Top 5 Casinos in Cardiff
Cardiff is a city of inestimable charm. It’s no wonder, then, that the capital of Wales welcomes around one million tourists each year, with its castle being one of the most visited attractions. Yet, there is not just culture: Cardiff can be fun, too. Several green parks where you can play sports or have a picnic, a great music scene, and a good nightlife, especially on St. Mary Street and Mill Lane. Last but not least, Cardiff has something for gambling fans, too!
In this guide, we will cover the most important and most loved casinos of this multicultural city. From renowned chains to bingo halls, from rooms dedicated to slots to old-styled traditional casinos, there is something for everyone. In the first part of the article, we will enlist what are the best Cardiff casinos according to us. In the second, we will explain what our criteria are, what are the main rules of offline casinos, and what games can be played.
Best Casinos and Bingo Halls in Cardiff
If you visit Cardiff, you will soon learn that its gambling scene is extremely diversified. It ranges from casinos that are part of renowned chains like the Grosvenor to more traditional, old-school casinos like Les Croupiers, located right next to Cardiff City Stadium. But there are also more specific options for fans who have a certain type of taste: we will therefore also talk about bingo halls such as Club 3000 and Castle Bingo, and even Merkur Slots, a real neighbourhood slot hall. The choice is wide, and we aim to give you as much information as possible so that you can make the right decision on where to go.
№1 Grosvenor Casino Cardiff
Grosvenor Casino is one of the leading casino chains in the UK, and it is easy to see why. A strong focus on elegance and the quality of the games on offer make it a top choice for gamblers. In Cardiff, the casino is located in the port area and offers numerous tables for playing Roulette, Blackjack, and Poker, as well as many slot machines. Facilities also include a restaurant, a bar, and a smoking area.
| Address | Red Dragon Centre, Atlantic Wharf, Hemingway Rd, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF10 4JY |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | 12 PM – 6 AM |
| Phone Number | +442920468350 |
| Email Address | [email protected] |
| Social Media | Facebook, Twitter |
| Dress Code | Smart Casual |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Parking Availability | Yes |
| Restaurant/Bar | Yes |
| Google Rating | 4.0 |
| TripAdvisor Rating | 4.5 |
For those who prefer playing from the comfort of their home, Grosvenor also offers an online version of their casino Cardiff Bay. It includes several exclusive games of roulette and blackjack but also great classics like Crazy Time, many of the most popular slot machines, sports bets, and much more.
All in all, Grosvenor is an excellent choice, combining the elegance of a traditional Cardiff Bay casino with the comfort of a modern location. Worthy of praise is the excellent bar, which also makes it a fantastic option for those who simply want to spend a nice evening out. Also worth mentioning are the many benefits provided with membership.
- Pros
- Great rating on TripAdvisor (4.5)
- High-quality bar
- Good selection of slots and table games
- Tournaments available
- Possibility to watch live sports
- Cons
- Very crowded on weekends
- Poker tournaments are rare
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№2 Les Croupiers Casino
Les Croupiers is a historic casino Cardiff city centre. It used to be located in the central St. Mary Street, of which it was one of the main landmarks. Recently, the venue moved to the Capital Shopping Park, opposite the Cardiff City Stadium. This, in addition to providing great parking facilities, has also strengthened the link between this casino and sports. In addition to many table games and slots, Les Croupiers offers the viewing of many football matches.
| Address | Capital Retail Shopping Park, Leckwith Rd, Cardiff CF11 8EG |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | 2 PM – 5 AM |
| Phone Number | +442920382810 |
| Email Address | [email protected] |
| Social Media | |
| Dress Code | Smart Casual |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Parking Availability | Yes |
| Restaurant/Bar | Yes |
| Google Rating | 3.8 |
| TripAdvisor Rating | 3.5 |
- Pros
- Old fashioned style
- Friendly and helpful staff
- Wide selection of games
- Parking available
- Cons
- The old location was more unique
- Relatively low ratings on Google and TripAdvisor
Being such a traditional and old-fashioned casino, it makes sense that Les Croupiers does not have an online version to play from your home.
Overall, Les Croupiers can certainly attract very different customers. Certainly, sports and gambling fans will find it a fascinating option, even more so after watching a Cardiff City match at the stadium. Also to be commended is the presence of a Chinese restaurant inside and a well-stocked bar.
№3 Club 3000 Bingo Cardiff
Club 3000 is a bingo hall with a wide presence all over the United Kingdom. In Cardiff, it is situated in the north suburbs. It offers a free membership through which you can play several bingo games every day in a familiar environment with a bar.
| Address | Batchelor Road, Cardiff, CF14 3AX |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | 11 AM – 12 AM |
| Phone Number | +442920694321 |
| Email Address | [email protected] |
| Social Media | |
| Dress Code | Casual |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Parking Availability | Yes |
| Restaurant/Bar | Yes |
| Google Rating | 4.2 |
| TripAdvisor Rating | 3.0 |
Despite having a considerable presence all over Great Britain, Club 3000 Bingo also chose to be available online. On their website, you can play bingo and, most of all, several slot machines, including the most popular ones.
