The Gateway London: Our Land-Based Casino Review

Have you ever wondered how it is to play The Gateway Casino, one of the best betting venues located in London? To write this accurate review, our team has visited the venue twice and evaluated some of the most popular features players ask about: slot and table games, free-to-join loyalty system, quality of services, the overall casino atmosphere, facilities, and security features. Keep reading to see if this venue answers your requirements and is worthwhile joining.

KingCasinoBonuk.uk Ratings of The Gateway Casino

Table Of Contents

Our Step-by-Step Review Process For Gateway Casino

We reviewed The Gateway Casino based on several factors: games, slot machines, staff & services, loyalty and rewards, the atmosphere, and player feedback.
Our land-based casino review process is well structured to provide insight into a quality casino’s relevant aspects. Our team’s expertise in analysing online casinos is a plus in the rating process as it helps with objective assessment.

We made sure The Gateway was an excellent place for all players by subjectively accessing games, including their features, number of competitions, bonus offers, and more. We also reviewed the atmosphere to ensure it was cozy and comfortable for gamers.

When our experts review all London Casinos, they go through the same process. Although they work on mostly the same principles and offer similar features, our team looks for all the noticeable differences.

Let’s see what are the exact steps in writing a land-based casino review:

1. Seeing if it holds a licence: Before going to the location, we checked out the venue and noticed that it has a licence from the UK Gambling Commission; therefore, it is safe for betting activities.
2. Placing a firsthand visit: On November 29, 2022, our team decided to anonymously visit the venue to check out its games and other features of interest. During that visit, we had £100 to spend and tested Roulette. To keep our review reliable, we visited the venue a second time on May 29, 2024. Yet, this time we had a £300 budget and decided to check out the slots, poker, and baccarat tables. While there, we also took a meal from the restaurant and noted the quality of the services.
3. Writing the review: After returning, we took all the information we gathered during each visit and added or changed the review we had on the casino. We spent 14 hours making sure we had clear insights on the games, loyalty perks, facilities, and T&Cs.
4. Including comparisons and players’ feedback: Our team aims to give you also a professional perspective, so we compared the venue with other 2 top competitors. Apart from that, we include Google-checked data on what other punters have to say about their experience at The Gateway.
5. Maintaining the content to the market’s standards: We do so by repeating the visits and adding new updated about the activity of the casino. This way, we ensure our readers receive up-to-date information.

Comparing Our Visits at The Gateway Casino

• Date of visit:
  First Visit: 29/11/2022
  Second Visit: 29/05/2024
  Observations: We placed a second visit to check out new features.
• Time of visit:
  First Visit: 14h – 16h
  Second Visit: 18h – 20h
  Observations: We visited the casino in the evening for the second time, and the atmosphere was slightly different because there were more players.
• Initial bankroll:
  First Visit: £100
  Second Visit: £300
  Observations: We increased the bankroll to test more games and features.
• What we played:
  First Visit: Roulette
  Second Visit: Slots, poker, baccarat
  Observations: The second visit gave us updates on the minimum and maximum bets on poker and baccarat games
• Final bankroll:
  First Visit: £0
  Second Visit: £0
  Observations: The team did not retain anything from the initial bankroll.
• Open Hours:
  First Visit: 24/7
  Second Visit: 24/7
  Observations: The operator remains open at any hour for players.
• Membership:
  First Visit: Not required
  Second Visit: Not required
  Observations: It is not exclusivist, and you do not need a membership to play here.
• Security Checks:
  First Visit: 21 minimum age, ID checks for non-members, CCTV cameras, some security patrol on floors
  Second Visit: 21 minimum age, ID checks for non-members, CCTV cameras, more members of the security patrol on floors
  Observations: The same strict security measures were used on both visits, but patrols were increased during the last one.
• Types of Games:
  First Visit: Blackjack (Lucky Ladies and Perfect Pairs), Mississippi Stud Poker, High Card Flush, Mini Baccarat, slots, craps
  Second Visit: Blackjack (Lucky Ladies and Perfect Pairs), Mississippi Stud Poker, High Card Flush, Mini Baccarat, slots, craps
  Observations: No major changes regarding the game categories.
• Slot Games:
  First Visit: 20 slot machines
  Second Visit: 20 slot machines
  Observations: No other new games.
• Table Games:
  First Visit: 74
  Second Visit: 75
  Observations: The number of table games slightly increased.
• Parking:
  First Visit: 24/7, free on-site
  Second Visit: 24/7, free on-site
  Observations: The same top parking services.
• Restaurant:
  First Visit: Yes, open daily
  Second Visit: Yes, open daily
  Observations: The restaurant maintained its quality of services
• Loyalty & Rewards:
  First Visit: 3.9/5
  Second Visit: 4/5
  Observations: We raised our rating since VIP players can also get free drinks as a loyalty perk, among other benefits.

