Al-Zayat said simply: "I know it's wrong to lose money like this, but if you have ever been to a casino you will understand what the atmosphere is like," Fouad Al-Zayat, Syrian billionaire who has lost about $300 million U.S.D in recent years.

Free champagne, free meals, comp limos, free suites. They're all part of the casinos plan to attract high rollers.

"There's no such thing as free lunch."

At Crockfords in Mayfair, one of the most exclusive clubs in the capital, the dining room is stocked with free Krug champagne, caviar and lobster

Mr. Al-Zayat recently refused to pay a $2 million pound gambling debt to a London casino. He was sued and the court froze some of his assets.