Betting in Glasgow

As the largest city in Scotland, Glasgow plays an important role in the U.K.’s economy, ranking third only to London and Edinburgh in GDP per capita. Its location on the River Clyde has long made it a hub for trade, and although its role as a manufacturing centre has diminished in recent years, the city still contributes mightily through shipbuilding, engineering, construction, brewing and distilling, printing and publishing, chemicals and textiles as well as newer growth sectors such as optoelectronics, software development and biotechnology.

Much of the ancient settlement dating back to Roman times has been destroyed, but there remains a hint of medieval grandeur in two main landmarks: the 15th century Provand’s Lordship and the 13th century St. Mungo’s Cathedral. An impressive heritage of Victorian architecture can also be seen, such as the Glasgow City Chambers and the main building of the University of Glasgow. There are over 1,800 listed buildings in the city of architectural and historical importance.

The city centre is bounded by the High Street to the east, the River Clyde to the south and the M8 motorway to the west and north. A grid system of streets takes up the north bank of the river, making George Square with its many public statues the heart of the city. To the south and west are the shopping precincts of Argyle Street, Sauchiehall Street and Buchanan Street, the latter featuring more upmarket retailers. Glasgow also has many live music venues, pubs and clubs, a variety of theatres and an active casino gambling scene.

Located right downtown on Ingram Street in a beautiful 5-storey Victorian building is the Corinthian Club. It specialises in providing a venue for meetings, weddings, banquets and other events, but its centrepiece is a two-level gaming space amid some of the finest “Grade A” listed Victorian interiors in the U.K.

The Corinthian Club casino is open from noon to 6am daily, offering slots and touch bet roulette. At 6pm, the table games area opens, with Blackjack, Roulette, 3-Card Poker, Punto Banco and Poker. Bets start from as little as 10p on the slot machines and 50p at the Roulette tables. A stylish bar and mezzanine balconies provide space to relax between sessions, too.

Gala Casinos also operate two fixed properties in the city centre. The Merchant City venue on Glassford Street is open daily 24 hours with a 30,400-square-foot gaming space featuring 50 gaming machines and 20 table games. Meanwhile, the Princes venue on Sauchiehall Street to the west has 20 gaming machines and four table games available daily from noon till 6am.

Also on Sauchiehall Street is the Genting Casino Glasgow. Open on Sunday through Tuesday from noon to 8am and Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 6am, its gaming space features 10 gaming machines and 17 table and poker games. Wagering action is available on Blackjack, Roulette, Punto Banco, 3-Card Poker and Stud Poker.

Down by the river on Broomielaw is the Gala Riverboat Casino, open daily from 3pm to 8am. Its gaming space offers 20 gaming machines and 14 table games, including American Roulette, Blackjack, Casino Stud Poker and Punto Banco. Cash poker games are also available nightly from 9pm with a £40 minimum buy-in and blinds of £1-£2.

Across the River Clyde on the south bank stands the Alea – Glasgow, featuring a 15,000-square-foot gaming space with 50 gaming machines and 33 tables for poker and casino games. The action here goes nonstop daily from noon till 8am. There are three bars and the Red Leaf Restaurant on the premises, too, located at Springfield Quay just off Paisley Road.

For Bingo enthusiasts, Mecca Bingo operates three separate clubs within the Glasgow city limits. The Glasgow Rutherglen property is on Main Street near the Glasgow Green Football Centre, the Glasgow Quay branch is by the Alea at Springfield Quay, and the Glasgow Forge venue is on Duke Street near the city centre. The latter features 81 gaming machines in addition to Bingo.

One other gambling venue popular with local Glasgow residents is the Shawfield Greyhound Stadium. This dog track features greyhound racing on Tuesdays as well as Thursday through Saturday evenings. It is located south of the river across from Richmond Park at the intersection of Shawfield Drive and Rutherglen Road.

Published on: 02/04/2013

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