Europe is home to some of the world’s most glamorous and historic casinos. But deciding exactly which Casino in Europe is right for you can be tricky. To make things a bit easier, we created a list of the best casinos in Europe, featuring the continent’s most enticing places to roll the dice or spin the wheel. We looked at casino offerings, lodging, dining, and other special features, all in the name of helping you choose the best casino in Europe to fit your individual needs.
Our list features casinos for every budget and style. From the high-stakes and opulence of Monte Carlo, to the modern, laid-back atmosphere of Resorts World in the UK, there’s something on our list for every type of traveler.
10. Olympic Park Casino: A taste of Vegas in the Baltics
Opening in 2016 as the flagship property in the Olympic Entertainment Group, Olympic Park Casino in Tallinn, Estonia is a cutting-edge casino resort that’s home to a 17,000 sq ft casino. Visitors to Olympic Park can try their luck at the casino’s 95 slot machines and 18 games. A poker room and sportsbook are also available.Â
The casino is part of the Hilton Tallinn Park hotel, so guests don’t have to venture out to find a place to spend the night. The posh accommodations offer guests the chance to dine at The Able Butcher restaurant or relax at Eforea Spa. Those looking for a Las Vegas-like experience will enjoy the surrounding district in Tallinn.Â
9. Casino d’Enghien-les-Bains: France’s most popular casino
Situated on a shimmering lakeshore, this is the only casino in France’s wealthy ĂŽle-de-France region. It sits just a few miles from the famed Eiffel Tower and Champs-ÉlysĂ©es. The casino offers 150,000 sq ft of gaming space with over 500 slot machines and 43 gaming tables. The gaming tables, which include roulette, blackjack, poker, baccarat, are separated into two rooms. One room, intended for casual players, is filled with bright light and has a relaxed atmosphere. The other room is intended for high-rollers and is decorated in a more traditional, lavish manner.Â
Opening in 1901, the casino has been updated many times over the years and now features a theater, a restaurant, two bars, and an on-site hotel. The upscale hotel promises a refined experience with its spectacular views, swimming pool, and spa. Like many casinos in North America, the Casino Barrière offers a players club so gamblers can earn rewards based on their play.
8. Empire Casino: Gambling in the heart of London
The largest casino in London is located just one mile from the world-famous Westminster Abbey, the site of Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding. The casino has hosted some of Europe’s biggest poker tournaments, including the first-ever World Series of Poker Europe in 2008. The casino also lets players choose from 127 slot machines and 50 table games spread across its 55,000 sq ft floor. High-stakes players will be comfortable in the exclusive Dragon Lounge club.Â
Empire’s location in central London means hotel options are plentiful, but can run a bit on the expensive side. Dining choices include a sports bar, an outdoor balcony bar, and tableside service. The casino shares its space with Empire Leicester Square cinema. If you’re lucky, you just might just spot a few celebrities walking the red carpet.Â
7. Casinò di Venezia: The world’s oldest casino
Long before Las Vegas’s mega-sized Venetian resort came Casinò di Venezia, the world’s oldest casino. Opening in 1638, the casino is housed in a 15th-century palace featuring breathtaking Renaissance architecture. Gaming offerings include a large number of table games, with a more limited selection of slot machines and electronic games. Poker players will be disappointed at the absence of poker tables in the casino.Â
Casinò di Venezia sits directly on Venice’s Grand Canal, meaning guests arriving at the casino’s front entrance can only do so by boat. Although the casino offers its own restaurant, we think venturing out to explore Venice’s culinary treats is also a good idea. The casino does not have its own hotel, but reasonably priced accommodations are available throughout Venice.Â
6. Dragonara Casino: On the banks of the Mediterranean
This entry in our list of the best casinos in Europe is located on the island that’s home to the headquarters of many online casinos. Players can enjoy Dragonara’s 300 slot machines, 15 table games, and a poker room overlooking picturesque St. George’s Bay. There’s also a VIP lounge for high-rollers and a sports lounge for wagering on the action.Â
