The prospect of picket lines outside Mayfair's poshest casinos loomed yesterday when the first strike ballot among croupiers was called by the GMB union.
The dispute with Stanley Leisure, Britain's largest casino operator, came after the rejection of a 3.2% pay offer by staff. The union wants 4.5%.
According to the GMB, salaries for some staff are just £10,000 a year - £500 above the minimum wage.
Mick Ainsley, a GMB organiser, said: "Staff sometimes suffer harassment from customers and the management never back them up. They are worried about losing high-roller clients."
Stanley Leisure made £26m before tax last year.
