Casino de Monte Carlo – A Historical Gambling Spot
We tried, but we really couldn’t think of a classier way to play roulette than visiting the Casino de Monte Carlo. If that seems like an impossibly expensive trip for you, you may be surprised. And if that is your dream destination and money is no problem, we are full of useful tips on how to gamble in style. Ready for the ultimate casino experience?
In this article, we will walk you through the legendary casino and tell you everything about the games you can play there and their minimum bet requirement. We will also tell you what (not) to wear. Read short reviews of the bars and restaurants in the casino building with an average price range. And finally, find out why James Bond is so closely related to the casino (hint: it’s not the Casino Royale movie).
Monte Carlo Casino – History & Facts
More than 150 years since its establishment Casino de Monte Carlo is still as classy and glamorous as it used to be. It is owned and operated by Société des Bains de Mer de Monaco, a public company where the government of Monaco and the royal family hold the majority interest. Monte Carlo casino is a gambling and entertainment complex that includes the casino, Opera de Monte Carlo, and Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo.
The opening of the casino was actually a financial rescue plan devised by Princess Caroline, who was hoping to save the House of Grimaldi from bankruptcy. She surely did because Casino de Monte Carlo has been the primary source of income for the royal family and Monaco’s economy.
The casino did not succeed right away. It was partly because there was no infrastructure back then – no roads to connect Monaco to Nice and no good accommodation, and partly because of inadequate management. The first casino was opened in 1856. But it was not until 1863, when François Blanc took over the management and Société des Bains de Mer de Monaco was created, that the enterprise became profitable.
| 🏛️ Established | 1863 |
| 📜 Ownership | Société des Bains de Mer de Monaco |
| 📍 Address | Place du Casino, 98000 Monaco |
| ☎️ Phone Number | + 377 98 06 20 00 / + 377 98 06 41 51 |
| 🕒 Open | 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
| 🎟️ Individual Adult Entrance Fee | €17 |
Monte Carlo Casino Games
- Slots – min bet: €0.01
- The French Live Roulette – min bet: €1
- Split Aces – min bet: €1
- English Roulette – min bet: €5
- French Roulette – min bet: €5
- Poker Texas Hold’em Ultimate – min bet: €10
- Craps – min bet: €10
- Punto Banco – min bet: €20
- Blackjack – min bet: €25
There are four casino games offered at Casino de Monte Carlo – Texas Hold’em poker, blackjack, slots, punto banco and their trademark – roulette. There’s also Split Aces, not an individual game, rather an additional bet you can put while playing blackjack. It gives you a chance to win a progressive jackpot starting at €5.000, so we’d say it’s worth the extra €1 on your bet.
Another interesting game offered at Casino Monte Carlo Monaco is punto banco. This is the American version of baccarat that is played at the majority of UK gambling sites but it is almost never labelled as ‘punto banco’. Tomayto, tomahto. You can give it a go at the Salle Europe for a minimum bet of €20.
Of course, the jewel in the crown of this legendary gambling spot is roulette. We’re not sure whether it’s the James Bond movies that made the game so popular or the fact that French Roulette is exclusive to Monte Carlo casino, but some gamblers come to Monaco to play this game alone. And the minimum bet is just €5 – great for all kinds of players.
Casino Monte Carlo Chips
How cool is it to come home with chips from an iconic casino as souvenirs? This is favourite memorabilia even for non-gamblers, to say nothing of poker fans. Casino Monte Caro chips are both a work of art in their own right and a piece of history.
For almost a century now, they have been provided to the casino by Bourgogne et Grasset – a gaming supplies manufacturer set in Beaune, which also makes all other tokens and dice for the table games.
Monte Carlo Casino was the first in history to use a system other than cash for betting. Up to 1927 all Casino de Monte Carlo chips were individually chiselled from mother of pearl, but the material proved too fragile. This was when the casino struck a deal with Bourgogne et Grasset to create more durable synthetic chips inlaid with mother of pearl. This partnership remains strong, and the chips still match the glamour and elegance of the iconic casino.
Monte Carlo Casino Inside – Take a Walk with Us
Inside Monte Carlo Casino you will find 6 gaming halls, 2 fine-dining restaurants and 3 bars. We’ve dedicated special paragraphs for them, so let us quickly mention the Opera Monte-Carlo, situated in the casino building.
