety. They also make the place less crowded, as you can find a free machine more easily.

What sets Hippodrome Casino apart from its competitors?

Taking into account its gaming offer and additional services, the Hippodrome is a strong contender to the best local casino. Even if the live games are not open 24/7, you get to play at the only craps table left in London.

Hippodrome Casino Pros and Cons

Pros

• Well-known IGT and Novomatic slots to play
• Three casino halls with 45 live tables
• A chance to play at the only craps table left in London
• High-class restaurant and serving
• Huge outdoor terrace on 3 floors
• A 24/7 poker room with affordable buy-ins
• Competitive loyalty scheme

Cons

• The place can get overcrowded
• You won’t get the same variety you get on UK’s top slots sites 
• The food and drinks can be too pricey for some players

Who Should Play at the Hippodrome Casino London?

Our experts think that the Hippodrome Casino is the best place to gamble in London as a whole. This means that it is good for any player and any size budget. But if you like to play Roulette, the Hippodrome is probably your best bet because it’s one of the few London casinos with European Roulette decks. If you can afford the relatively high £10 minimum bet in the evening, the Hippodrome Casino will be your best place to play.