Although online casinos are more popular than ever and people enjoy the convenience of gambling with their mobile phones, there’s no real legal gambling in Northern Ireland, aside from playing lotteries. This is on account of what some consider outdated laws in that area. Indeed, Northern Ireland residents are able to gamble online, as long as the online operator is based outside of Northern Ireland. But visiting a land-based casino is a great experience and many would welcome the opportunity to gamble responsibly. While change in that respect may well be on the horizon – various campaigns have attempted to instigate it – there’s nothing pending. Developers dream of opening a luxury casino with leisure facilities in Belfast, but those plans remain pie-in-the-sky.
Still, for those that do feel the need to stroll into a brick-and-mortar casino, it’s really not that demanding. With a little planning and simple travel arrangements, there’s no reason citizens of Northern Ireland shouldn’t be able to enjoy a night at the casino once in a while. So if you do feel like visiting a casino in person, here are the more appealing options.
Dublin – The Sporting Emporium
The Sporting Emporium on Anne’s Lane in Dublin City Centre is a popular destination due to the wide selection of transport links and positive reviews. Blackjack is a popular game at all casinos but, The Sporting Emporium also offers Free Bet Blackjack, which has some unique rules that should be taken into account when devising a blackjack strategy. The dealers are adept at explaining the game, but don’t teach you how to be a better player and as blackjack expert Michael Shackleford explains, employing a strategy based on mathematical probabilities can make a difference in reducing the house edge when playing. Whatever game you choose to play, if unsure of anything before or while playing, never be afraid to ask the friendly and professional dealers for some clarification or assistance as it’s better to lose face than money.
Other classic casino table games are available and the venue runs poker tournaments in association with Padraig Parkinson, the Galway professional poker player and winner of Late Night Poker series 5. The Sporting Emporium is also a great place to watch live sport if you find yourself in need of a change of pace.
“Craps table” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Lisa Brewster
Glasgow – Alea Glasgow
If you fancy venturing a little further afield, the Alea Glasgow is more of an entertainment venue with free entry to the casino and no membership requirements, although it’s always advisable to have some form of ID with you. At the Alea Glasgow, you’ll find a waterfront restaurant with modern Scottish cooking, a big-screen sports bar with sporting memorabilia, and different forms of live entertainment with tribute acts, hopefully as good as these memorable tribute performances, like Rob Lamberti performing as George Michael.
Yet, the casino is the real pull and while they don’t have the variety of games available at some competitors and they offer the lower odds American roulette, the atmosphere is jovial and the reviews often focus on the friendly and helpful staff. It’s a very spacious casino with a focus on replicating the Las Vegas feel and the assorted forms of entertainment available have made it a popular destination for crazy stag and the, per Bazaar, disappearing hen parties.
Dublin – The D1 Club
Returning to Dublin, the D1 Club is a more contemporary gaming experience than The Sporting Emporium and boasts a great selection of slots. Becoming a member will provide you with a €10 free bet to be used on slots or live tables and there’s a more relaxed restaurant and bar with live sports. The table games roulette, blackjack, craps, 3 card poker, and punto banco are also all available along with a Texas Hold’em and Omaha poker room.
There is an emphasis on state-of-the-art automated gambling machines, which aren’t to everyone’s taste, but the staff is attentive and welcoming. The location is conveniently close to the city centre and membership requirements can be taken care of online before you visit.
We’ve always been a country that likes a flutter, and an entertaining casino night isn’t too far away.
