Soho was a lively corner of London, the heart of the city’s nightlife, especially in the mid-20th century. Over time, the area quickly became home to stylish casinos and private clubs where the rich and famous came to play.
Following the Betting and Gaming Act of 1960, which legalised certain forms of gambling, Soho’s clubs and casinos attracted a mix of celebrities, aristocrats, and socialites. This era, often referred to as Soho’s “Golden Age,” was marked by high-stakes games and exclusive venues.
Today, while most of those original venues have faded or evolved into upscale lounges, the appeal of private gambling with no restriction still lives on through online platforms. With UK-licensed casinos facing tighter controls, many modern players now seek out casinos not on gamstop. These casinos offer players fewer restrictions and more flexible gameplay options. You don’t need to be a celebrity gambler to enjoy these perks.
1. Albert Dimes
Albert Dimes was one of the first big names in Soho. In the 1940s and 50s, he ran several betting shops and private clubs where people came to place secret bets and play high-stakes games. He wasn’t a celebrity, but he knew how to pull the right strings. Before legal casinos took over, places like Dimes were the main spots for serious gambling.
2. John Aspinall
John Aspinall opened the famous Clermont Club in Mayfair in 1962. Although it wasn’t in Soho, the club attracted many of the same rich and famous faces who later filled Soho’s nightlife. Aspinall was known for hosting exclusive games with very high stakes. Apart from owning a casino, he was also a wildlife lover who used his gambling profits to fund private zoos.
The Clermont Club was a playground for lords, dukes, and politicians. Regulars included Lord Lucan, James Goldsmith, and even members of the royal family. The club had strict entry rules and only accepted members from the upper class. Players often spent thousands of pounds in a single night.
Aspinall made most of his money by charging a small fee on each bet, a method that made him millions without gambling himself. He later used his earnings to create wildlife parks in Kent, including Howletts and Port Lympne, where he kept tigers, gorillas, and other rare animals.
3. Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon, one of Britain’s most famous painters, was a regular in Soho during the 1950s and 60s. He spent many nights at the Colony Room Club on Dean Street. Bacon loved to play roulette.
He also often gambled at casinos like Curzon House Club and Aspinall’s, sometimes winning big. According to friends, he lived fast and considered gambling part of his creative process. His affinity for risk went beyond gambling, as can be seen in his artwork and lifestyle; chaotic, emotional, and bold.
4. Lucian Freud
Lucian Freud, another major British artist, often followed Bacon into Soho’s gambling rooms. He was known for his detailed portraits and also had a wild streak. He loved horse racing and would always bet huge amounts of money, sometimes more than he could afford. At one point, he owed over £500,000 in gambling debts, which was a huge sum even for someone of his fame.
Freud was banned from many bookmakers because he could not pay his debts on time. He once had to give a painting to settle a large unpaid gambling bill. Some galleries were reluctant to work with him because of his unstable finances. He bet mostly on horses and rarely missed the Cheltenham Festival or Royal Ascot.
Despite his money issues, he still continued to gamble. He saw it as part of his lifestyle, and while his gambling sometimes delayed his work, he didn’t seem to care.
5. Reggie Kray
Reggie Kray, one of the infamous Kray twins, made gambling his business. In 1960, the twins bought Esmeralda’s Barn, a nightclub in Knightsbridge that also ran private gambling. While it wasn’t located in Soho, it helped them build influence over London’s club scene, including many Soho spots.
Esmeralda’s Barn allowed the twins to mix with politicians, celebrities, and high-rolling gamblers. They used the club to strengthen their public image. Reggie loved to host stars like Judy Garland and boxer Sonny Liston. He modelled himself after old Hollywood gangsters, wearing sharp suits and giving interviews to the press.
6. Victor Lownes
Victor Lownes was an American who worked with Playboy. He brought Hollywood glamour to London’s gambling scene. In 1966, he opened the Playboy Club at 45 Park Lane, where guests could enjoy casino games alongside live music and champagne. Though the club was in Mayfair, it attracted many of the same celebrities seen in Soho.
The club, which was known for its “Bunny Girls,” American-style cocktails, and members-only atmosphere, quickly became the most profitable casino in Britain, earning over USD10 million (GBP7.5 million) a year by the early 1970s. Some of the guests who attended the club included The Beatles, Michael Caine, George Best, and Sean Connery. An Instagram post from May 2025 features a photograph of Sharon Tate (American actress and model) and Barbara Bouchet (German-Italian dancer, actress and model) at the Playboy Club in London in 1966. This image shows Lownes’ close ties with Hollywood celebrities and how he was able to bring American-style glamour to London’s nightlife. Lownes also hosted grand parties that made headlines.
