The Venue and Where It Sits
If you are new to casinos in Edinburgh, Genting Casino York Place is about as central as it gets. You will find it at 5B York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EB, in the New Town district. The area stays lively and walkable late into the night, so you are not heading out to an empty business park.
Edinburgh Waverley station is roughly a five-minute walk away. The York Place tram stop is about 200 metres from the front door, which makes turning up without a car very straightforward. Right behind the building there is a Megabus coach station, handy if you are arriving from another UK city and do not want to swap onto local trains.
One practical detail worth having in mind: doors open at 2pm every day, but live table games only start from 6pm. If you come earlier in the afternoon you can use the bar and the electronic machines, however the live roulette and blackjack tables will be closed until the evening. Last orders at the bar are taken at 3am, while the gaming floor keeps going until 5am. So if you like a drink while you play rather than just before heading home, it is worth timing your night a little.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 5B York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EB |
| Phone | +44 (0)131 624 2121 |
| Opening Hours | 2pm - 5am daily |
| Live Gaming From | 6pm daily |
| Bar Last Orders | 3am |
| Dress Code | Smart casual |
| Operator | Genting Casinos UK Limited |
| Regulator | UK Gambling Commission |
The entrance sits directly on York Place, close to the junction with Dublin Street. There is just the one public entrance, no side door and no separate VIP access tucked away round a corner. If you have any accessibility needs, the Genting Casinos accessibility portal has venue-specific details about York Place, including how the layout works and what is in place for step-free access.
What Games Are Actually on the Floor
York Place is not a huge resort-style property. The gaming area is relatively compact, which suits plenty of people who simply want a central city casino rather than a full-blown entertainment complex. The building has an 18th-century feel to it too, so it does not give off the same vibe as a modern shopping centre with machines lined up along a corridor.
In terms of tables, you can expect roulette, blackjack, three-card poker and baccarat. On top of that there are electronic roulette terminals and other electronic gaming machines. Some third-party listings talk about poker, but the official page for the venue does not show a detailed poker schedule. If you are specifically chasing live poker cash games or tournaments, it is better to call ahead on +44 (0)131 624 2121 rather than guessing.
You can broadly expect to see:
- Roulette - both live tables and electronic versions
- Blackjack
- Three-card poker
- Baccarat
- Electronic gaming machines and slots
The exact mix can move around from session to session. If you have a particular game format or stake level in mind, that quick phone call before you travel is time well spent.
Planning Your First Visit
Stepping into a UK casino for the first time is usually straightforward, but there are a few rules that surprise people. Because of UK Gambling Commission regulations, age checks are taken seriously. You must be at least 18 to enter the gaming floor, and staff will ask for proof if there is any doubt. Bring a passport or driving licence with you. A bank card or photo on your phone does not tick the box.
The expected dress standard is smart casual. They do enforce this more firmly on the gaming floor, so thinking about what you wear is not overkill. You do not need a suit, but turning up in a football top and worn-out trainers can mean you are refused entry.
A small tip that helps in any casino, including this one: decide on a spend limit before you walk in and separate that cash or budget from the rest of your money. When it sits in a different pocket or you move it to a separate part of your wallet, it becomes easier to stick to what you planned, rather than drifting past your own line later in the evening.
For a first visit, it usually helps to think in this rough order
- Aim to arrive after 6pm if you want live table games rather than just electronic play.
- Pack valid photo ID - a passport or driving licence works.
- Dress to a smart casual level, nothing ultra-formal but not beachwear either.
- Sort your transport in advance. Central Edinburgh street parking is paid, short-stay and limited.
- Head for the York Place entrance near the junction with Dublin Street.
- At the door or reception, you might be asked to register - UK casinos often take brief details when you visit for the first time.
- Before you sit down at a live table, exchange your cash for chips at the cashier. Everything runs in GBP.
- Use the bar when it suits you. It is open from 2pm and stops serving at 3am, so it comfortably overlaps with main gaming hours.



