7 Mega Casinos in Europe You Have to Visit
Casino at the Empire, London, England
For those of you who love a little old school glamour, the Casino at the Empire has it in bucket loads. Previously a music hall, this impressive venue dates back to 1884 and is situated in the glitzy west end.
Owned by Caesars Entertainment, you can enjoy 150 table games and slots 24 hours a day spread over 55,000 square feet and an action packed poker room which is home to one of the UK’s largest tournaments.
Casino Estoril, Lisbon, Portugal
History buffs who enjoy a flutter this is the place for you! The casino Estoril in Lisbon has been around since the First World War in 1916. Rumour has it, during the second world war, it was a hiding place for spies and royals on the run.
Fast forward to its gambling days, it likes to shun the 24-hour openings for a more respectful 12-hour gaming day. Enjoy 1,235 table games and slots set over an impressive 27,000 square foot. For relaxation time, lounge in one of the 10 onsite bars and restaurants offering fine food and refreshments.
Casino Barriere d’Enghein-les-Bains, France
Get your glad rags on and head down to the Barriere Casino, 11km to the north of Paris. Set on the lakeside with jaw-dropping views, this venue offers world class gaming and slots, a spa, a theatre, an atrium and beautiful décor that’ll have you feeling like you’re in a Bond movie.
Cruise around the 43,000 square foot of gaming floor and play over 40 table games including roulette, blackjack, baccarat and 350 slots. Do you fancy yourself as a high roller? Then head to the Salon des Princes, decorated by the renowned interior designer Jacques Garcia. Just make sure you have enough 500 euro bets lined up for the minimum wager!
Salzburg Casino, Austria
The casino Salzburg opened its finely decorated doors in 1935. After moving venue a few times, it finally settled in the Schloss Klessheim building which literally translates to ‘’pleasure palace’’. Even before you enter this beautiful institution, you’ll be wowed by the magnificent Triton fountain and perfectly manicured gardens.
Once inside, you can enjoy an extensive range of gaming tables including roulette, blackjack, poker, baccarat, tropical stud poker and over 193 gaming slots. At the end of a tough gambling session, enjoy a complimentary chauffeured Mercedes ride home.
Resorts World, Birmingham, England
One of the newest mega casinos on the list, the Resort World Birmingham was opened in 2015 by the Genting Group after a 150 million construction spend. While you won’t find history here, you’ll be impressed with the incredible facilities.
Grabbing the crown as the largest casino in the UK, this place offers 59,180 square foot of gaming floor, bars, shops, restaurants, a spa, a cinema and a 4-star hotel. Situated smack bang in the middle of the NEC district, you can explore the local area after gambling your way through 200 gaming tables and high roller rooms.
Casino de Monte-Carlo, Monaco
If you want to fit in here – hire a flashy sports car for the night! Home to the rich and famous, Monte Carlo is a high rollers dream, being filled with designer boutiques, grand architecture and a harbour full of luxurious yachts.
And the Casino de Monte Carlo doesn’t disappoint, dating back to 1863, it’s been featured in many blockbuster movies such as Oceans 12 and James Bond. The exquisitely beautiful architecture makes you feel like you’re stepping inside a palace.
Upon entering, you can peruse 108,000 square feet of bustling gaming tables and 300 slots. Fancy a snack – then head to one of the 18 fine dining restaurants. And the fun doesn’t stop there, you can attend the L’Opera de Monte Carlo and Les Ballets de Monte Carlo in the same building.
Casino de Campione, Como, Italy
The Casino de Campione in beautiful Como believes size does matter, offering a mammoth 600,000 square feet of gambling fun. Established in 1917, this casino was originally used as a place to extract sensitive information from foreign diplomats during the war.
Set over 9 floors, this behemoth casino offers 56 traditional table games and over 500 slots. But, Europe’s largest and oldest casino that brought riches to the local town and people, fell on hard times and closed its doors in 2018.
Such a loved establishment was never going to stay shut for long though. According to recent reports, a rescue plan is in place, approved by a court in Lombardy and Como town. They hope to have the Casino de Campione open again by the end of the year.
Smaller European Casinos Not to Miss
This list wouldn’t be complete without the mention of a few smaller, glamorous European gaming establishments. What these casinos lack in size, they make up for in stunning architecture and luxury. Three not to miss include:
The Ritz Club London
The Ritz is one of the most iconic and exclusive casinos in the world. If you want to get in here, make sure you plan ahead as they operate a strict, members only policy. Since the Ritz is frequented by stars such as Johnny Depp, Shirley Bassey and Kerry Packer, the strict rules are understandable.
If you do get inside, you’ll be rewarded with a gaming salon filled with chandeliers, crushed velvet chairs, intricately designed ceilings and high roller gaming tables. Make sure your bank account is filled to play here.
Casino De Venzia, Italy
The Casino de Venzia is said to be the oldest in the world, opening its doors in 1638. It started its life as a theatre that had a small side room for gambling in the intermissions. Over time, gambling boomed in Venice and the casino became the main activity people came for.
A feature of this building is its setting on the river, allowing gamblers to arrive by boat. The impressive architecture is classically Italian showcasing grand pillars, handrails made of felt ropes and mirrored walls. Once inside, you’ll find the building is immense, filled with gaming tables and rooms for dining and entertainment.
Casino de Spa, Belgium
Enjoy the thrill of a gamble and then head over for a little relaxation in the spa. The Casino de Spa Belgium is the perfect place to have fun and unwind. The building was constructed in 1763, but a devastating fire shut its doors in 1789.
But, like most good things, they don’t stay down for long and the building was restored years later. It’s now a premiere destination for the wealthy, who go to enjoy the cold springs, bustling casino, ballroom, theatre and incredible views from the in-house Brasserie-du-Casino.
Final Thoughts on the Best Mega Casinos in Europe
Now you know the must visit mega casinos not to miss in Europe. Each one offers impressive architecture, outstanding facilities and buzzing casino games. Whether you’re a high roller or a casino cruiser who loves the thrill of the game, a visit to one or all of these mega casinos is a must!