Monaco has a 60-year reputation as one of the most luxurious gambling and entertainment scene. Many believe that the contemporary history of gambling begins with Monaco and its ruling family.
Prince Charles III was a key figure in positioning the country as the central stage of European casino entertainment. He appointed a French entrepreneur, Francois Blanc, who became the first successful casino manager. Blanc brought games like roulette to Europe and introduced a strict dress code to maintain the feeling of exclusivity within the gambling houses.
Today, the country maintains its reputation with the help of some of the best casinos in Monaco, like the historic Casino de Monte Carlo, Sun Casino, and many more. The article below covers high-class Monaco casinos and ranks them according to their quality, diversity, and entertainment options.
If you plan to visit Monaco soon, visiting the top 3 casinos in Monaco is a must. It is not just a gambling experience, it rather is a time-traveling- bringing you back to the early 19th century. Thousands of tourists walk through Monaco's streets, stopping by various gambling and slot houses. Below is the list of the best casinos in Monaco. What makes these casinos special is not only their elegant settings and luxurious atmosphere but also the history and reputation they carry.
The history of Casino de Monte-Carlo begins in 1863. It was the idea of Princess Caroline, who was the wife of Monaco’s Prince Florestan I at that time. She thought about Monaco's financial challenges at that time and decided that the casino would generate revenue and aid the economy. The casino was rebuilt 15 years later by the architect Charles Garnier, who designed the Paris Opera.
While not as focused on slot machines as some other casinos in Monaco, the Casino de Monte-Carlo still provides dozens of modern and classic slot machines. The casino has a strict dress code: visitors need to dress elegantly, and men are required to wear a jacket and tie.
The entertainment at one of the best casinos in Monaco does not end with gambling. Connected to Salle Garnier, an ornate opera and ballet house, visitors have a chance to enjoy cultural performances and events.
Address: Pl. du Casino, 98000 Monaco
Phone: +377 98 06 21 21
Website: https://www.montecarlosbm.com/en/casino-monaco/casino-monte-carlo
Casino Cafe de Paris is a neighbor to Casino de Monte-Carlo and is placed right into the heart of the city. The casino is one of the few that operates 24/7, allowing visitors to enjoy gaming at any hour of the day. This facility can compete with the top #1 casino in Monaco, thanks to its relatively casual atmosphere. The casino features a modern and vibrant atmosphere without the strict dress codes that appear elsewhere in Monaco.
Casino Cafe de Paris includes restaurants and bars with plenty of dining options that range from casual to exclusive. While it is not famous for large-scale events like its competitors, the casino frequently offers music performances and themed nights. The gaming portfolio is very impressive, as well. This is one of the best casinos in Monaco for electronic gaming lovers, as it features plenty of slot machines.
Even though Cafe de Paris has evolved and offers the highest standards of gaming experience, it still comes as the second choice.
Address: Pl. du Casino, 98000 Monaco
Phone: +377 98 06 77 77
Website: https://www.montecarlosbm.com/en/restaurant-monaco/the-cafe-de-paris
While not in the heart of Monaco, Casino Barriere Menton is located within a 20-minute drive from Monte Carlo. It is one of the favorite casinos of Monaco visitors primarily due to its beautiful location in the small town of Menton on the French Riviera, near the border with Italy.
Barriere Group is a famous international brand that has an extensive portfolio of casinos in Europe. This particular casino offers all classic casino games played on a table, such as several types of roulette, classic blackjack, variations of poker, and baccarat, as well as several different types of slot machines.
Address: 2 Av. Félix Faure, 06500 Menton, France
Phone: +33 4 92 10 16 16
Website: https://www.casinosbarriere.com/fr/menton.html
The government of Monaco regulates all gambling activities within the country. All casinos that operate in Monaco are operating under the Societe des Bains de Mer (SBM). The legal gambling age is 18 years old in Monaco for all visitors (both locals and foreigners).
Monaco is one of the most favorable places in terms of tax laws for gamblers. There is no personal income tax or tax on the gambling winnings. As the national currency here is EUR, most casinos accept the Euro in cash but also allow payments by most credit card types. In case you are traveling with some other currency, there are currency exchange facilities available near casinos, but their rates are often not convenient.
The casinos will usually require guests to present a valid identification document - this can be either a passport or government-issued ID.
