Casinos can be extravagant, exciting and alluring when they offer that perfect combination of luxury, competition and chance.
Ian Fleming helped popularise the experience of visiting a European casino with the first James Bond novel over half a century ago. You can enjoy the same glitz and glamour when you check out these five modern market-leaders.
Ibiza Gran Hotel Casino
While the island of Ibiza may have a reputation for being a destination that young people go to party themselves into oblivion, it’s also a beautiful getaway to explore if you aren’t all that interested in seeing superstar DJs and scantily clad students.
The Gran Hotel is a perfect example of this; a sophisticated place for people to stay if they want sun, sea and a seriously world-class casino experience.
It plays host to the Casino de Ibiza, an absolutely gorgeous venue to drink, dine and put some cash on the line across every type of game imaginable. From slot machines and roulette to poker and blackjack, it has everything you could want from a casino.
Open until 6AM, it might not have the full 24 hour experience offered by Vegas, but it’s the best European equivalent around.
Hotel de Paris & Casino Monte Carlo
You’d expect no less than the height of opulence from any casino and hotel complex that was favoured by big money players from around the globe. The Hotel de Paris doesn’t disappoint, providing a direct link to the nearby casino in which fortunes are wagered on a nightly basis.
Just looking at the incredible exterior of the building itself gives you an idea of what you might hope to encounter inside. But you’ll still be blown away when you walk through the doors and gaze up at the high ceilings, from which chandeliers hang, dripping with crystal and gold leaf.
Of course if the thought of having to splash out on the five star accommodation alone is daunting enough, then perhaps you’d be better off playing casino slots online. You can get a great sign up bonus (click here), so you won’t have to hire a tux and hop on a plane to get in on the action.
The Kurhaus of Baden-Baden
It might have an imposing name that makes it sound like a building designed to house some administrative branch of the government, but this architectural wonder is actually a famous venue that hosts important meetings, classy events and of course a compelling series of casino nights.
Stroll up to the Kurhaus and you’ll notice that its pillar-supported frontispiece has more in common with ancient Greece than it does with German styles. Head inside and thankfully it’s not all togas and laurel wreaths, but golden candelabras laden with bright lights, rich red walls and yet more gold used liberally to pick out the door frames, mirrors, busts and other details.
When you’ve had your fill of the gaming tables and slot machines, you can take advantage of the excellent spa facilities to relax, unwind and perhaps celebrate a big win.
Casino Barrière Enghien-les-Bains
As hinted at by its name, this casino is located in the French capital of Paris, sitting on the edge of a lake close to the heart of the city.
The Casino Barrière Enghien-les-Bains certainly has an impressive location to offer visitors, but it also houses an undeniably luxurious interior, complete with modern bars, classic fine dining restaurants, a comfortably classy hotel and of course the game halls themselves.
Players can get stuck into some roulette, with both English and French varieties represented, as well as having the opportunity to experiment with potentially new experiences offered by Sic Bo, Boule and other games.
The casino claims to offer the broadest array of games available anywhere in France, which should be reason enough to get prospective visitors excited about planning a trip.
Dragonara Casino
The sun-soaked island of Malta is an incredible backdrop for any European holiday, and the Dragonara Casino takes full advantage of this, with an architecturally intriguing building that looks just as good in the daylight as it does when the night arrives.
Hundreds of slot machines fill the various rooms, while there are also table games and a dedicated area for poker which provides stunning views of the Mediterranean that are definitely worth seeing.
The food is also excellent, with The Brasserie serving delectable dishes dreamt up by chef David Mifsud to delight your taste buds.
In short, if you are looking for a luxury casino experience in Europe, you are truly spoilt for choice.
Please gamble responsibly (18+ UK) – check age restrictions before participating
