The Casino That Became a Cultural Phenomenon

When you think of casinos, your first thoughts probably turn to the great casinos of Monte Carlo, Macau, or Las Vegas. These brightly lit resorts represent the face of casino tourism and are destinations for travellers worldwide.

This more colourful image of casinos is often used in the media. In movies, casinos are often used to portray an image of wealth and excess. With tuxedo-clad men and glamourous women arriving in sports cars to play high-stakes games on the tables. But not all casinos fit this stereotypical image. And some are more famous for their non-casino activities. One such example is Wigan Casino, which opened its doors on 23rd September 1973.

The Changing Face of Casinos

If you want to play at a casino in Wigan today, the chances are you would go online. Online casinos are the most relevant form of gaming in the modern era, with a host of options that put traditional casinos in the shade. The major betting brands all have their own casino sites, and you can check here for the latest casino bonuses and offers and quickly open an account online. Many of them have additional offers, whether it’s a signup bonus, or additional spins depending on your deposit.

Nowhere else had the same mix of obscure rarities and soul classics.

But back in 1973, only one casino was being talked about in Wigan. And that was because of its musical connections to music rather than gaming. It’s fair to say, this was a casino with a difference.

The Soul of Wigan

Wigan Casino was formerly a ballroom known as The Empress. After hosting its first all-night soul club in 1973, it grew to earn legendary status in the global soul scene.

Patrons of other soul clubs, including Manchester’s Twisted Wheel, Blackpool’s Mecca, and Stoke’s Torch, all descended on Wigan. The reputation even spread across the Atlantic to the US, from where soul music was imported. Head DJ Russ Winstanley and colleagues, including Kev Roberts, had an enviable collection of rare American soul thanks to his music industry contacts. Nowhere else had the same mix of obscure rarities and soul classics.

Thanks to the DJs and their dedication to shipping vinyl weekly from the States, clubgoers were introduced to the likes of The Velvelettes, Sandra Phillips, Dean Courtney, Dana Valery, Bunny Sigler, and Lou Pride. The venue even brought live acts to the stage, like Edwin Starr and Jackie Wilson blowing crowds away with their explosive performances.

Mainstream Exposure

The demand for tickets meant the casino could not keep its underground status for long. And by 1977, crews from Granada TV descended to document the Northern Soul craze. Wigan casino became the go-to place on the UK soul scene and outlasted all its contemporaries. It stayed open for eight years before hosting its final all-nighter in 1981.

During that time, the Blackpool Mecca was its biggest rival. But the two specialised in different tempos of soul music. They even aligned their opening hours so clubbers could visit both clubs on the same night, with Blackpool closing at 2 am just as Wigan opened its doors. This resulted in some frantic 40-mile trips between the two. In 2022, Blackpool was the host of the ongoing Northern soul dance championships.

Eventually, the Wigan council wanted the venue back, and the scene waned. So, in December 1981, the traditional final three tracks of the evening by Tobi Legend, Jimmy Radcliffe, and Dean Parrish were played for the last time. But the legacy of Wigan Casino on the Northern Soul scene continues to this day. And for many, this legacy lives on in online casinos.