Casual gamblers and high rollers alike will tell you that there is no place in the world they would rather visit - or return to - than Monaco. What makes Monaco so special, and why do so many people feel this city-state on the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea is the ultimate destination when they want to gamble? To keep it short and sweet, gambling has been legal in Monaco when Prince Charles III sought to generate wealth, and the casinos here are truly spectacular.
Le Grand Casino was largely responsible for Monaco’s economic turnaround, as an entire ‘city within a city’ was built around it—complete with an opera house, the Oceanographic Museum, and numerous jewelry stores. Today, there are a total of five casinos in operation in Monaco, and each has its own elegant and distinctive character. We will review below about top Monaco casinos.
The Le Grand Casino de Monte Carlo
As stated above, Le Grand Casino de Monte Carlo opened in the mid-1800s. This spectacular venue centers on an atrium ringed by more than two dozen onyx columns. Inside, there are three rooms housing over 300 slot machines and 35 gaming tables. Each room is called a ‘salon’, and each offers a unique experience. Le Salon Super Privé is by invitation only, while the Chemin de Fer and Salle des Amériques salons are open to everyone. Inside the salons you will find towering ceilings, remarkable tapestries, ornate moldings, and crystal chandeliers.
Although you may hear tourists say that you can dress casually inside Le Grand Casino, don’t listen to them; you wouldn’t want to wear shorts and sandals in the very place where James Bond once sipped martinis at the bar. The action is fast-paced, and the clientele is wealthy and quite often very well-known. You could very well find yourself rubbing elbows with a famous person inside this casino.
Le Casino Cafe de Paris
The Casino Café de Paris also dates back a long way, having been built. Today it houses 1,200 slot and video-poker machines, along with more than a dozen table games. This casino is a true paradise for slot enthusiasts, who will enjoy the thrill of spinning reels that can yield particularly generous payouts.
If you decide to visit the casino, you will also have the chance to place your bets on blackjack or English Roulette and revel in a superb table-games experience. The fun doesn’t end there, as Casino Café de Paris has also prepared Texas Hold’em tables for all poker fans. While both recreational players and high-rollers can expect a top-notch experience, those willing to stake more can really get the adrenaline pumping. Thanks to a dedicated VIP area, Casino Café de Paris offers high-rollers the chance to play 12 high-limit video-poker machines and bask in a truly exclusive atmosphere.
Monte Carlo Bay Casino
Monte Carlo Bay Casino is the newest gaming venue in Monte Carlo. In fact, before it opened there had not been a single new casino addition to the principality for seven and a half decades. More than 140 slot games inside Monte Carlo Bay Casino use ticket-in/ticket-out (TITO) technology. TITO machines eliminate coin hoppers and instead rely on onboard barcode scanners. Many casinos in the United States use TITO machines, but the technology is not yet widely adopted in Southern Europe.
At this wonderful land-based casino, players will find a myriad of slot machines that offer a fun, thrilling, and—hopefully—fruitful experience. Thanks to very low minimum bets, you can enjoy many spins and a memorable casino adventure.
Monte Carlo Sporting Club & Casino
Monte Carlo Sporting Club & Casino is open only during the summer months—opening on the first of July and closing at the end of August.
This casino features over 60 slot machines and 24 gaming tables, which include American and English Roulette, Chemin de Fer, Punto Banco, Craps, Blackjack, and 30/40.
This is the perfect venue if you are looking for the full tourist-package adventure. In addition to offering a wide variety of casino games, the resort also provides a wonderful vacation experience for its guests. Monte Carlo Sporting Club is well known for hosting a range of musical concerts and shows that deliver top-notch entertainment to visitors.
Conclusion
If you love to gamble and appreciate spectacular, lavish, and beautiful surroundings, then you simply must make a trip to Monaco. The dining experiences awaiting you are world-class, and the gambling action is full-tilt inside some of the world’s most famous and revered casinos.
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