A different way to play
CASINO DARTBOARD
Back in March 2022, I received an enquiry, from Stuart M. via the Darts From the Past Facebook page, asking about the Casino dartboard, manufactured by WINMAU. The enquirer asked, “Was it a brewery promotion board?”
I was able to provide the following information:
‘The Casino wasn’t a brewery promo board but a proper game played on a special dartboard. The WINMAU Dartboard Company, then based in Haverhill, Suffolk, produced it from circa 2002. The then Managing Director of WINMAU was quoted as saying that the Casino board was
“A fantastic and exciting dartboard which will provide many hours of superb entertainment for dart and card players alike. We are pleased to endorse the WINMAU name on this product.”
However, they ceased to make it around 2004.
It was then produced by the inventor, Roger Mullan. He maintained the name CASINO 301 and was based at Chelsea Harbour in London and used the sales pitch ‘The New Deal in Darts’.
The Sales Manager at that time was Ben Bowler whose name appears on this promotional card. The promotional blurb was sent to me by Ben circa 2005.
Stuart replied:
“Ah. That’s brilliant. Thanks for the info. I guess my memory ain’t as good as it used to be but judging by the wires, it was older than that! Thanks again,”
Nine different dart/card games including ‘3 Dart Brag’ and Pokerdarts’ could be played on this board and, of course, the usual games associated with a standard dartboard.
(The above photo shows me about to ‘trial’ the Casino 301 at my local club. (Image © Chiphotos. Used with permission.)
Back in March 2005, Colin Potts, another darts fan, similarly enquired
Hello. I have just come across a dartboard “Casino 301”. It has a pretty conventional board with the addition of playing cards around the outer. It appears to be quite old, but has never had a dart thrown at it! Could you tell me anything about it, or point me in the direction of someone who could? Hope you don’t mind me asking. Regards, Colin Potts.
I was able to send Colin a copy of the original of this article.
I have no idea if Casino 301 proved very popular as, it seems to me, the majority of darts players prefer not to have their match mucked about with. But, of course, I am happy to be proved wrong.
Also, can any visitor to this website recall any other card game being transferred to a standard dartboard? If so, please contact me via my Contact page.
Text © 2022 Patrick Chaplin. Revised © 2025. Images © as cited.
[The original of this article first appeared in Dr. Darts’ Newsletter #144, March 2022.]
Dr Patrick Chaplin 