Nestled in the refined enclave of Mayfair at 27-28 Curzon Street, Aspinalls Casino stands as a monument to British exclusivity, where the world’s richest players have long converged to indulge in high-stakes gaming wrapped in an aura of understated opulence. Founded in 1992 by the enigmatic John Aspinall—a zoo keeper, gambler, and socialite with a flair for the dramatic—this private members’ club emerged from the ashes of the White Elephant Club, transforming a storied dining haunt into a discreet haven for the elite. With its brass elephant statue still guarding the entrance, Aspinalls carries a legacy of eccentricity and prestige, offering an intimate escape where fortunes shift hands beneath the gaze of aristocratic decor and the whispers of a bygone era.
For the wealthiest, Aspinalls Casino is more than a gaming venue—it’s a curated experience, a secret society where entry is a privilege earned through wealth, connections, or both. Its private salons, adorned with brocade walls and carved fireplaces, cater to a clientele of tycoons, aristocrats, and global high-rollers who demand privacy alongside their play. Known for its small but potent gaming floor—16 tables in total, seven in exclusive rooms—it’s a place where the stakes can climb into the millions, and the service is as polished as the clientele’s cufflinks. From its roots in Aspinall’s rebellious gambling ventures of the 1960s to its current incarnation under Wynn Resorts (acquired in early 2025 from Crown Resorts), Aspinalls remains a symbol of European elegance, where the richest don’t just gamble—they reign.
A Heritage Forged in Risk and Refinement
Aspinalls Casino owes its soul to John Aspinall, a man whose life was as colorful as the club he birthed. Before its 1992 opening on Curzon Street, Aspinall had already made waves in London’s gambling scene, hosting illicit Chemin de Fer games in the 1950s and founding the Clermont Club in 1962—a Mayfair hotspot that drew dukes and earls with its promise of high-stakes camaraderie. After selling the Clermont in 1972 to fund his wild animal parks, he returned to the casino world in the late 1970s and 1980s with ventures in Knightsbridge and beyond, each a stepping stone to Aspinalls. The Curzon Street location, once the White Elephant Club—a 1960s dining spot for Hollywood stars and socialites—became his final masterpiece, a nod to his love of animals (evidenced by the elephant at the door) and his knack for turning wealth into spectacle.
This heritage isn’t just backdrop—it’s the club’s heartbeat. When Aspinalls opened, it inherited the White Elephant’s air of exclusivity but traded martinis for chips, drawing a crowd that ranged from Middle Eastern oil barons to British lords. Its intimate scale—far smaller than the sprawling resorts of Vegas or Macau—became its strength, fostering a sense of belonging among its members. “Aspinalls isn’t about the size of the room; it’s about the size of the stakes,” a former croupier once noted, capturing its essence. The club’s evolution under Crown Resorts (2011-2025) and now Wynn Resorts has kept its core intact: a place where the richest play not just to win, but to be part of a legacy that’s as much about social clout as it is about cash.
Inside Aspinalls Casino: Exclusive Features
Aspinalls Casino’s VIP experience is defined by its private spaces and meticulous attention to detail, tailored to the whims of its elite members. Here’s a table highlighting standout offerings unique to the club:
| Feature | Description | Unique Aspect | VIP Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Jade Salon | Private room with modernist decor | Jade-green walls, contemporary art | Elegant seclusion for high stakes |
| The Terrace | Heated outdoor gaming area | Overlooks Mayfair’s skyline | Alfresco play with champagne |
| Personal Butler Service | Dedicated staff for each member | Handles dining, travel, and more | Seamless luxury coordination |
| The Main Gaming Floor | Opulent room with brocade walls | Carved fireplace centerpiece | Social yet exclusive gaming |
| The Elephant Room | Secret salon with animal-themed art | Nod to Aspinall’s zoo legacy | Ultra-private mega-stake games |
These features paint a picture of Aspinalls as a sanctuary of sophistication. The Jade Salon, with its sleek lines and modernist flair, offers a stark contrast to the club’s traditional roots, appealing to newer high-rollers who crave a contemporary edge. The Terrace, meanwhile, is a rare gem—an outdoor gaming space where players can puff cigars under heaters, the London night sky framing their bets. It’s a setup that blends indoor luxury with an open-air thrill, a nod to the club’s ability to surprise even the most jaded tycoon.
The staff are the unsung heroes of this experience. Butlers don’t just serve—they anticipate, arranging everything from a last-minute tailor to a helicopter pickup without breaking a sweat. Dealers, many with years of Mayfair polish, bring a gravitas to each game, their precision matched by a knack for reading the room—knowing when to banter and when to fade into the background. For the richest, this isn’t just a casino—it’s a stage where their wealth is met with a service that feels like an extension of their own power, a quiet affirmation of their place at the top.
A Night at Aspinalls Casino
Envision a high-roller’s evening at Aspinalls: it begins with a chauffeured Bentley pulling up to Curzon Street, where the brass elephant greets them at the red door—a subtle wink to the club’s past. Inside, they’re ushered past the reception’s plush velvet to the Main Gaming Floor, where a $50,000 minimum buy-in awaits at the baccarat table. The room hums with quiet intensity—brocade walls absorbing the murmurs of a Russian oil magnate and a British peer, their chips stacking higher as the night deepens. A butler delivers a tray of caviar and a 1961 Château Latour, poured with a flourish between hands.
As the clock nears 1 AM, a winning streak might lure them to The Elephant Room, a hidden salon where animal prints line the walls and the stakes jump to $1 million per hand. Here, a trio of peers—perhaps an Asian tech mogul and a Saudi prince—join for a tense round of blackjack, the air thick with cigar smoke and the weight of their wagers. Win or lose, the night ends on The Terrace, a glass of single malt in hand, the Mayfair skyline glittering below as they toast to the thrill. It’s a night where the richest don’t just play—they live a legacy, each bet a thread in Aspinalls’ storied tapestry.
Why Aspinalls Endures as an Elite Haven
Aspinalls Casino’s staying power among the world’s richest rests on a trifecta of intimacy, heritage, and adaptability. Here’s what keeps it magnetic:
- Clubhouse Intimacy: Its small size—16 tables, a fraction of larger casinos—creates a rare, personal vibe.
- Aspinall’s Legacy: John Aspinall’s wild charisma and animal passion infuse the club with a unique identity.
- Flexible Stakes: Limits bend to match the boldest bets, from $100,000 to multimillion-dollar pots.
This isn’t gambling for the masses—it’s a private ritual. The richest come to feel part of something exclusive, a circle where their wealth buys not just a seat but a story. “Aspinalls is where you go to be someone,” a member once remarked, nailing its appeal. Losses are a footnote; the experience is the prize, a chance to sit where history was made.
The club’s evolution proves its resilience. From Aspinall’s hands to Crown Resorts’ global polish (2011-2025) and now Wynn Resorts’ ambitions, it’s kept pace with modern high-rollers—offering crypto betting or private jet links to Wynn’s upcoming UAE resort—without losing its soul. The brass elephant, the carved fireplaces, the quiet nod to the White Elephant days—it’s a bridge between past and present, a place where the elite find comfort in continuity.
Beyond gaming, it’s a lifestyle hub. A high-roller might pair their night with a private dinner of Wagyu beef, curated by chef Nicola Ducceschi, or a bespoke shopping trip arranged by the butler. It’s this holistic indulgence—gaming, dining, and seamless service—that locks in their loyalty, making Aspinalls not just a casino, but a Mayfair institution where wealth finds its fullest expression.