Casino Royale: Gaming in Monte-Carlo

The original, and still the most elegant

The Casino de Monte-Carlo, designed by Charles Garnier and opened in 1863, remains Europe’s most glamorous gambling establishment. The building itself — marble, gilt, frescoes — functions as much as a monument as a casino. The atrium and salons are open to visitors who pay the entrance fee; the gaming rooms beyond require appropriate dress (jacket for men after 8pm) and the willingness to engage.

The main gaming rooms offer roulette, blackjack, and punto banco at stakes that range from accessible to serious. The Salles Privées — the private rooms — accommodate those who prefer higher limits and greater discretion. Minimum bets in these rooms start at €10,000; maximum bets are negotiated according to the player’s credit.

The experience extends beyond gambling. The Bar Américain serves cocktails that have barely changed since the 1920s; the terrace overlooks the gardens and the sea; the restaurant, Le Train Bleu, recreates Belle Époque railway dining. An evening at the Casino can involve no gambling at all and still qualify as memorable.

Note: Monaco residents are prohibited from gambling in the Casino — a rule established by Prince Charles III to protect local families from ruin. This has not noticeably diminished the establishment’s profitability.