In our opinion, Club 3000 Bingo Cardiff represents a solid choice for all fans of bingo, but also for those who want to just have a fun evening with their friends. The staff is on-point, and the same can be said about the food and drink selection at the bar. On the other hand, the distance from the centre might deter many tourists, but locals are truly fond of this place.
- Pros
- Seven bingo sessions every day
- Free Membership
- Familiar environment
- Friendly staff
- Cons
- Far from the city centre
- Fans of slots and table games will not find anything for them here
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№4 Merkur Slots Cardiff Cowbridge Road
Merkur Slots is a casino dedicated exclusively to slot machines and with several locations throughout the UK, including one in the Riverside neighbourhood of Cardiff. Sadly, there are not many parking options available nearby. It’s important to mention that this is not a traditional casino but just a room with several slot machines available, mostly fruity old-school ones. More for locals than for tourists, then, but one thing is sure: you will find many interesting people inside!
| Address | 211 Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF5 1GX |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | 10 AM – 8 PM |
| Phone Number | +442920398307 |
| Email Address | [email protected] |
| Social Media | Twitter, Instagram |
| Dress Code | Casual |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Parking Availability | No |
| Restaurant/Bar | No |
| Google Rating | 3.7 |
| TripAdvisor Rating | N/A |
- Pros
- Relaxed environment with no dress code
- Several slots available
- Cons
- No parking facilities
- No restaurant or bar
Merkur Slots has a good online presence but does not allow you to try slots directly from home. After all, it is a fairly simple slot room with no great pretensions other than to entertain its customers and maybe let them win a nice jackpot.
All in all, it is a quiet and pleasant place for those who want to try their luck with slot machines without being in awe of more traditional casinos.
№5 Castle Bingo Cardiff Newport Road
Castle Bingo is a small chain of bingo halls with a strong presence in Wales. In Cardiff alone, there is more than one venue: we visited the one on Newport Road, which was built in 1994 but refurbished in 2019 to give it a modern and welcoming look. It is a rather typical bingo hall with several sessions every day, but its value is improved by a great bar and free parking facilities.
| Address | 368 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF23 9AE |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Phone Number | +442920454510 |
| Social Media | |
| Dress Code | Casual |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Parking Availability | Yes |
| Restaurant/Bar | Yes |
| Google Rating | 4.2 |
| TripAdvisor Rating | N/A |
- Pros
- Regular bingo promotions and prizes
- Good prices at the bar
- Free Parking
- Familiar environment
- Cons
- Strictly for bingo lovers
Castle does not offer any online option, as it identifies more as a community bingo venue with strong roots in the many cities and neighbourhoods where it is located.
Here, bingo fans will definitely feel at home. The staff is great, the food is high-quality and even quite cheap, and the game sessions are hosted by friendly, professional dealers. Of course, those who are not into bingo at all should go elsewhere since Castle does not even have a single slot machine.
How We Rate Cardiff Casinos
Now that we have seen which are the most interesting casinos, slots rooms, and bingo halls in Cardiff, let us also see what criteria guided us in our selection. Transparency is indeed a key element for us. Not least because our goal is for the reader to trust us. From game selection to opening times, here is everything that helped us decide which are the best places to play in Cardiff.
Quality of games
In our research, we tried to opt for casinos with the highest quality in terms of games. Modern slots and friendly, experienced dealers are what have always attracted us. Of course, the variety of games is also important. However, in the case of the casinos we have reviewed here, you will have noticed that some only deal in specific games. For example, Merkur Slots only has slots, but it still seems an interesting choice for those who live for reels, paylines and scatter symbols. Similarly, bingo fans will love the two bingo halls we have selected. In short, as far as Cardiff is concerned, we have prioritised quality over variety.
Opening hours
For us, a casino must be open for most of the day. This is why we appreciated Les Croupiers being open every day until 5 AM, while we criticised Merkur’s choice to close every day at 8 PM. However, it remains clear that a slot room is different from a land-based casino and therefore has different hours for many reasons.
Restaurants and bars
Spending a lot of time in a casino also means needing to refresh yourself from time to time. All too often, the quality of the bars in casinos is low, which is why we make a point of trying different items on the menu, both food and drinks, to see if they are worth it. Value for money is equally crucial.
Tournaments
We check for regular tournaments of games such as poker. We think that these tournaments bring a dose of adrenaline that is essential to experience in a gambling room.
Membership
We evaluate the potential of membership cards, which are often mandatory, to see if they are really worth it in terms of discounts and promotions.
