 In 1977 , Trafalgar House agreed to lease the basement to Mecca Sportsman and Pleasurama , and the Ritz Club was opened the following year , under separate management from the hotel . The basement was restored in the hotel 's Louis XVI style of 1906 , and the decorations included 6 @,@ 000 sheets of gold leaf . Gold leaf was not spared on moldings , cupids and garlands and a blue sky with fluffy clouds painted on the ceiling above the gaming tables . The restoration consisted of repainting , cleaning and recovering all in the original color scheme . Furniture was restored to its original state and replicas replaced what could not be restored . Stephen Pulman was appointed Head Chef , after being recruited from the exclusive club and restaurant Annabel ’ s . When it opened , the Ritz Club was open to members and hotel guests only . However , unlike most casinos , it charges a fee to enter . The games are considered " high stakes " in that the minimum bet is usually very high . They offer roulette , black jack , baccarat , and poker , as well as some slot machines . 
