Casinos in Monaco

Skip To The List of Casinos

Introduction

Monaco is a city-state imbued with glamor and situated on the French Riviera. It is well known for its luxury and world-class entertainment. The principality’s casinos are a big part of Monaco’s identity. The casinos of Monte Carlo bring in high-rollers and regular tourists who are affluent enough to be able to afford a short or longer vacation there. Monaco might be small with a footprint of less than one square mile [2.1 km2 (0.81 sq mi), 208 ha (510 acres)] but it’s a mighty giant at the top of the list of many gamblers’ must-visit destinations that will most often never be ticked off.

History of Gambling

Monaco’s reputation as a gambling mecca began to take shape in the 19th century when Prince Charles III turned to tourism and gaming to boost the economy during hard financial times. The Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) was founded in 1863 and ushered in a new age of grand casinos, hotels, and cultural institutions. SBM still runs the remaining casinos in Monaco.

The Monte Carlo Casino was modeled after Germany's Bad Homburg casino and became the bejeweled flagship of Monaco’s casino gaming industry. The original Bad Homburg casino included a restaurant, ballrooms, and a theater, and introduced the first single-zero roulette wheel. Roulette is historically the most famous game in Monte Carlo.

While Prince Charles III was able to attract some of the same class of people that the Blanc brothers were able to bring to Bad Hamburg simply by emulating the architecture and amenities he also hired one of the brothers to manage his fledgling casino, which surely contributed to the establishment's eventual success with not only the same class of gamblers but the self-same punters. But something else was in the wind after François Blanc, known as the "magician of Monte Carlo" for his ability to draw in players came to work his magic.

One thing that brought gamblers to Monte Carlo in droves was when neighboring European countries, like France, Italy, and Germany banned gambling outright. Those players needed somewhere to get their thrills and experience the comradery they had found in their own gaming establishments and Monte Carlo was the resounding answer to the question of where to play.

More allure was added to the elixir when the James Bond films "GoldenEye" and "Dr. No" brought a spotlight casino scene, much as Ian Fleming's 1953 novel Casino Royale and the 2006 James Bond movie of the same name brought another international light to faraway Montenegro’s casino industry.

Of course, Monaco’s location and natural beauty have something to do with its success as a tourist destination but others in history paid attention to the location long before the modern era. The port there was established in the 6th century BC by the Phocaeans and it became a place of strategic importance under Roman rule as well. The Grimaldi family seized control near the end of the Middle Ages with François Grimaldi capturing the fortress in 1297. The Grimaldis still rule Monaco today as they have continuously except for some brief interludes such as the time surrounding the French Revolution. In the 20th century, the principality’s appeal was further cemented into the public consciousness through the 1955 marriage of American actress, Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier III and the Monaco Grand Prix Formula One motor racing event that was first held in 1929.

Legislation and Jurisdiction

Monaco’s gambling laws are strict and seem to be set up primarily to protect its economy. Considering the known impetus of the gambling industry there that shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Even though gambling is explicitly legal, residents of Monaco are not allowed to play or even work in the casinos which cater to tourists exclusively.

According to Stanford lecturer Mark Braude: “The royal family, who have always owned a stake in casino operations, saw that legalized gambling could form a good economic basis for Monaco. So they convinced [François] Blanc to come and create the first resort of its type.”

The Monegasque Gambling Authority is led by a Chief Officer, a Deputy, and inspectors. The Authority is collectively responsible for overseeing the operation of gaming houses. Their duties include inspecting gaming activities, monitoring access controls, regulating operating hours, and making sure that games are conducted under appropriate conditions with proper employee conduct. They can also investigate any legal violations and determine whether the violations are offenses or infringements and if necessary, act in coordination with the Public Prosecutor to address violations to maintain compliance with the law and safeguard the integrity of the industry.

Popular Spots and Games

Monaco’s casinos are known the world over for their elegance and exclusivity. As it has been from the first day of operations Casino de Monte-Carlo is the centerpiece, the crown jewel, and the Crème de la crème of the action in Monaco.

Monte Carlo Casino: This iconic venue has been synonymous with luxury gaming since it opened in 1865. Visitors will find a mix of classic table games like roulette, baccarat, and blackjack, along with slot machines. More than a gambling venue, the casino is an architectural masterpiece with opulently appointed interiors and a Belle Époque exterior with an ornate facade and architectural details. At its core, an atrium is framed by 28 onyx columns. Located in Monaco’s Place du Casino, it is surrounded by gardens and terraces. The adjacent Jardin du Casino features a tranquil pond with a reflective orb.

Casino Café de Paris: Located near the Monte Carlo Casino, this gambling venue offers more of a relaxed vibe and a less imposing atmosphere for many gamblers. Low-limits slots and other games make it more accessible to a wider audience while still maintaining a high-class experience.

Casinos Closures

For all of their veneer of untouchability, Monaco casinos have faced challenges. The pandemic resulted in long closures that impacted the revenues of SBM just as the emergency hit other locales and individual operations. The local gambling industry has rebounded and not only survives today but is thriving.

Sun Casino was once seen as the "most American" of Monaco's casinos, but the venue has seen better days. After its pandemic closure in 2020, it was officially shut down by the Société des Bains de Mer on paper as well. Plans to merge its operations with the Casino Café de Paris may have pre-dated the pandemic-era closure. If so, it seems SBM took the opportunity to shutter the venue and charge off a small loss of about €7.5m in the 2020/2021 fiscal year.

Monte Carlo Bay Casino appears to have closed on March 14, 2020, due to COVID restrictions, and while the hotel and resort have re-opened the casino itself seems to be closed permanently.

Conclusion

Monaco’s casinos present a singular blend of tradition, glamour, and exclusivity unseen anywhere else in the world. While the Monte Carlo Casino represents the pinnacle of high-stakes gambling experience for Europeans and others in the Western world, other venues like the Casino Café de Paris give the local industry depth and flavor. Sun Casino’s closure shows that not even the best-managed operations in the most sought-after locales are impervious to financial harm no matter from which quarter it comes. However, Monaco's resilience and enduring appeal should ensure the casinos of Monte Carlo will maintain their position in the global gaming industry.