The Hippodrome London
Online Roulette Guide
The Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square. Join us for a look around.
Probably the best atmosphere in the capital.
Leicester Square
The Hippodrome Casino has become something of a landmark destination in Leicester Square in London. If you are ever in the West End, you should pop in and check it out. It’s well worth a visit.
If you can’t make it in person, the next best thing is to play on the Evolution Dual Play roulette tables. The action is streamed live from the Hippodrome in London and you will be playing alongside the punters at the tables.
The Hippodrome is an iconic building on the corner of Charing Cross Road and Leicester Square, opposite Leicester Square Tube station. It’s been a theatre and a music hall in the past and is now a casino with a club, restaurants and bars spread out over four floors. Your other option in London is Aspers Stratford– but that’s about a 30-minute cab ride from town. The nice thing about the Hippodrome is that it’s right in the thick of it.
At the beginning of 2006, entrepreneur Charmaine Haig took on the lease of the building and set about getting a casino licence. He ended up running it as a private event venue before selling the lease on to Jimmy and Simon Thomas in 2009, who restored the building with a £40 million investment.
The Hippodrome Casino was opened in July 2012 with four floors of casino gaming, a Gold Room casino in the basement, the Heliot restaurant, six bars, a smoking terrace and The Matcham Room cabaret theatre.
The Best Bit about the Hippodrome Casino
Our favourite bit is Lola’s Underground Casino in the basement (which was formerly the Gold Room). Lola’s is a unique area with live entertainment in the middle of the gaming action, with one of London’s few craps tables (which they have renamed “Dice” for the locals), plus roulette and blackjack tables that surround a cage with Lola’s gorgeous dancing girls.
Lola’s is a throwback to the Hippodrome of 1900. Then, if you head upstairs there is a big gaming floor and sweeping staircases up to the third-floor cocktail bar. The Heliot Steak restaurant at the top of the gallery overlooking the gaming floor is a must if you like your sirloin. We had a medium 300g (10 oz) Sirloin USDA Prime Steak (medium rare). Delicious.
The main arena casino floor has a cool central bar and full-height ceiling up to the minstrel’s gallery of the original theatre. It’s a spectacular setting in which to play roulette.
Hippodrome Casino Tips
– There are lots of levels to the Hippodrome Casino, from Lola’s Underground Casino in the basement up to the top floor rooftop terrace, so check them all out!
– If you like your steaks, book a table at the Heliot Steak House: a West End legend.
– The Boozy Tea Room is pretty cool as well.
– The Penny Bar on the first floor is a great place to watch the Superbowl if you happen to be there at the same time.
European Roulette
You’ll find lots of European Roulette tables here and plenty of video roulette games scattered about- there’s even a video roulette section around the back of the main gaming floor area.
In total, there are more than 45 casino tables with Roulette, Blackjack, Three Card Poker, Dice, Pai Gow, Baccarat, Casino War covered, plus lots of video games: roulette, slots and video poker.
And if you are a smoker, head upstairs to the 2 tier smoking terrace- you can play up here too, or just grab a drink from the bar. The whole place is just great for wandering around and exploring. Just don’t lose your mates!
Table Limits at the Hippodrome
Straight up £1 – £300 (Min/Max)
Even chance bets: £10 – £5000
Dozen/column: £10 – £2500
Dragon Bet: £1 – £10
The Hippodromes run a special bet called a Dragon Bet on Dragon Roulette. You can win up to 300x your stake.
How to Play the Dragon Bet
– Pass your chips to the Croupier
– Say ‘Dragon Roulette bet’ And the ‘number’ you want to bet on
– If your number wins with a dragon next to it you win
Silver Dragon + Number: 100:1 payoff
Gold Dragon + Number: 300:1 payoff.
Hippodrome Casino – Pros and Cons
- Right in the middle of London’s West End- Fantastic for a Night Out.
- Multiple zones spread out over many levels. An interesting place to explore!
- The food and drinks offering is first class. Try the Steak House.
- Great Atmosphere- we love Lola’s Bar in the basement.
- Can get busy at peak times over the weekend due to its central location.
Video Roulette Games
The Hippodrome Casino has 97 Novomatic Roulette machines with two “Live Roulette Dealer” games and one “electronic wheel” Game.
Minimum bet: 20p, maximum bet £50 per chip.
They also have eight Franco Tombola roulette machines.
These novelty roulette games have a Bingo style tumbler- you spin your numbers.
Hippodrome FAQs
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Is the Hippodrome the Largest Casino in London?
No, that would be the Empire Casino. We prefer the Hippodrome though – there’s more atmosphere.
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Is there a dress code for the Hippodrome?
Not specifically, but you do see quite a few people dressed up for the night. You are best to dress “Smart Casual” and above.
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Is the Hippodrome Casino Members Only?
No. The Hippodrome Casino opens its doors to all over the age of 18. You may need to show ID to prove your age. They do run a loyalty program however.
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How many floors does the Hippodrome Casino Have?
Six. There’s the Grand Casino on the main floor, Lola’s Underground Casino one floor down and the Gods Casino up at the top of the building with views of the main auditorium. Plus a three-tier Rooftop Terrace where you can play, eat and drink.
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When is the Hippodrome open?
The Hippodrome Casino is open 24-hours a day (closed on Christmas Day).
Some areas vary, such as
Lola’s Casino – 12 noon to 4am (Mon-Sun).
The Gods Casino – 6pm to 2am.
Lower Gods Terrace – 6pm to 2am.
Upper Gods Terrace – 2pm to 6am.
Rooftop Terrace – 3pm to 2am (Mon-Thur) 12 noon to 5am (Fri-Sun). -
Why is this casino called the London Hippodrome?
A hippodrome is a Greek word (ἱππόδρομος). Hippodromes were ancient Greek stadia for horse racing and chariot racing. The word is derived from the Greek hippos (ἵππος; “horse”) and dromos (δρόμος; “course”). It’s where you come to lay your bets, in other words!
Features
Name
The Hippodrome London
Address
Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH London, United Kingdom
Phone
0207 769 8888
Nearest Tube
Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross
Parking
Discounted parking with Q-Park. The China Town car park is at 20 Newport Place WC2H 7PR.
Gaming
Four floors of gaming, : roulette, blackjack, baccarat & three-card poker, slots and the PokerStars™ Live lounge.
House Edge Single Zero
1.35% (Even Chances), 2.7% (Numbers).
House Edge Double Zero
2.63% (Even Chances), 5.26% (Numbers). 7.89% (First Five)
Cashing Out
Cash your Chips in at the cash desks on the Grand Casino floor or at The Gods casino.
Age Restrictions
18+
Opening times
The Hippodrome Casino is open 24-hours a day.
Closed on Christmas Day.
Lola’s Casino – 12 noon to 4am (Mon-Sun)
The Gods Casino – 6pm to 2am
Closed on Christmas Day.
Lola’s Casino – 12 noon to 4am (Mon-Sun)
The Gods Casino – 6pm to 2am
Dress Code
Smart Casual, jeans allowed
Refurb and launch
2012
Hippodrome Casino Map
Reviews
The Hippodrome scores highly on customer reviews.
- “Cafes, several restaurants, multiple bars and latrines, gaming machines galore with many types of gambling tables, roulette games, pokers etc… has a stage too, an ambience”.
- “Great venue at the heart of Leicester Square. Always has great atmosphere whether you are in Lola’s underground casino or on the top floor in the poker lounge.”
- “Very good casino, lots of games going on. Minimum bet roulette tables of £5 and £10. Unable to order drinks at the main bar, you have to be at a table and order from a waitress. You can order at the penny bar upstairs, gets fairly crowded”
