Belle Époque palaces, Venetian palazzi and grand London theatres. Europe's historic casinos, researched in depth and rated on the record.
The original palace of chance
Charles Garnier's Belle Époque masterpiece remains the archetype every European casino is measured against. Baccarat, roulette and chemin de fer are dealt beneath frescoed ceilings.
Marlene Dietrich called it 'the most beautiful casino in the world'
Modelled on the palaces of Versailles, the Kurhaus houses a florentine hall, a red room and Dostoevsky's old roulette table — the writer lost a fortune here in 1867.
Ian Fleming's inspiration for Casino Royale
Europe's largest casino by floor area, Estoril has hosted exiled kings, wartime spies and the young Ian Fleming. Today it pairs classical gaming with nightly cabaret.
The world's oldest gambling house
Housed in the Ca' Vendramin Calergi palazzo on the Grand Canal — where Wagner spent his final days — the Casinò di Venezia has continuously dealt cards since the Republic.
Leicester Square's grand three-floor casino
Rebuilt inside a 1900 variety theatre, the Hippodrome layers gaming, cabaret and six bars across three floors. Central London's most-visited casino.