We have already visited The Gateway Casino twice at The Gloucester, London, United Kingdom. While the first experience did not allow us to try more games than roulette, we ensured we had enough bankroll (£300) on our second visit to sit at the blackjack and baccarat tables and play some slot machines.

We appreciate the venue for striving to improve its games, security, facilities, and loyalty perks for players. To us, it is clear that the casino’s consistent services, dedication to security, and variety of games make it a strong choice for both new and returning players.

Slot Machines You Can Play at The Gateway Casino – 5/5

The Gateway Casino offers hundreds of slot games on 20 slot machines, which is more than reasonable for a brick-and-mortar operator. We reviewed 20 slot machines with different jackpots.

Slots we played at Gateway Casino

How many slot machines does Gateway Casino have?

The Gateway offers 20 slot machines for you to choose your favourites from. As per UK laws, land-based casinos can own and offer players 20 slot machines with many games.

If you are not interested in slot machines, you can check out Maxims Club Casino, which mainly focuses on table games.

Do the slot machines accept coins? (UK)

No, you cannot use coins to play games on slot machines. You can play using chips, banknotes, or prepaid cards; those are the only remaining options.

Slot machine providers

 You should expect to play games from providers like:

• Microgaming
• Aristocrat
• IGT Labs

Local progressive jackpots

The Gateway offers players Local progressive jackpot games, which comprise players’ bets, which make up an accumulative jackpot payout. Because of little chance made on each device, local progressive jackpots usually have low amounts, £500-£4,000.

Looking Into The Gateway’s Casino Games – 4/5

During our visits to the venue, we allocated over two hours to testing the available casino games. We classified them into categories and noted down the betting limits allowed, as we have played some of the games below.

Game types

• Roulette
• Blackjack
• Poker
• Craps
• Baccarat/Sic bo

Betting limits

Do you need special VIP access to bet the highest limits?

No, you don’t need special access to make high bets, although The Gateway offers certain rewards and benefits if you join the Casino’s My Club Rewards.

Gateway Casino poker tournaments

In Gateway Casino London, players cannot participate in poker tournaments.

If you are looking for a venue that hosts poker tournaments, a good option is Manchester235 Casino. The casino has a designated poker lounge with regular and seasonal tournaments available.

What to Expect From the Staff & Service Quality – 5/5

The Gateway Casino has a professional team and service based on both our two visits and the ratings of players who have been and played games at the casino. You get to eat and liquor up, food and drinks from Atlas Steak and Fish, Red21 Tap and Grill, and more at the casino. Also, there is a spacious parking lot.

Food & Drinks

The Getaway Restaurant at Gateway Casinos London is open daily for players. The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM and Friday and Sunday from 9 AM to 10 PM. You can choose from various dishes and drinks, including a light meal, snack, or tasty beverage. Prices of meals should be below £30.

How much do you tip at Gateway Casino?

If you’re playing blackjack, roulette, or poker, you can tip the server £1–£2 if you receive a free drink. You should tip anywhere between 15-20% of the amount you spend on chips if you’re playing such games.

Does Gateway Casino offer free drinks (Canada)?

