The Top 5 European casinos

Some of the first casinos in the world opened their doors in Europe, more than two centuries ago and acted as a hotspot for adventurous aristocrats. Las Vegas and Macau might be the top gambling hubs of the world today, but there are more than a handful of superb casinos on the old continent. These five that you will be reading about below, have set the bar so high that they stand out from the crowd and make it extremely difficult for contenders to challenge their supremacy. If you compare the European with the Las Vegas casinos the differences are obvious. While Las Vegas is bigger and bolder, Europe has much more history and style; and Macau… well Macau is a different story. Also another story (for a special reason) is the favorite casino of Dostoyefski and myself, the casino of Baden Baden in Germany.

Casino Estoril (Estoril, Portugal)

Address: Av. Dr. Stlanley Ho, 2765-190 Estoril, Portugal
Phone: +351 21 466 7700
Email:Info.cestoril@estoril-sol.com
Open Hours: 3:00 pm – 3:00 am

Those who seek nonstop action and can’t think of anything more exciting than spinning the reels of slot machines, play roulette or blackjack, will surely love Casino Estoril. This is the largest Casino in Europe and the best place to gamble in Portugal and it is never closed, except for Christmas Eve, with action starting each day at 3 PM while coming to an end 12 hours later. Conveniently located 18 kilometres from Lisbon and 20 kilometres from the International Airport, the casino offers hundreds of parking spaces, a cloakroom, a tobacco shop and of course ATM service.

Casino Estoril has free admission as long as you are at least 18 years old and covers all the popular forms of gambling. Prominent poker tournaments are held here throughout the year, while action never slows down around the roulette or at blackjack and baccarat tables. Whenever you need to unwind, the local band FLOW will get you in the mood with a nice collection of covers. Everything from the Beatles and Eric Clapton, to Michael Jackson and Jamiroquai is on the list, with the artists providing an intimate concert.

If you seek a different type of entertainment, Jézebel is the nightclub to visit on Fridays and Saturdays from November to May. You might remember some of the customers from the poker tables, so do yourself a favor and resist the temptation of discussing your strategies. Remember that whatever you say can and will probably be used against you when poker resumes the next day.

The Clermont Club (London, UK)

Address: 44 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 5AR, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7493 5587
Open Hours: 1:00 pm – 4:00 am

It goes without saying that there is no scarcity of luxurious casinos in London, but those who won’t settle for second best don’t have much of a decision to make. Located at 44 Berkeley Square, the Clermont Club is the place to be if you seek the finest gaming establishment in United Kingdom and a nice assortment of casino games. You only get one chance to make a good first impression, but this casino nailed it, by choosing the last surviving townhouse built by William Kent as its location.

If you want to mingle with fellow customers, get ready for nonstop action at roulette, baccarat, blackjack and three card poker tables. On the other hand, if you prefer a more private gaming experience, check out the Salle Prive or spend some quality time at the intimate bar and lounge. Good things are in short supply, but even though the Clermont Club has a membership requirement, they accept personal applications from anyone over the age of 18 years.

You don’t need to be a millionaire to play here, although it helps to know that money is not of the essence. The stakes are reasonable and range from a handful of British Sterling pounds to four digit numbers, so both highrollers and amateurs will find a home at Clermont Club. You don’t need to worry about looking for fine food anywhere else, because these guys have some of the best dining facilities. Regardless of how demanding the guests, the fine assortment of food option and the excellent collection of wines will meet and probably exceed expectations.

The Clermont Club has a very rich history of glam and crime and in 2006 was aquired by a Malaysian billionaire.

The Casino at the Empire (London, UK)

Address: 5-6 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7NA, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 3642 8597
Email: No email address, but you can send a message at their facebook page
Open 24 hours

Being a UK resident has its perks and one of them is that you get to choose between several top-notch casinos. Located at 5-6 Leicester Square, the Casino at the Empire delivers the best of both worlds, as it brilliantly captures the elegance of an English club and combines it with the ultimate American casino experience. Caesars Entertainment is one of the biggest players in this highly competitive industry and their United Kingdom offshoot is one of its finest.

