The Beat

Land-Based Casinos

Belle Époque palaces, Venetian palazzi and grand London theatres. Europe's historic casinos, researched in depth and rated on the record.

★ 4.9 Est. 1863 Casino de Monte-Carlo
Monte Carlo · Monaco

Casino de Monte-Carlo

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.

Dress
Smart elegant, jacket after 8pm
Entry
€18 admission
★ 4.8 Est. 1824 Kurhaus Casino Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden · Germany

Kurhaus Casino Baden-Baden

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.

Dress
Jacket required for men
Entry
€5 admission
★ 4.6 Est. 1916 Casino Estoril
Estoril · Portugal

Casino Estoril

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.

Dress
Smart casual
Entry
Free entry
★ 4.7 Est. 1638 Casinò di Venezia
Venice · Italy

Casinò di Venezia

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.

Dress
Elegant, jacket required
Entry
€10 admission
★ 4.6 Est. 2012 The Hippodrome Casino
London · United Kingdom

The Hippodrome Casino

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.

Dress
Smart casual
Entry
Free entry