The capital of Scotland might well be better known as the location for the Festival that takes place every year and welcomes people from the creative arts, but it’s also a decent spot to head to if you’re a fan of casinos and the games that you can play within their doors.
At the time of writing there are four on offer, which is about twenty shy of the number in England’s capital but still impressive enough. It means that there’s enough of a variation to ensure that most games are covered between them all.
The Casinos
Knowing how many casinos there are in Edinburgh is all well and good, but it’s hardly likely to make you want to jump on the train and head there. Here we’ll look at the different venues and see what they each have to offer.
Grosvenor Casino – Maybury
At first place you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Grosvenor Casino on Maybury Road was a library, given its dark brown carpeting and deep wood. The casino’s location close to Edinburgh airport means that it’s not as popular as some of the others in the city. It’s set over two floors, with the lower one housing all of the various gaming options.
Head onto that casino floor and you’ll be presented with a host of decent gaming options. Roulette and blackjack are probably the most popular, with the former also being available in electronic form. There are regular poker tournaments, whilst both kalooki and Mah Jong rooms are available for those that enjoy the games.
Head upstairs and there’s a restaurant that spans the entire outside of the building. That means that there’s loads of room for parties and other sorts of events, plus you can have a bit to eat whilst keeping an eye on the goings on on the casino floor. There’s also a bar that offers the sort of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages that you’d expect.
Genting Casino – Leith (Closed)
The other three casinos in Edinburgh are all under the Genting brand, so they each offer something a little different. The one in Leith is arguably the largest, with room enough for thirteen different tables that offer the likes of roulette, baccarat and three-card poker. You can also hire a poker table for private play and there are regular tournaments.
The latest slots are also present in the casino, as well as electronic versions of the table games, with electronic roulette being particularly popular. If you want something to eat during your time here then you can choose between the Graze and Play menu available at the bar or the feature restaurant that offers a good mix of Chinese and European dishes.
Genting Club – Fountainpark
The reason the Genting Casino in Leith is only ‘arguably’ the largest is that the one that opened in Fountainpark is the newest and has been designed to offer visitors as much choice as possible. It is thoroughly modern looking, whilst its location in the heart of the entertainment district means that it’s a popular one with locals and tourists alike.
The usual table games of roulette, blackjack and three-card poker are complimented by more unusual choices such as Mah Jong and baccarat, whilst poker enthusiasts will be pleased with the poker room that’s separate from the gaming floor. A decent bar and a pleasant restaurant set off this member of the Genting Casino chain perfectly.
Genting Casino – York Place
The final member of the Genting Casino chain in Edinburgh hasn’t always come under that brand name, having previously been known as Maxims Casino. Located not far from Edinburgh Waverley Train Station, it is an opulent building that will allow you to feel as though you’re gambling in the Raj era of India if your mind begins to drift.
With room for around nine tables, those responsible for the running of the Genting in York Place have opted to ensure that all of the hits are present and correct. Roulette, three-card poker and a host of slot machines are all on offer. The chain’s Fahrenheit Restaurant is present and correct here, as is their bar that offers both drinks and snack menus.