Monte Carlo Casino is one of the most exclusive gambling facilities in the world. It is also one of Monaco’s most interesting attractions. You can still visit the casino even if you do not plan to gamble.

Monte Carlo Casino is a magnificent, richly decorated building in the Principality of Monaco, and also the main attraction of the Monte Carlo district. It is something you must see while you are in Monaco. If you like to gamble, you can also play of course.

Important note: gambling can lead to bankruptcy. You should not gamble using borrowed money, nor spend all your money. Treat casino gambling only as entertainment, not as a way to get rich. In this article, I do not encourage you to gamble at Monte Carlo Casino. I describe this place as a tourist attraction that is worth visiting.

A brief history of Monte Carlo Casino

Monaco’s casino was founded in the middle of the 19th century. Earlier, the principality was a poor agricultural country ruled by Prince Charles III. The idea of building a casino fell to his mother; it was she who brought Francois Blanc to Monaco, a man who successfully ran other European casinos. Blanc founded a company called Societe des Bains de Mer et du Cercle des Etrangers that still manages the casino and other important places in the principality.

Monte Carlo Casino, Monaco

Monte Carlo Casino, Monaco

The principality raised money for development – including the construction of the casino –  by selling 80% of its area to France. The areas of today’s villages of Roquebrune and Menton were given over to France in return for 4 million francs and the promise that France would build a road and rail-line from Nice to Monaco. Monte Carlo Casino so quickly began to bring the principality profits that the prince abolished the taxes paid by his subjects.

How to visit Monte Carlo Casino

The casino can be visited in a number of different ways. Check out the most interesting options below:

  • Group visits (min. 10 people): every day from 9AM to 1PM. The admission ticket costs €10 per person. You can wear “tourist” clothing for these visits. The casino is cleaned and maintained during this time, and you can take photos inside the building, but you cannot gamble. If there are less than 10 people, the admission ticket costs €17 per person from May to the end of September, and €12 per person from October to May.
  • Individual visits from 2PM onwards: admission to the first room is free. There you can gamble on the slot machines, but you can’t take pictures. Admission to all the casino rooms costs €17 (€14 groups). Card games and roulette are open. Photo ID is required to enter all the casinos’ rooms. Dress code: appropriate casual attire (no ripped jeans).

How to gamble at Monte Carlo Casino

If you just want to gamble for fun, to be able to say for the rest of your life that you’ve played at Monte Carlo Casino, prepare a €5 banknote. This is the minimum amount accepted by casino’s gambling machines. All you have to do is put the money in the chosen slot machine and get carried away by the emotions. If you win something, you can withdraw the money immediately, on the spot.

Just remember the old saying that the casino always wins – the wealth of the Monaco principality is the best proof of this.

You can find more information about the dress code, opening hours, and ticket prices on the website: casinomontecarlo.com.