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5 Iconic European Casinos That Are Worth the Trip

From Monaco to Madrid, These European Casinos Redefine Luxury

Jamie Johnson Jamie Johnson
- 4 min read
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Casino de Monte-Carlo | Robert Harding Premium / robertharding via AFP

Arrivederci, Vegas 👋🍸

Europe is calling, and you must answer. In the latest casino news, we’re ditching the Vegas Strip and Macao mega-malls for something a little more sexy. Think velvet, vintage chandeliers, and whispered secrets in French. Say au revoir to the New World—today, we’re taking our money to The Old World, where history and hedonism shake hands over a stiff martini.

Whether you’re ready to play for real money or just feel like dressing up and pretending you’re in a Bond film, these five European casinos are absolutely worth the passport stamp. Just don’t forget to check the gambling regulations before you whip out your euros. Each country has its own set of rules, and no one wants to get kicked out by a pit boss speaking a language you only half know.

Monte-Carlo Casino in Monaco

If you make a list of Europe’s best casinos without this one, you should be banned from the internet. This is the blueprint. The moment. The OG. It’s giving elegance, drama, and old money in a very Lana Del Rey way.

 

You’ll find Belle Époque glamour, legendary gaming rooms, and at least three people wearing cufflinks that cost more than your car. Sugar babies, this is where you post up—this isn’t the Golden Nugget. Not a gambler? Still worth going. A morning tour of the Atrium, Café de la Rotonde, and boutique is elite-level sightseeing. But if you are going to play, bring a suit. And if you own cargo shorts, just… don’t.

Casinò di Venezia in Italy

Any excuse to go to Italy is a good one. But this one might be the best. The Casinò di Venezia is the oldest casino in the world (we love a relic), operating since 1638. It’s housed in a Gothic palace that casually sits along the Grand Canal, like some real-life fantasy.


And listen, while The Venetian in Vegas is trying her best, there’s just no comparison. A gondola ride on the Strip is cute. A gondola ride to your literal casino entrance in Venice? That’s the kind of rich aunt energy we’re chasing.

Casino Baden-Baden in Germany

We love a relic. Germany’s oldest casino was built in 1748 and gives Versailles energy with just enough German efficiency to keep it classy, not tacky. Gold leaf, red velvet, and that haunting feeling like the ghost of Dostoyevsky is watching you from a distance.

You can take a tour if gambling’s not your thing, but if it is? This is one of the most elegant places in Europe to test your luck. Also: don’t be that person checking their phone at the roulette table. You will get stared at. And you will deserve it.

Casino de Madrid in Spain

Okay, so technically it’s not a casino anymore. However, the vibes are still undoubtedly giving casino royalty. Built in 1836 and draped in Art Nouveau fantasy, the Casino de Madrid is now a private club—aka a fancy and exclusive way to get wild.

You can’t gamble here anymore (legally), but you can sip wine, climb velvet staircases, and pretend you’re in a Pedro Almodóvar movie. Sometimes that’s better than blowing 500 euros at a blackjack table, anyway.

Palms Royale Casino in Sofia, Bulgaria

Let’s talk Bulgaria. The country that gave us the Bulgarian split squat (ow) also came through with one of Europe’s sleekest casino scenes. Palms Royale sits inside the shiny Millennium Center in Sofia and feels like a high-end private club that accidentally lets regular people in.

With over 40 gaming tables, a VIP poker lounge, and a rooftop for members only, this place does not play. It’s modern, it’s flashy, and it has just the right amount of “I might blow my whole paycheck but look good doing it” energy. They host tournaments all the time, so whether you’re actually good or just unreasonably confident? You’ve got a shot.

So, what we’ve learned today is that Europe doesn’t play when it comes to gambling. Whether you want palatial grandeur, contemporary glam, or that very specific aesthetic of being haunted by aristocrats while sipping champagne, these casinos deliver.

And if you’re not quite ready to drop $1,200 on a flight to Monaco, don’t worry. You can always make a martini, throw on your Sunday’s best, and log into your favorite online casino from home. Or wear sweats and shotgun a Liquid Death on your couch. We’re not here to judge.

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