No, Gateway Casino Canada doesn’t offer free drinks to gamers. However, if you’re part of the Loyalty Rewards Program with Exclusive Membership Benefits and New Partnerships, you could get more than just free drinks.

Is there a buffet at Gateway Casino (Canada)

No, Gateway Casino Canada doesn’t offer a buffet service, but you can buy drinks and food. The venue has an entertainment centre where you can purchase your favourite snacks, drinks, and food.

Parking

Upon arriving at the venue, you can park your car for free—free on-site parking is open 24 hours a day.

Accommodation

The casino doesn’t have a hotel, but there are 4-5 star hotels close to it, which you could try out. They range in price from £100-£200. One thing about Gateway Casino, compared to its competitors, is that it doesn’t offer complete hospitality services to its customers.

Do you tip room service at Gateway Casino?

The casino doesn’t offer room services, but you could visit a nearby hotel. As mentioned above, the casino doesn’t provide its customers with hotel services. To that end, call a hotel nearby the casino; you can quickly search online for a list of hotels nearby.

Are there smoking areas?

No, there are no smoking areas inside the Gateway Casino London. However, players can smoke at a specified place outside the casino. There is a new UK nationwide No Smoking policy at land-based casinos.

Security

Security Officers are posted at the entrance to ensure your total safety; the surveillance team monitors the CCTV to ensure safety. Also, trained security personnel patrol the casino to ensure no criminal activity. The Gateway Casino takes security issues seriously to give players a pleasant gaming experience.

Getting Extra Perks With the Loyalty & Rewards System – 4/5

After discussing with the staff and loyal members, we discovered that players can join the Casino’s My Club Rewards for free. Visit their Guest Services desk, show your valid ID, and they’ll sign you up for a membership. You can get rewards and perks like free games, exclusive events and promotions, resort rewards, dining offers, and much more.

How does the Gateway casino rewards program work?

Joining the program is free, but there are five tiers of My Club Rewards membership: standard Reward card, Silver, Gold, Elite, and Ultra. By earning Tier Points when you play games, your Membership Level increases, and it’s calculated annually on April 1st based on Tier.

What you get

• Free play
• Exclusive promotions
• Great dining offers
• Access to special events
• Resort rewards

How to claim rewards

• You can join the Casino’s My Club Rewards for free by visiting their Guest Services desk.
• Present your valid ID, and they’ll sign you up for a membership.
• You earn 1 Tier Point for every £10 played on reel slots, then £20 on video poker, and £40 on e-table games.
• As you earn more points, your level at the casino increases being a member.

What the Casino Atmosphere is Really Like – 3/5

As we entered the venue and the rooms, we noticed that the atmosphere was relaxing. You can expect to enjoy games in a conducive environment. The lighting is moderate, and the tables are arranged strategically, with the slot machines in the same area.

Design experience

The Gateway Casino London design is luxurious; it has a contemporary-themed design that stimulates entertainment.

Are you allowed to take photos?

Yes, you can take pictures at the Gateway Casino. However, not all areas, especially the gaming floors, are open for photography.

Location and surroundings

The location and surroundings are reasonably good, but also clean and entertaining. It is located in one of the nicest areas in London, with many shops and businesses.

Do you need a passport to go to Gateway Casino?

You do not necessarily need an international passport to enter the casino, although it is required if you don’t have other forms of identification, such as your national ID.

Events

For members, the venue hosts exclusive events over time. Entertainers perform at the casino entertainment centres, so you can attend these events if you’re a member.

Navigating the Terms and Conditions – 4/5

The Gateway casino’s terms and conditions are favourable and transparent, as any land-based casino’s house rules should be. The main aspect is that the venue is secure. Also, you can play games with a small bankroll, take photos of yourself in the facility, and participate in reward programs for a fee at the start.

When is Gateway Casino open?

The Gateway Casino London is available 24 hours daily, from Monday to Friday.

Does Gateway Casino charge entry?

Only cash is required to play games and use other casino amenities; entry is free. Security guards will still inspect you while you’re in the casino and may ask you for identification.

Do you always need a reservation to play at Gateway Casino?

