The Sportsman Casino London Review

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Ratings for the Sportsman Casino London

Table of contents

How we rated the Sportsman Casino London

We’ve already devised a rating and review system for adding new UK online casinos to our database, so we adapted it for our local casino research.

Similar to how we sign up and play on each site we review, we paid the Sportsman an anonymous visit and evaluated its facility.

Review Parameters

• Date of visit: 12/12/2022
• Time of visit: 17h – 20h
• Initial bankroll: £250
• What we played: Roulette, slots
• Final bankroll: £0
• Next visit: 06/06/2023

What we rated

We aim to provide UK players with an all-inclusive assessment of how the casino works to help you decide if it’s the right venue for you to play.

That’s why we rate 8 different features in each of our reviews, including the games, operator, building, facilities and more.

Such a complex rating system helps us produce an accurate final mark, which can ultimately help you better compare your options.

Quick facts

How we review Sportsman Casino London

The information you read in our Sportsman Casino London review is extension of 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 London land-based casino, as reflected in our ratings, and instruct readers in their decision-making process.

Slot Machines – 4.5/5

The Sportsman is a great place to play if you’re into Novomatic and IGT slots. Spinning the reels feels excellent on the adjustable seats. Still, we must reflect on the lack of diversity in our final mark.

Slots we played at The Sportsman Casino London

How many slot machines does The Sportsman Casino London have?

We counted 20 slot machines at the Sportsman, which is the maximum legal limit.

Slot machine providers

• Novomatic
• IGT

Local progressive jackpots

The slots’ top jackpot prizes range between £4,000 to £10,000, with a local progressive of up to £20,000.

Eligible bets for jackpot prizes start at £0.2.

Casino Games – 4/5

You’ll find 17 tables covering the standard range of casino games at the Sportsman Casino, all located on the gaming floor by the main entrance. Unique to the Sportsman is the availability of Pai Gow. Still, this exotic game cannot make for the absence of European roulette tables.

A selection of 25 electronic roulette machines completes the gaming offer.

Game types available

• American Roulette
• Blackjack
• Three Card Poker
• Baccarat/Punto Banco
• Pai Gow

Betting limits

Can anyone bet the highest limits?

You have to become a member to access the highest limits. Unidentified customers and non-members can only wager and receive payouts of up to £1500.

French minimum bets for roulette

• Voisins – £45
• Tier – £30
• Orphelin – £25

Maximum stakes for French bets are the same as the table limits.

Does the Sportsman Casino London host poker tournaments?

Sadly, you can only play three-card poker on the premises, but no Texas Hold’em or any other cash games.

Head to the Hippodrome Casino or any of Grosvenor’s the Vic or Rialto for poker cash games and tournaments.

Staff & Service – 3.5/5

We have experienced high-quality customer service on our visit. The Zaman Restaurant regularly updates its menu, and the two bars offer a wide range of beers, wines, spirits and cocktails.

Keeping true to our UK local casino review system, we must mention that the Sportsman lacks free parking and lodging.

Food & Drinks

Chef Mahmud Zaman is responsible for the fantastic Indian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean plates found at the Sportsman’s restaurant.

Food is prepared to the highest standards, and you can choose between vegetarian, vegan and carnivore options and brasserie-style recipes.

What’s on the menu?

• Chicken tikka wrap – £5
• Mozzarella and tomato panini – £5
• Penne arrabbiata – £12
• Grilled baby chicken – £15
• King prawns – £13
• Chilli sea bass – £18

If you’re up for a glass after a long gaming session, you’ll find favourite beverage in the Sportsman’s two bars. Options include beer, wines, champagne and a range of spirits.

Prices for a drink start at £2.75, and a wine bottle costs £25 on average. For a fine Laurent-Perrier champagne bottle, you’ll have to pay £90-£250.

How much should you tip the waiters?

A service fee of 12.5% is added to your final bill. Still, you can legally opt out of it or tip the staff directly.

Parking

The Sportsman does not provide free parking. Still, there are several paid options at walking distance from the casino:

• The APCOA Oxford Street car park
• NCP Car Park London Marble Arch
• Q-Park Marble Arch

Accommodation

Unfortunately, the Sportsman provides no lodging, but there are options nearby.

What hotels are near The Sportsman Casino?

• The Leonard Hotel
• The Montcalm London Marble Arch
• Hard Rock Hotel London
• Thistle London Marble Arch

Security

Not much information is provided about security. However, we know the venue is UKGC-licensed, which means several things:

• Game payouts are tested for fairness
• Roulette wheels are not biassed
• Players’ data is handled securely according to the GDPR
• Security staff ensure no minors or problem gamblers enter the casino premises

Loyalty & Rewards – 5/5

The Sportsman’s loyalty program is among the UK’s best. When you become a member, you receive your own “Met Card Jack”. That automatically enlists you in the loyalty program shared across all UK casinos from Metropolitan Gaming.

How does the Met Card work?

Playing any electronic and live game and ordering at the restaurant accrue you Met Points, which determine your Tier.

Benefits and discounts get progressively better with each Tier status to upgrade.

The rates at which you receive Met Points vary. As for spending, 100 Points are equivalent to £1.

Met Card types

• The Met Card Jack
• The Met Card Queen
• The Met Card King
• The Met Card Ace

What you get

• Invitations to special on-site events
• Entry to Met Card-specific promotions
• Discounts on food and drinks

How to register in the program and check your status

Registering for the loyalty program is as easy as signing up for a membership.

You can check your current Tier and Points balance by logging into the Metropolitan Gaming website.

