5 Cities in Europe Famous for Gambling

Posted by admin in Europe Travel Guides, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom      Comments Off

Feb
22

Europe is rich in history, entertainment and natural attractions, and while these three reasons are the ones that draw most visitors to the old continent, there are those who travel to play with money as well- sure, with some tourism on the side. Is there something in Europe for gamblers? You bet. Let’s tale a look at the top cities in Europe for gamblers.

Monte Carlo photo @Flickr by HerryLawford

Monte Carlo

The principality of Monaco on the French Riviera is one of the world’s most glamorous destinations and the casino at Monte Carlo is a famous place in which to gamble.The casino at Monte Carlo first opened in 1886 and is still owned by a public company in which ruling royal family holds a majority stake. It is home to some of the world’s most prestigious gambling tournaments such as the World Backgammon Championship and the European Poker Tour Grand Final with its two million dollars in prize money. You can also play roulette, Blackjack, Trente et Quarante and Baccarat at the casino in Monte Carlo.

Baden Baden

Although it is best known for its health spas – hence the name which translates as “Baths” – almost as many people visit the city of Baden Baden in south west Germany to gamble as they do to take the waters.The Kurhaus casino in Baden Baden opened in 1824 and is renowned for its architectural features which include Corinthian columns and a frieze of griffins over the entrance. The Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrote his novella The Gambler after playing roulette in the Kurhaus and the actress Marlene Dietrich called it “the most beautiful casino in the world.”

Venice

The canalled city of Venice has had many other names in its long history – the Most Serene Republic, Queen of the Adriatic, City of Bridges, The Floating City – but it can also rightly lay claim to being the birthplace of the modern casino with the first gambling house, Il Ridotto, opening here in 1638.The Casino di Venezia operates at three locations in Venice: Ca’Vendramin Calergi, a fifteenth century palace on the Grand Canal that was once home to the ruling Doge, Ca’Noghera, a modern casino near Marco Polo International Airport, and the Lido, Venice’s famous beach island.

San Remo

Another Italian city famous for gambling is San Remo, a holiday resort on the Italian Riviera just twenty five miles along the Mediterranean coastline from Monte Carlo. The Casino Municipale di San Remo opened in 1905 and soon rivalled those of Monte Carlo and Venice for glamour and prestige.The thirty eight tables of the San Remo casino are split into three rooms – La Sala Gio Ponti, La Sala Sanctis and La Sala Dorata – and offer gamblers both French and American roulette, Blackjack, poker and Baccarat. In La Sala Dorata, you can also play on private tables with a $500 limit.

London

London is a major destination for gambling, especially with tourists from the Middle East and Asia, and the Hippodrome Casino in the glittering West End. Before getting here, you might want to practice you games at online gambling, with sites like www.bellerockentertainment.com providing a review of most online casinos in the UK. But let’s get to the real world. Built in 1900, the Hippodrome is on the corner of Leicester Square and Charing Cross Road and over its history has seen performances by Hollywood stars such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Sammy Davis Junior. It is open twenty four hours a day with thirty gambling tables spread across its three floors offering Baccarat, Blackjack, poker and roulette.