If you enjoy the thrill of the casino or fancy taking a punt on the outcome of the footie, how do you know that you are gambling in a reputable place?
Whether you are Team United or Team City, there are many football betting options from Full Time result, to Correct Score, First Goal Scorer, Last Goal Scorer and Half Time Result.
You can even bet on e-sports football games or run your own Fantasy Football book.
Fortunately, things are much more civilised than they were around 100 years ago, with licensing and strict guidelines ensuring people can enjoy themselves safely.
However, it is still worth ensuring you do not accidentally finish up in a grey-market venue just because they seemed to have unbelievably good odds or were open outside the usual operating hours.
Staying on the right side of the law
Most of us are familiar with the hit TV series Peaky Blinders, in which young criminals ran the streets of Birmingham through robbery, racketeering, gambling control, and illegal bookmaking in the early 20th century.
Fans eagerly await the movie starring Cillian Murphy, which is being produced with a Netflix-sized budget and promises to be spectacular.
However, the characters in the series are based on a real gang, and they have fired up our imagination and interest in a culture that is, hopefully, far behind us.
Playing Peaky Blinders
These days, there are plenty of legitimate and legal alternatives to choose from.
The good news is that you can indulge in a bit of gambling Peaky Blinder style these days without the attendant risks.
Pragmatic Play has made a Peaky Blinders online slot which features characters and artwork from the TV show.
The main characters all feature in the game’s graphics, and the crime family feel as at home in this online game as they did on the streets of 1920s Birmingham.
Like the Selbys, the game has a high volatility rating, so if you get on a losing streak, it could take some time to shake it off.
However, the gameplay is exciting, and there is even a “By Order of the Peaky Blinders” feature.
Online options
You can play online anywhere in Manchester (and beyond) – casino.org/uk has the full lowdown on all the top sites.
They also have inside information on where you can get the best bonuses and which online casinos offer what payment partners, etc.
You can have all the thrill without the risks. Of course, if you fancy an alternative slot game or a different gambling option, they have top tips across the board.
They also have very strong recommendations about which sites to steer clear of and are not afraid to name and shame disreputable ones.
Manchester offers plenty to offer if you prefer to play casino games or place bets in land-based rather than virtual establishments.
There is a wide range of places to have a flutter, from luxurious pleasure palaces to down-to-earth betting shops and everything in between.
Napoleon’s Casino
If you are looking for some ritz and glamour, the Napoleon’s could be the place for you. Based in Portland Street.
It describes itself as the go-to destination for luxurious fine dining and traditional casino gaming.
The venue boasts some of the finest casino equipment in the world and offers a first-class selection of games.
Options include all the classic table games, state-of-the-art electronic gaming and traditional slot machines.
They big up their friendly dealers who make sure that entertainment is always on the cards here.
Games include American roulette, Mahjong, Punto banco and Blackjack, and they even have a heated outdoor gaming terrace.
Situated close to Manchester’s Chinatown district, it is ideally located in the heart of the city centre.
You can choose to go for the entire package and combine a luxury dining experience, shake things up with a cocktail or order party food and enjoy a nightcap in style with food served from 5 pm – 3 am every day.
Genting Casino
Genting is an ‘open-door’ casino, meaning you can just walk in and enjoy the experience.
They advise you to bring your ID, and you can decide whether you want to be a member when you arrive.
They have special offers and promotions for members, so it could be a good choice if you plan regular trips.
As well as a bar open until 4 am, they have karaoke nights and all the casino classics like Three Card Poker and Texas Hold ’em Poker tables.
They claim to host the biggest baccarat game in the North West.
The food menu here is less fine dining and more down to earth, with burgers, curries and stone-baked pizzas on offer.
There is also a sports lounge where punters get a Free entry ticket to their Sunday Score Predictor Challenge, which runs during the English Premier League and Scottish Professional Football League season.
Correct score predictions (full-time and half-time) win Free Play in the casino (varying amounts) and a main meal from the food menu.
‘High Street’ bookies
If you do not want any of the razzamatazz or social side of gambling, Manchester also has its fair share of traditional bookies.
While most of these are now parts of chains with global reach, there are still some which have a special place in Manchester’s history.
Betfred started with a single shop in Ordsall, Salford.
The man behind the empire was Fred Done and he used the money he had made from betting on England to win the 1966 World Cup to open his first shop.
Known initially as Done bookmakers, they became the UK’s largest independent retail bookmaker and first used the Betfred moniker in 2004.
The UK’s first betting shop millionaire, known only as Ken, scooped his winnings in Betfred’s Salford shop in November 2004.
If you fancy a smaller independent bookie, David Pluck describes themselves as the North West’s leading bookmaker and one of the UK’s largest independents.
Their business is on a very different scale – they have 36 shops, 11 of which are within ten miles of Manchester City Centre.
Almost everything
So, there you have it; with the exception of the penny arcades, Manchester offers just about every gambling and gaming option. You just need to decide your budget, choose your location and roll the dice.
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