Casino atmosphere – 5/5

Players looking to emulate a Las Vegas-style casino experience in London will appreciate the ambience at the Sportsman Casino. The trendy 15,000-square-foot gaming venue was quiet during our visit, but we found it can get overcrowded during the summer.

The casino keeps you engaged with monthly events ranging from slots tournaments, learning sessions and special parties. Plus, you can host your private event on the premises.

View from the inside

Tastefully decorated in a contemporary style, the Sportsman London Casino caters best to younger players with an eye for the latest fashion.

To a degree, how the Sportsman looks on the inside explains its more relaxed dress code compared to other local casinos in London. You don’t feel like wearing a suit and tie here!

Our take on the Sportsman’s design

The marble pillars in the main gaming room create a stunning effect. While marble gives off a luxurious vibe, coloured lighting can be distracting. All gaming rooms at the facility share the same contemporary style, including the private high-stakes room.

Location and surroundings

The venue on Old Quebec Street is surrounded by London attractions such as the Marble Arch monument no.9 and Hyde Park. The Kensington and Buckingham Palaces are at walking distance, as well.

Events

• Slot tournaments
• Private parties
• Seasonal parties open for the public
• Gambling tuition events

House rules (T&Cs) – 4/5

We found the Sportsman’s rules more relaxed compared to other local operators. An open-door policy makes room for players of all budgets; you don’t have to wear a jacket and tie if you don’t want to. Still, the venue is not available 24/7.

When is the Sportsman London Casino open?

You can play at the casino daily from 12:00 pm to 6:00 am.

Do you pay to enter the Sportsman?

Entrance is free for anyone of legal age.

How to become a member

1. You can become a member online or by filling out a form on the premises if you have an ID.
2. Click on your account picture or name.
3. You’ll be redirected to the Metropolitan Gaming site.
4. Find the option to create an account.
5. Enter your information and complete the process.

Dress code

Smart casual is preferred at the Sportsman. There may be events where more formal attire is required. Still, generally, you can enter the casino freely as long as you wear clean and tidy clothes. Jeans are acceptable as long as they’re not ripped.

Standout rules

We’ve only found the usual, common-sense rules in the Sportsman’s T&Cs. The only detail worth studying is the Met Card and how it links your experience at all Metropolitan Gaming casinos in the UK.

Players feedback – 4.3/5

It’s important to keep count of what the players say. For this Sportsman Casino London review, we studied player-submitted opinions. We mapped out the most common issues you may face.

Our rating is based on data extracted from Google reviews and Tripadvisor.

Player reviews

Google – 4.1/5

Sportsman’s staff gets the most numerous mentions in the available 190 Google reviews, and they’re mostly positive.

Tripadvisor – 4.5/5

Tripadvisor reviewers have positive feedback for the Sportsman’s bar, restaurant and professional dealers.

Most common issues

• Impolite staff
• Table minimums too high
• The staff may prioritise longtime players over newcomers

Operator – 5/5

Our background checks prove the company that operates the casino is trustworthy.

Who owns the Sportsman Casino London?

The Sportsman Casino is owned by Metropolitan Gaming, a company that famously bought all the European and African properties from global gambling powerhouse Caesars Entertainment.

All casinos operated by Metropolitan Gaming are UKGC-licensed and abide by local legislation.

Other Metropolitan Gaming casinos in the UK

• Park Lane Club
• Rendezvous Brighton
• Manchester 235
• Alea Nottingham
• Empire Casino
• Alea Glasgow
• Metropolitan Mayfair

Contact info

Who are the top competitors of The Sportsman Casino London?

The Sportsman’s main flaws are the lack of European roulette tables and poker cash games, so the top competitor venues are those offering such games. Let’s set them side by side!

The Vic

London’s Grosvenor Victoria Casino has more slots (40 vs 20) and gaming tables (30 vs 17). However, the betting range is more restrictive, with £1,000 maximum bets. On the other hand, the Sportsman allows bets of up to £30,000, which makes it better for high-stakes play.

Despite the Vic having more game types, none of the two casinos facilitates European roulette play, so the comparison ends in a draw from this point of view.

The Vic is best for poker players

The Vic is your place to go for a poker cash game. You can always sit at one of the poker tables open daily. Find more information about poker tournaments from our dedicated review of Grosvenor the Victoria.

The Hippodrome

Both have a similar selection of slots, but the Hippodrome has more gaming tables (45 vs 17). The dress code at the Hippodrome Casino is arguably stricter. You won’t see jeans there or trousers there, while Sportsman Casino them.

The Hippodrome’s starting bets for live tables vary but tend to be higher than the Sportsman’s £1 minimum.

The surrounding atmosphere is just as important for roulette players, and we consider the Hippodrome’s classy, Renaissance-style interior more suited for high-rollers.

The Hippodrome is best for European roulette players

We played at several European roulette tables for our Hippodrome Casino review. Read our full analysis to see if the Hippodrome may have other advantages that suit you better.

What sets the Sportsman Casino London apart from its competitors?

The Sportsman is the most relaxed and welcoming of London’s high-end casinos, making it better suited for a younger audience. The monthly Learn to Play events confirm that the London casino is the best for new players.

Hits and misses of the Sportsman Casino London

Hits

• Relaxed dress code
• Welcoming to beginners
• Slots tournaments
• Opportunity to play Pai Gow
• Excellent food by chef Zaman

Misses

• No European roulette tables
• Limited variety of slots providers
• No lodging and no free parking for members
• Limited schedule, with competitors offering round-the-clock service

Is the Sportsman Casino London your best place to play?

If you’re a new gambler, a visit to the venue can prove rewarding, even if you’re not attending the Learn to Play events. Compared to other local casinos, our review found the personnel friendlier and more readily available to answer game-related questions.