Fifty opened its doors to the public for the first time in 1827 and quickly earned the reputation of being "the Ascot of gambling."

Designed by the then fashionable architect Benjamin Wyatt, Fifty owes its name to its postal address, 50 St James Street.

The Duke of Wellington and the notorious French dandy, Count D'Orsay were regular high rollers at the casino often gorging themselves on the finest cuisine prepared by a chef who had been employed by no other than Louis XVI.

Renowned interior design Jeffery Beers kept the general aesthetics of the casino but injected a new lease of life into the building referred to in the past as being "the most talked about gambling hall in the most talked about street in the most talked about city in the world."

The casino spans over four floors, each one oozing class and sophistication from every corner.

Most visitors start their day in the cocktail bar Salvatore, named after the much-decorated barman Salvatore Calabrese.

His signature drink, the Breakfast Martini, is famous throughout the world but there is also a selection of the finest cognacs to choose from, including a 1789 vintage from the year of the French Revolution.

Guests can also delight their taste buds in two restaurants run by Jean-George Vongerichten, a classically trained chef with 19 establishments to his name.

V was created to give a "living room" effect, putting its customers at ease as they sampled some of the exemplary produce on the planet against a backdrop of leather and stone bar, with detailed rich leaf patterned walls.

For a more lively dining experience, mirroring the head-chef's New York diner, customers can choose to eat in Rama where Jean-George created some Pan-Asian dishes that are unique to Fifty.

The exclusive Club Lounge, nicknamed Fifty Below can be found in the basement and is only open to the most elite customers of the casino.

An illuminated glass catwalk is the centrepiece of the club whilst the chandeliers shed ample light onto the coloured glass panels that create intimate enclosures throughout the room.

"Fifty Below" is operated by none other than Marc Merran who was the engineer behind top London clubs Aura and Chinawhite.

The casino is one of the most visually impressive gaming rooms in the world.

The silk wall coverings are bathed in light from a contemporary chandelier in the centre of the main gaming area, creating a sense of intimacy and scale throughout the gaming area, whilst the custom-built mahogany tables and chairs were designed for maximum comfort.

One of the more exclusive casinos in London, Fifty offers a unique, intoxicating atmosphere for gamblers and non-gamblers alike.

The £750 annual membership fee may deter the masses from joining but the current members agree that it is worth every penny to be able to use the casinos vast facilities.