Sometimes you need a reservation to play at Gateway Casino. But for dining at the casino, you need to book a reservation.

Gateway casino membership details?

Although joining the casino is voluntary, doing so grants you access to benefits and rewards unavailable to non-members. You would benefit from going to the Guest Services desk with your ID to enroll and learn more about the membership scheme.

Dress code

Business/casual is the perfect dress code allowed at the Gateway Casino in London. Unconventional clothing isn’t allowed in the casino, so dress very casually.

Standout rules at Gateway Casino

Gateway Casino offers clear and concise instructions regarding what is or isn’t allowed at its location. Upon arriving at the destination, you will need to have your ID verified, as they do not allow minors. It is also worth mentioning that if you struggle with gambling addiction, there is a form you can fill out, and you will not be permitted to enter the casino.

Insights and Ratings From Other Players – 3.8/5

Based on Google and Tripadvisor reviews, the Gateway Casino London rating is 3.8/5, all from visitors, players, and members. We believe this is a good rating for a brick-and-mortar casino.

Gateway Casino player reviews

Google – 4.1/5

All reviews from players at the Casino on Google reviews suggest it’s a grand casino to be in if you want entertainment and a pleasant gaming experience. Staff are friendly and not rude, tend to customers effectively, and have a wide range of games with favourable maximum and minimum bets.

Tripadvisor – 3.5/5

All reviews on Tripadvisor are good compared to Google reviews. Visitors and players have praised the staff and their professionalism.

Most common issues

• Some slot games have a low payout percentage. Based on online ratings, many players have complained about losing a lot of cash after playing multiple slots.
• The food could be better compared to other casinos alike.

Who Is The Company Running The Gateway Casino? – 5/5

Overall, The Gateway is a well-known casino that the UKGC regulates and governs, making it a great casino to play in. Moreover, this venue consistently ranks as one of the top performers in the gambling industry.

Who owns Gateway Casino?

Gateway Casinos and Entertainment is a Canadian gaming and entertainment operator owned by Catalyst Capital Group Inc. The company operates in different locations in Canada and other countries. Its corporate offices are in Burnaby, British Columbia.

Other casinos by the same operator

• Starlight Casino Edmonton
• Western Fair District Raceway
• Grand Villa Casino Burnaby

Contact info

Who Are The Gateway Casino’s Top Competitors?

Top competitors of Gateway Casino include Boyd Gaming and Great Canadian Entertainment. We will see how these venues differ and what are the competitors’ strenghts.

Gateway Casino vs Boyd Gaming

Although both are established casinos, Boyd Gaming is at the heart of Vegas, with more operating gambling facilities than the Gateway—also, Boyd Gaming generates more revenue than the Gateway Casinos, which means they have more gamers and members at their casino. Also, Boyd Gaming facilities are at the heart of Vegas, a place known for gaming and entertainment.

Boyd Casino is best known for

The company has a vast library of games: 31,635 slot machines and 686 table games, far more than the average casino.

Gateway Casino vs Great Canadian Entertainment

Gateway Casino is a competitor to Great Canadian Entertainment, a gaming, entertainment, and hospitality company. However, it has more games and a better entertainment service regarding game choice.

A tremendous Canadian casino is the best alternative.

If you want to not just game but also have a hospitable experience when, after, and before gaming, you should visit the Great Canadian Casino. It’s primarily a gaming and hospitality company and does that better than The Gateway Casino.

What sets Gateway Casino apart from its competitors?

It’s a suitable casino for gaming compared to competitors; it’s one where you go primarily for gaming rather than to enjoy other services like hospitality. It has superb management service, better staffing, and a favourable reward system for players.

Pros and Cons of Joining The Gateway Casino

Is The Gateway Casino Your Best Place to Play?

Since the casino hosts various slot machines, table games, and a free-to-join rewards program, Gateway might be what you’re looking for from a betting destination. Its services and facilities ensure players here will have a great experience in terms of relaxation while the security is strict and you will feel safe at all times. Lastly, the gaming rooms are well-designed and built to make players feel comfortable.