And if you are too impatient to see the casino, you can always take the Monte Carlo Casino virtual tour and daydream about your luxurious vacation there.
The opera is by far the most spectacular hall in the building and besides the regular performances it hosts, it is also a place for galas. The price for a single opera ticket varies between €20 for a balcony and €180 for an orchestra seat. You can book your tickets online, print them and show them in the atrium.
Monaco Bars – Lounge Areas and Drinks in the Casino
Café de la Rotonde is found in the atrium and is open all day every day. It is also a family-friendly lounge area, unlike the other bars, which are strictly for adults only. The café is found in the back of the atrium and is only open in the high season from April to October.
Lounge Bar Salle Europe is also open daily but the working hours are from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. The bar is situated in the homonymous gaming hall and is decorated in a rather James Bond-ish style. There’s even a special 007 dry martini cocktail in the menu, and of course, they make it ‘shaken, not stirred’.
Le Bar Salle Blanche is open daily from 2 p.m. till midnight as well. It is situated in the VIP gaming hall with the same name and is accessible only to My Monte-Carlo Gold, Platinum and Privé cardholders. The sumptuous décor and exclusive admission guarantee the ultimate gambling experience.
Restaurants in Monte Carlo Casino Monaco – Fine Dining
Monte Carlo Casino Monaco is a place where you can enjoy fine dining as well. There are two restaurants in Casino De Monte Carlo, one in the heart of the casino itself ant the other adjoining the gambling halls. To enter each of them, you will have to go through an ID check and pay an admission fee of €17, which is deductible from your food bill if you spend over €30 per person.
The dress code for both restaurants is not strictly formal, meaning you won’t need to wear a tie or a gown, but jackets and dresses are recommended. Gym shoes, flip-flops and t-shirts are a no-no. Guests of both restaurants have access to the gambling area (both tables and slot machines) and the lounge bars.
Monte Carlo Casino Dress Code
Have you dry cleaned your tux lately? Just kidding! Although the Monte Carlo casino dress code is not that strict, you will have to lose your t-shirt and sneakers when you head for the casino. Turns out Belle Epoque architecture and Air Max doesn’t mix well. Find a detailed dress code guide below.
| Gaming Room | Type | Games Start at | Monte Carlo Casino Dress Code | Admission Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salle Europe | table games | 2 p.m. | dark jeans, dark sports shoes, long-sleeve shirts, dresses, casual but chic shoes | ID check, 18+ |
| Salle Renaissance | slots | 11 a.m. | dark jeans, dark sports shoes, long-sleeve shirts, dresses, casual but chic shoes | ID check, 18+ |
| Salles Touzet | private rooms | 2 p.m. | dark jeans, dark sports shoes, long-sleeve shirts, dresses, casual but chic shoes | ID check, 18+ |
| Salle des Amériques | slots, live roulette | 11 a.m. | dark jeans, dark sports shoes, long-sleeve shirts, dresses, casual but chic shoes | ID check, 18+ |
| Salle Médecin | private lounge | 2 p.m. | Jackets mandatory for men | ID check, 18+ |
| Salle Blanche | VIP room | 2 p.m. | Jackets mandatory for men | ID check, 18+ |
Most gambling halls tolerate dressy bermudas and t-shirts during the day, but they are not allowed after 7 p.m. Also, beachwear, flip-flops, sandals, gym shoes and tank tops are not allowed anywhere in the casino. Men should stick to dark jeans and long-sleeved shirts while women have a considerably wider range of choices – dresses, dark jeans, shirts, suit pant are all okay.
Monte Carlo Casino in James Bond Movies
We are still unsure whether it’s Mr Bond who’s associated with the Casino de Monte Carlo or vice versa, but the two of them have become literary inseparable in pop culture. There’s even a James Bond roulette strategy which promises a 67.7% chance for a win.
If you are a James Bond fan, you might be wondering when was it that he played roulette in a movie. The answer is Casino Royale (the old version) and in the book. Most people would also swear that the remake of Casino Royale took place at Casino de Monte Carlo, but that’s not true. 007 has been filmed in Monaco twice in the movies:
- 🍸 Never Say Never Again (1983)
- 🕵️ GoldenEye (1995)
FAQ
There is so much more to say about Monte Carlo casino Monaco, but no matter how eloquent we are, you really must see it to believe it. So, let us summarise everything we discussed in this article in this FAQ section and leave you planning your trip to Monaco.
