If you‘re heading out for a night of casino gambling in the UK, don‘t expect the free-flowing cocktail service you‘d get in the casinos of Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Unlike gaming destinations across the pond, British casinos typically do not comp alcoholic drinks to players.
You can enjoy the games without going thirsty, but beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails won‘t be on the house. Read on for more details on the deal with drinks in UK casinos. I‘ll also share tips on maximizing freebies in American gaming meccas for comparison.
The short answer
Do UK casinos provide free alcoholic drinks? Generally, no. You may get free soft drinks, coffee, tea or water in some casinos, but alcohol is a personal expense. Las Vegas it is not!
Caution: Don‘t let booze derail your gambling strategy
Before diving into the nitty gritty of drink policies, let‘s pause for a little real talk. Gambling under the influence doesn‘t exactly yield smart decisions.
According to Harvard Medical School [1], alcohol impairs regions of the brain responsible for judgment, reasoning, and impulse control. This leads to reduced inhibition and a weakened ability to evaluate risks accurately.
What does this mean for casino gamblers? Boozing can lead to:
- Overestimating your chances of winning
- Underestimating potential losses
- Losing track of how much money you‘re spending
- Forfeiting control of your gambling budget and strategy
Yes, free drinks provide short-term fun. But in excess, they can quickly torpedo a responsible gambling plan.
As your friend who wants you to win more and regret less, I‘d advise staying sharp and hydrated as you play. Limit alcohol and focus on making level-headed wagers.
Okay, lecture over! Now let‘s get into the details on scoring freebies responsibly…
Why UK casinos don‘t comps alcohol
Gambling regulators in the UK tend to take a more cautious stance on casino drinking than their American counterparts. Concerns over problem gambling and alcohol abuse contribute to stricter booze policies.
Free alcoholic drinks are seen as an incentive that could encourage reckless gambling and excessive loss chasing. So UK casinos aren‘t inclined to offer alcohol as a general comp.
The UK Gambling Commission‘s license conditions and codes of practice [2] state:
"Licensees must not encourage a person to consume alcohol while gambling, or allow them to gamble while appearing intoxicated."
Offering free liquor to all players would likely violate this guidance.
Of course, bringing your own beer or cocktails into a UK gaming venue is also prohibited. Outside drinks are strictly forbidden.
Non-alcoholic drinks may be complimentary
While free pints and wine are off the menu, some UK casinos may provide free soft drinks, coffee, tea, juice, or water. This is at the venue‘s discretion rather than a universal rule.
If you want to imbibe adult beverages, you‘ll need to purchase them on site just like any other pub or club. Prices are comparable to the going rates at drinking establishments near the casino.
A 2020 survey of British gamblers [3] found that:
- 72% purchased alcohol while visiting their last casino.
- The average player spent £28 on drinks during their casino session.
- 18% said free soft drinks would improve the casino experience.
So while alcohol costs extra, taking advantage of complimentary sodas or juice can enhance your gaming experience without breaking the bank.
Las Vegas: The undisputed free drink capital
From rumors of oxygen pumped into casinos to keep you alert to slot attendants offering free sticks of gum, Nevada casinos have a reputation for enabling marathon gambling sessions. Flowing alcoholic drinks are a key part of this cocktail of stimulation.
Nearly every Las Vegas casino provides complimentary beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails to players as long as you‘re actively gambling. It‘s one of the best perks of Vegas gaming!
However, obtaining unlimited free drinks in Sin City has become tougher over the years. Here are some useful tips:
Tip your server – $1-5 per drink is customary depending on size and alcohol content. Over tipping won‘t get you drunk faster. Just be reasonable.
Pace yourself – Most casinos limit players to 1-2 free drinks per order. Don‘t pound them! Space it out and sip.
Play higher stakes – High rollers willing to risk bigger money tend to get better drink service and higher limits.
Avoid video poker bars – Many have systems tracking play and limiting free drinks for low bettors.
Watch the clock – In Vegas, cocktail service winds down after 1-3am as bars close. Last call varies by casino.
If you‘re heading to Vegas, be sure to research drink policies at your casino. For example, The Cosmopolitan only comps drinks Thursday-Sunday. And The Venetian cut their drink service hours.
East Coast casinos: Atlantic City & Connecticut
What about casino freebies on the other side of the US? Getting sloshed on the house is easier on the East Coast than across the pond.
Atlantic City
Like Las Vegas, Atlantic City casinos cater to drink-seeking gamblers. According to industry experts [4], alcohol sales account for 5-10% of total revenues at AC casinos.
All Atlantic City gaming venues offer complimentary beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits to customers actively playing slots or table games. Even a few bucks in a low-limit penny slot will summon a cocktail waitress.
There are no complex systems limiting drinks per hour or requiring high average bets. If you‘re gambling, you can drink free in AC.
Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun
These two mammoth tribal casinos in Connecticut also provide free alcoholic drinks using the Atlantic City model. Sit down at any game and start playing – cocktails will start flowing.
A key difference is that last call in Connecticut is 1-2am due to state liquor laws. In AC, alcohol service runs until 4am. So Connecticut players get slightly fewer late night drinking hours.
Free drinks policy examples from major UK casinos
As explained above, most UK casinos do not offer general free alcoholic drinks. Here are some specific policies from major British gaming operators:
Grosvenor Casinos – Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase in gaming areas and bars. Complimentary soft drinks may be offered to players.
Genting Casinos – Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available for purchase on site. Complimentary refreshments may be offered at management discretion.
Aspers – Complimentary tea and coffee is offered. Alcoholic drinks are available at the casino bars for purchase.
Hippodrome Casino – Branded bottled water is provided free in the gaming areas. All other drinks are available for purchase.
The Ritz Club – A full menu of premium wine, champagne, cocktails and non-alcoholic options are available for purchase.
The non-alcoholic complimentary options tend to be basic – think tap water, soda fountain drinks, tea or drip coffee. If you want fresh juices, Red Bulls, bottled water or Starbucks, have your wallet handy.
Does prohibiting free drinks impact gambling behavior?
You might assume that limiting free alcohol would encourage more responsible gambling habits. But various studies have found interesting impacts:
A 2015 study [5] found that self-reported alcohol consumption was 13% higher in Las Vegas casinos compared to Canadian casinos where free drinks are less common. However, there was no increase in problem gambling.
A 2006 study [6] found that gamblers drank more but spent less time gambling when free drinks were limited to 5 per day versus unlimited service.
Multiple studies [7] observed that gamblers often continue play primarily to keep the free drinks coming rather than to win more money. This can increase losses.
The findings suggest that free drinks lead to longer gambling sessions but not necessarily more reckless betting. For casinos, limiting comp drinks can reduce revenues from lower alcohol sales and less overall play.
As your friend, I suggest sticking to your budget and avoiding "drink gambling" no matter the freebie policy!
Final thoughts on casino drinks
I hope this overview gave you a good sense of the casino drinking landscape. To recap the key points:
UK casinos generally don‘t comp alcohol but may offer free soft drinks or coffee.
American casinos, especially Las Vegas and Atlantic City, are much more liberal with drink comps for players.
Take advantage of freebies in moderation – excessive drinking impacts gambling judgment.
Consider drink policies when choosing where to gamble. Vegas and AC are better destinations for imbibing gamblers.
The next time you hit the tables or slots, check the alcohol policy in advance. And remember to drink and gamble responsibly no matter who‘s footing the bar bill.
Bottoms up, and good luck! This one‘s on me…