User reviews
We try to ask many customers in person what they think of the casino, but it is often easier to consult online reviews. These allow us to understand a large number of opinions from players who regularly frequent the venue. It must be said, however, that negative reviews are often dictated by ignorance or misunderstanding. Fortunately, our expertise allows us to recognise the most sincere ones.
How To Choose The Best Casino Cardiff
Choosing the best casino in Cardiff is not that simple, but our selection will perhaps allow you to have a slightly clearer idea. Our goal was to select five establishments with many differences and unique characteristics. It is impossible not to notice the big difference between a classic casino Cardiff centre like Les Croupiers and a slot room like Merkur. However, it may be useful to give a few more tips on how to choose the ideal venue in which to spend some time and possibly win something.
Consider the location of the casino Some casinos are in central areas, while others are in more suburban areas or are close to important landmarks. For example, Les Croupiers is next to Cardiff City Stadium. It doesn’t matter if you are a tourist or a local, location has a big influence on your choice of casino. Choose the one closest to you or the one closest to where you want or need to go.
Choose based on your favourite games Location, however, is not enough. If you are a fan of bingo, you will not go to a slot room, and vice versa. So check what games are available in each Cardiff city casino (we will talk about this in the next section) and choose based on this as well.
Check the parking availability If you are driving, always check if there are parking spaces in the area, preferably free of charge. This is the case, for example, at Castle Bingo on Newport Road.
Choose a time to go If you want to spend the night in a casino, check that it is actually open at that time and that there are active tournaments. As a rule, land-based casinos are open until at least midnight; in Cardiff, they even go overboard, with various casinos open until 5 AM.
Check if there is a bar or restaurant Do you want to spend the evening with friends and maybe have something to eat and drink? Then check if there is a good bar or restaurant in the selected casino. Some even have ethnic food specialities, like at Les Croupiers, where we found a Chinese restaurant.
Rules In Offline Cardiff Casinos
Every casino has its own rules, and it is good to know them so as not to risk being thrown out. The first thing to remember is that many casinos have a dress code. This is especially typical of land-based casinos such as Grosvenor and Les Croupier. In both, the dress code is smart casual. That means that you have to find a compromise between smart and casual without going overboard in either sense. This does not apply, however, to slot rooms like Merkur or bingo halls, where one can dress casually. Even here, however, it is right to maintain restraint.
More generally, it is essential to behave properly both with the staff and with other players. But also with slot machines. Sometimes, casinos require the possession of a membership card. Usually, this is free and allows you to obtain various benefits. It is a way of building customer loyalty through special promotions. In any case, you always need to have a valid ID card and be at least 18 years old to enter.
Top Games To Play At Casinos in Cardiff
As mentioned, each casino in Cardiff Bay has a different offer when it comes to games. It is, therefore, worth looking more specifically at what games are on offer in Cardiff casinos.
Roulette
Roulette is perhaps the greatest casino classic. The suspense that the ball rolling from one number to the next provides is almost the stereotype of casinos in itself. Among the institutions we have mentioned, you can play roulette at the Grosvenor and Les Croupiers. In both places, there are numerous gaming tables to try your luck.
Poker
There are many versions of poker, from Texas Hold ‘Em to Three Card Poker. The only place with active Cardiff casino poker tournaments is Les Croupiers. In theory, the Grosvenor is also supposed to be equipped for poker, but tournaments are so rare that fans of the game rarely frequent this popular venue.
Blackjack
Blackjack, on the other hand, has remained at the Grosvenor and is also found at Les Croupiers. We are talking about another great casino classic, which has managed to win over many fans over the years thanks to its simple rules. The objective is simple: beat the dealer by getting as close to 21 as possible, but without going beyond it.
Slots
There are many types of slot machines, from the more classic fruity ones to those with a Roman, Greek, or Norse theme. The temple of slots in Cardiff is undoubtedly Merkur, where you can find games such as Fruitinator, Fishin’ Frenzy, and many others. At Grosvenor and Les Croupiers, the choice is also wide, and the latter even claims to offer the highest RTP in Wales, an astonishing 94%.
Bingo
Those who love bingo, rather than going to an actual casino, should head to the bingo halls we mentioned. Here one can enjoy this timeless, relaxing, yet addictive game with their friends and a knowledgeable and friendly staff.
Conclusion
In this article we have analysed the Cardiff gambling scene, focusing in particular on five casinos, slot rooms, or bingo halls that we think have either a great history or a great potential. Of course, they have their differences, and for this reason, we have tried to outline a step-by-step guide to picking the ideal casino according to one’s taste. Certainly, there is no shortage of choice: big poker tournaments, bingo sessions in cosy environments, rooms full of slot machines, and adrenaline-packed roulette tables are only some of the features we have talked about. The magnetism of gambling in Cardiff still exists, and now you know where to find it.