The architecture is impressive on many levels and what awaits you inside is even better, so contemplate the possibility of purchasing London experience packages. With Christmas around the corner, you can present yourself with the best possible gift, by participating in the Christmas Carnival or the Icon Great Gatsby Bash. The games run unabated throughout the holiday season and there is always a flurry of blackjack and baccarat players to match you up against.

Any curiosity you might have regarding the art of mix-ology, will be satisfied as the cocktail master class experience package will turn you into an expert. Casinos are mostly about winning at various games, but the Casino at the Empire goes a step further and invites members to learn from the best croupiers how to play roulette and blackjack. Only time will tell whether this new-found knowledge will pay off at the tables, but at least you will know how it feels to be in the dealer’s shoes (or pants).

Casino de Monte-Carlo (Monaco)

Address: Place du Casino – 98000 Monaco
Phone: +377 98 06 21 21
Email: vip@montecarlocasinos.com
Open hours: 2:00 pm – 1:30 am (depends on day and season)

European top class casino.

Not so long ago, the Monte Carlo Casino was one of the few places where rich man and women could play on real money in a luxurious place. There are plenty to choose from today, but this establishment is still at the top of the list for those who have high expectations. The building is perhaps the most beautiful one ever to host a casino, so those who have a keen eye for beauty will appreciate the fine architectural style well before they get to put their luck to the test.

Stepping inside the Monte Carlo Casino is like traveling back in time, with the sublime setting inviting you to wander aimlessly on the corridors. More pragmatic visitors, will be enthralled by the nice diversity of table games, with more titles available here than anywhere else in the world. Blackjack and baccarat have been played for hundreds of years, but the most glamorous players and the most epic bets took place at these French roulette tables.
Monte Carlo Casino set another record, with its 1000+ slot machines, more than any other casino in Europe and new titles are added on a weekly basis. There is a good chance to play slot games here that will never be released beyond borders, which makes it hard not to feel special. This is truly a legendary casino were modernity and tradition blend in nicely, with the next gen slots fitting in among the gilded paintings and opulent statues.

Ever since it opened its doors to the greater audience, Monte Carlo Casino has confirmed its role as a popular destination for intellectuals, celebrities and international stars. It is refreshing to know that whenever you sit down at poker tables, there is a good chance to run into people who have more money than poker skills. The Jazz, rock and pop concerts as well as the fashion shows that take place here throughout the year represent the icing on the cake.

Casinò di Campione (Campione, Como, Italy)

Address: Piazzale Milano, 2, 22060 Campione D’italia CO, Italy
Phone: +41 91 640 11 11
Email: marketing@casinocampione.ch
Open hours: 12:00 pm – 5:00 am

Casinò di Campione will celebrate 100 years of existence in three years from now, making it one of the long-lasting casinos of Italy. It rivals the glamour and luxury of its Monte Carlo and Paris counterparts, having acted as a gracious host to famous people who came here to gamble. When the casino first opened its doors in the early 20th century, the first World War was raging and it served the infamous purpose of concealing espionage activities.

It is always nice when a casino has a compelling story to tell or when it is shrouded in mystery and Casinò di Campione scores big points in this regard. The building itself is fantastic, being the creation of Amerigo Marazzi, while the interiors are the masterpieces of painter Girolamo Romeo. Don’t be surprised if the first sensation will be that you are stepping inside a palace or at least a museum, because this luxurious casino has this effect on people.

French roulette at Casinò di Campione, one of the 5 top casinos in Europe.

They didn’t call it the “Belle Epoque” for no reason and with several salons evoking this period in time, customers are guaranteed to enjoy every second spent here. The building and hosts conferences and show business events in addition to acting as a gracious host for those seeking the best gaming experience money can buy.

No other casino in Italy and very few in Europe can brag about hosting so many weekly poker tournaments as the Casinó Campione d’Italia. Several of them are scheduled at the beginning of each month and the stakes range from a handful of euros to buy-ins that will set players back a few hundreds. One of the highly anticipated events of winter is the Baccarat Torneo D’inverno, which just as the name suggests, attracts the elite of baccarat players from all over the world.
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