Tis the season to be jolly... except if you were working at 3 British casinos, all of whom have closed their doors for the last time this month.

First to go was Stanley Mint Casino Portsmouth, followed by 50 in London & then Ladbroke Paddington, again in London.

50 was due to the fact that LCI Harrahs leased the gaming room within the 50 St James Club... and the owners wanted more cash than the tables were making.
Ladbroke Paddington was simply due to a lack of punters... thank you City bankers!
Finally Stanley Mint (owned by Genting) is the first of the latest round of closures, as Genting streamline their UK operations. It is planned to close old & small clubs and concentrate on London, high profit & the modern Circus clubs within the estate. The overall objective is believed to be a reduction in numbers from 46 down to 38 by the end of 2010... so watch this space!

Gala... the UK's third largest operator is also slashing staff with 3 or 4 casino closures also planned in 2010.

Times are hard here in England.