By Sherman Fridman
Reception at Cromwell Mint Casino UK
GAMING IN GREAT BRITAIN
Unlike Las Vegas or Monte Carlo, when you mention London your thoughts do not automatically turn to gambling, or ?gaming? as it?s euphemistically called. But the Brits have a long ? and for the casinos, bookies and betting shops ? profitable association with wagering. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find a pub in England that did not have a slot machine or three (better known as a ?fruit machine?) along one or more of its walls.
The UK gaming industry is closely supervised by the Gaming Board of Great Britain, which enforces fair odds and properly supervised playing conditions on a country-wide basis. But a schism has been developing between online gambling and the old-fashioned brick-and-mortar kind which has liberalized gambling in general in the UK.
For example, London has long been a Mecca for casino gambling, attracting wealthy tourists and the repatriation of some petro-dollars from Middle Eastern princes. These casinos, some of which are quite lavish by any standard, were considered as ?private? clubs and there was a short waiting period of a day or two between putting in an application for membership and its virtually automatic approval. The wait was not a big burden, unless you were a tourist about to re-board the bus. However, this generally, posed no problem as the casinos eschewed day-trippers, and the waiting period could be circumvented by having a member sign you in as his or her guest.
Under a fairly recent change in UK gambling laws, the membership application requirement on casinos has been lifted and visitors are simply asked to register their name, date of birth and have a digital photo taken. But beware, if you win a ?large? sum of money you may be asked for identification before the cashier exchanges your chips for cash. It?s no coincidence that there is no official ID requirement to hand over one?s cash.
Another stop for someone wishing to observe the wagering culture of the UK is any main street betting shop. There are more than 9,000 betting shops scattered around the country where, in addition to the traditional wager on the horses or dogs, you can get odds for a variety of future events, even the outcome of the American presidential election.
The British gambling culture has been undergoing a sea-change recently with the proliferation of online gaming. Illegal for play in the U.S., Britain permits online, third-party licensed gaming, attracting major corporations such as Virgin and Sky. For example, establish an account with Virgin Games and customers can register, manage their account, play for bonuses, deposit and withdraw money on any Virgin Games website using any form of online connectivity.
SkyVegas gets your attention, and your money, by promising cash back even if you loose. And, if any further proof was needed as to the attractiveness of online gaming, Jackpotjoy claims to be the UK?s leading online instant win and bingo side with over four million players and a monthly pay-out of more than $300 million.
Now that the Olympic fever subsided, prices have come down to an earthly level and you have paid your respects to the Queen, fill some of your spare time remaining in the UK by visiting a casino and wagering a pound or two ? loosing pounds in the gym should be as easy.
The minimum age to gamble in the UK is 18, and casinos are generally open from 2 p.m. until 6 a.m., every day except Christmas.
However, before sitting down to play your game of choice, check out the rules with the casino staff as there are some minor differences between the American and British versions of the same game. But don?t worry, these changes are usually more favorable than Las Vegas rules.
CAESER?S PALACE
Fountains at Caesar?s Palace Las Vegas
No place pays homage to excess better than Las Vegas and Caesar?s Palace is out to prove it.
Before closing in 2000, the Bacchanal at Caesar?s Palace served as the hotel?s fine dining restaurant. Now, after 12 years and a $17 million renovation, the all-new Bacchanal Buffet will open early next month.
What?s the ?big deal? about another Las Vegas buffet? Everything!
The Bacchanal Buffet will serve an over-the-top edible orgy of more than 500 different items from classic favorites around the globe. The 25,000 square-foot, specially designed buffet venue will have seating for 600 diners who will choose from freshly prepared and made-to-order dishes from nine show kitchens: Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, American, Seafood, Pizza, Deli and, of course Dessert.
It comes as no surprise to say that the Bacchanal Buffet will raise the bar for buffets everywhere; after all, with the weight gained at the Bacchanal, who would be able to clear the table, much less the bar?
With about 30 days to go before the opening I?m beginning my diet now to make room for one more baked to order pistachio souffl?.
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