"John Aspinall was one of the true figures of swinging sixties London. A nightclub proprieter, he won a court case that allowed him to open the first licensed casino in the United Kingdom. With a passion for animals, he also housed a menagerie at his wildlife sanctuary in Howletts, Kent. Along with his wife, the two defined a decade that made London world famous for its culture and hip vibe."
"Aspinall was born in Delhi, the son of a British army surgeon. He had always enjoyed gambling, even failing to get his degree from Oxford as he went to Ascot racecourse on the day of graduation. Naturally, he took up a job as a bookmaker. At the time, this was the only form of gambling allowed in the United Kingdom. However, he would often return to London and host private card games and gambling for the wealthy elite."
"However, without Aspinall, it is unlikely these would even exist. This was due to what is known as Aspinall's law. At the time, gambling houses were illegal and defined as a place where gambling had occurred three times or more. Thus, Aspinall would move locations. When he was caught foul of the law, he won the subsequent court case, and the result would heavily influence the Betting and Gaming Act of 1960."
John Aspinall opened the first licensed casino in the United Kingdom after winning a pivotal court case that influenced the Betting and Gaming Act of 1960. He hosted private games for the wealthy elite while bookmakers were the only legal gambling outlets. Aspinall frequently moved locations to avoid laws that defined gambling houses by repeated occurrences. He combined a nightclub and casino career with a passion for animals, creating a menagerie at Howletts wildlife sanctuary in Kent. His activities helped define the cultural and fashionable character of 1960s London. Modern UK gambling now includes online platforms and diverse payment methods, including PayPal.
Read at London On The Inside
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