What is especially noteworthy is that the history of physical casinos in the United Kingdom is particularly rich when it comes to tradition. It has evolved with different legal reforms and has been impacted by social changes as well. Due to the fact that gambling was steadily more and more accepted by society, the UK’s government eventually decided to open its doors to regulated casinos.
As of today, the industry of UK casinos is in a very good spot, but it’s necessary to note that it wasn’t always the way it is now. Let’s explore the development of the first land-based casinos in the country along with classic gambling games.
The Emergence of Casinos in the UK
Attempting to choose a casino for roulette was not always as easy as it is today. It can be said that everything happened with baby steps, and all began in 1968 when the Gaming Act became legal. Thanks to this, casinos were given a free hand to operate in the UK. However, it came with a set of different strict regulations that need to be followed. It’s necessary to note that before this date, gambling in the country used to be not only regulated but also happened simply behind closed doors.
The introduction of the Gaming Act in 1968 added a legal framework to follow for casinos to offer their service in accordance with the law. Since then, players have been able to spend their time with their favourite gambling games in a controlled environment, which enabled a higher level of security and comfort that stems from ensured fair play.
The first casino opened in the country soon after the Gaming Act was introduced. Due to the fact that it was a significant success, a number of different establishments soon opened up as well. It’s necessary to note here that these early establishments were much smaller than the massive complexes that we can find in the country today. Still, their introduction was necessary to lay the proper foundation for the entire industry.
Classic Casino Games: A Glimpse into the Past
Some may wonder what kind of games were initially offered in casinos that were established in the UK after introducing the Gaming Act in 1968. Mainly, players could expect to spend time on classic card games that are still popular to this day:
- Blackjack – this is the most obvious choice, as blackjack was already very popular before introducing the Gaming Act in the United Kingdom. It’s a fan favourite due to the fact that it combines simple rules with the feeling of excitement that comes from beating the dealer. The idea here back then was to never go over 21 in points, and it remains the same to this day.
- Baccarat – even though this kind of card game was not as popular as blackjack back in the day and still cannot be seen as such, it already had a rather dedicated following. The game was favoured mainly by high rollers and was associated with elegance coupled with a lot of fun. Baccarat was associated with aristocratic circles, which gave it some sort of mystique. At least, that was the selling point for rich clients.
- Poker – another interesting card game that was available in physical casinos from the start when it came to the UK. Even though tournaments weren’t held as often as today, gamblers could spend time in poker rooms to compete. It’s a unique gambling game due to the fact that strategy has a lot more impact than blind luck.
The Introduction of Roulette: A Game That Changed the Casino Landscape
Even though the above-mentioned games were a popular choice, the most important one was roulette. The moment it started to be introduced in the UK’s physical casinos, players quickly fell in love with what it had to offer. At the time, the main offered types of roulette were European, American, and French variants.
| Variant | Pockets | House edge |
| European roulette | 37 (1-37 and a single 0) | 2.7% |
| American roulette | 38 (1-37, a single zero, and a double zero) | 5.26% |
| French roulette | 37 (1-37 and a single zero) | 1.35% |
Each type has its own advantages, but the European roulette was by far the most popular one in the early stages of land-based casinos in the UK’s development. It is mainly due to the simple rules as well as the chance to play for both low and bigger stakes. French roulette was also particularly liked due to the lowest house edge that stemmed from the introduction of such rules as La Partage and En Prison.