8 Great Gifts for Gamblers This Christmas

Posted by Harry Kane on Friday, December 7, 2018

Christmas is fast approaching, and despite the looming spectre of Brexit British families are set to increase their festive spend this year.

In fact, households are expected to spend around £821.25 on food, drink and gifts in 2018, with this number increasing by 1.3% in relation to last year’s figures. This is also 54% more than the European average of £532, as Brits look to put their concerns on hold and enjoy a great Festive period.

This is all well and good, but what should you buy friends and loved ones who are fans of gambling? Consider these options:

1. Custom Playing Cards

Everyone has a deck of cards lying around, but customised decks are far more unusual. For a fan of poker or gambling, there’s nothing more impressive than a custom deck of cards, whether this includes personalised images, text or fun and quirky design.

There are a number of companies who specialise in the production of customised playing cards, although not all have been created equal in terms of the range of options available to customers.

So compare the market to find the best service provider, and make sure that the recipients’ next poker night goes with a real swing!

2. A Real Slot Machine

Most slot titles are played online in the digital age, with this type of game now accounting for nearly two-thirds of the industry’s gross gaming yield (GGY).

However, offline slot machines are still incredibly popular among older gamblers or those with a sense of nostalgia, whilst it’s also possible to buy functioning machines online and from specialist vendors.

They’re not easy to find, of course, but despite this and the fact that they may cost considerable amounts of money, they can make an outstanding gift for any gambling enthusiast.

3. A Game Timer

When you’re gambling online, it can be exceptionally difficult to manage your time and keep track of your bankroll. This can make for a toxic combination and one that compromises your capital and ability to win over time.

A game timer helps to negate this challenge, however, as you can set this to track your gambling sessions and cap your activity. This also means that you can put a limit on your spending, helping you to get the most of your bankroll regardless of the games that you choose to play.

For an additional element of fun, why not seek out a themed timer that reflects your favourite pastime? This may cost a little more, but it’s a great gift for anyone with a passion for casino gameplay!

4. Casinopoly

We’ve all played Monopoly, which is a staple favourite of British families during the festive period.

Gambling fans may prefer playing Casinopoly, however, which is essentially an add-on to the iconic original that allows you to engage in various casino games in-between passing go and buying properties.

There’s a huge diversity of casino games included here, from roulette and blackjack to craps and baccarat. This makes it a gift with universal appeal, particularly among casual gamblers in the UK.

5. A Trip to a Casino

We’ve already touched on the prevalence of online gambling in the modern age, and this has created an entire generation of enthusiasts who have never set foot in a bricks-and-mortar casino.

With this in mind, booking a trip to a real-life casino may be the ideal gift for anyone with a passion for gambling, whether you send them to a local establishment or schedule an excursion to the bright lights of Vegas.

The destination that you select will depend largely on your budget, but there are plenty of options available to suit every possible scenario. If Vegas is beyond your means, however, consider booking a trip to one of London’s premium casinos in the West End, as part of a bumper weekend of adventure, fine dining and excitement.

6. Anything with the Number ‘Seven’ on It

If you’re a gambler yourself, you’ve probably heard of the term “lucky number seven”, and this phrase has its origins in a number of diverse cultures.

The number seven represents perfections and completeness in the Bible, for example, while it also sounds like the word for life essence in Chinese culture. According to the latter, the number seven is lucky for both wealth and relationships, and this is something that has become synonymous with gambling throughout the ages.

With this in mind, you can’t go wrong with gifts that have been inspired by the lucky number seven. This also allows you to get creative and personalise relatively standard items like cups and T-shirts, while you can even customise poker chips by emblazoning 777 on each of them.

7. A Selection of Hit Casino Movies

There’s a strong relationship between gambling and the silver screen, and it should come as no surprise that this pastime should have inspired some hit movies through the years.

You can celebrate this by selecting a few classics and giving these to your loved ones, as there are plenty of titles still available in DVD and Blu-ray format.

Our particular favourites include the classic hit Casablanca and the original version of The Gambler starring James Caan, while Paul Newman’s The Hustler also offers outstanding value.

More contemporary hits include Rounders starting Ed Norton, with this film offering a fascinating and accurate insight into the thrilling world of professional poker.

8. A Collection of Gambling Literature

On a similar note, why not wow your loved one with a collection of the best gambling literature, from iconic works of fiction to fact-based books and strategy guides.

You’ll certainly be spoiled for choice when browsing the market, with hit titles like Dice Angel and Gambling 102: The Best Strategies for All Casino Games offering relevant examples.

The former is a fictional tale that provides an incredibly authentic portrayal of life on the Vegas strip, while it also interweaves humour and sadness like few gambling novels. It also avoids over-romanticising gambling and locations like Las Vegas, which has been considered as the spiritual home of the pastime for generations.

The latter book was written by Michael Shackleford and offers a detailed breakdown of the very best strategies for all casino games, with its comprehensive but easy-to-understand nature makes it a must for all aspiring gamblers.

Shackleford is a man you can trust too, with this talented American mathematician also a renowned professor of casino games!