A $12 million renovation in 2016 helped Dragonara join the ranks among the most prestigious casinos on the Mediterranean. Hungry gamblers can choose from two restaurants and a lounge offering a variety of food choices. Housed in an 1870 palace built as the summer home of Malta’s Scicluna family, Dragonara Casino sits conveniently adjacent to The Westin Dragonara Resort.Â
5. Casino Baden-Baden: Historic opulence in Germany’s Black Forest
There are very few places where you can enjoy some of the world’s best hiking trails during the day, and then spend the evening donning a tuxedo at the roulette wheel. Germany’s casino Baden-Baden is one of those places. The casino affords guests access to 150 slot machines, along with table games including roulette, poker, and blackjack.Â
Once a getaway for the rich and powerful, Casino Baden-Baden was immortalized in Dostoevsky’s novel The Gambler. The town of Baden-Baden is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the Great Spa Towns of Europe. As a spa town, there are many other activities for tourists in the area. Golf, tennis, and horse racing are all popular. The town’s FabergĂ© museum is another can’t miss stop.Â
4. Resorts World: The UK’s entertainment destination
Resorts World Birmingham is more than a casino, it’s an entire entertainment complex. The casino’s 59,180 sq ft of gaming space is jam-packed with over 100 slot machines and 31 table games. Games include roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. Two luxurious Salon Priveés provide refuge for high-stakes gamblers seeking a bit of privacy. There’s also a poker room nearby.
Resorts World offers guests much more than casino gaming. The 538,000 sq ft entertainment complex sports 14 restaurants and bars, 50 outlet stores, and an 11 screen movie theater featuring an IMAX screen with 282 seats. The accompanying Genting Hotel boasts 182 rooms and six luxury suites so guests can continue playing late into the night.Â
3. King’s Resort: A poker player’s paradise
We’re big fans of King’s Resort in Rozvadov, Czech Republic — just across the German border. Flaunting the largest poker room in Europe, King’s is a mecca for grinders from all over the continent. Its 160 poker tables host daily tournaments; this European hotspot also includes regular table games such as blackjack, craps, roulette, and more. Over 300 slot machines help fill the casino’s 64,584 sq ft of floor space. The Finnish sauna, steam bath, and pool give guests a chance to decompress before a night in the casino.Â
Our favorite thing about King’s is the incredible value its hotel offers. Nightly rates start at a shockingly low $24. Sure, this is for a basic double room, but if you’re on a budget this deal is hard to beat. Of course, King’s offers rooms ranging from basic to lavish; so you can get a bit more luxury if you’re willing to pay for it.Â
2. Casino Estoril: The largest casino in Europe
Just a short trip outside of Lisbon on the Portuguese Riviera, you’ll find Casino Estoril with its more than 1,000 slot machines alongside numerous tables dedicated to roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and the Portuguese favorite Banca Francesa. It’s here that naval intelligence officer Ian Fleming drew inspiration for his first novel, Casino Royale, which featured the first appearance of James Bond.Â
Unique to Casino Estoril is its art gallery featuring paintings and sculptures on permanent exhibit. Concerts are held at the 1,000 seat SalĂŁo Preto e Prata. At night, the casino glows with neon lighting as it becomes a hotspot for party-goers. Guests can stay at a number of nearby hotels, including the famous Palacio Estoril.Â
1. Casino de Monte Carlo: James Bond’s favorite playground
It’s impossible to create a list of the best casinos in Europe without including the iconic Casino de Monte Carlo and its most famous patron: Bond, James Bond. Monte Carlo’s gambling headquarters was featured in both 1983’s Never Say Never Again and 1995’s Goldeneye. Play begins at noon each day in the 108,000 sq ft gaming space spread across seven unique salons. Gamblers can press their luck at roulette, blackjack, craps, baccarat, and the French classic Trente et Quarante. There are seven restaurants on-site, including the 3 Michelin-star Le Louis XV. Although it’s located a stone’s throw from the ritzy 47-room Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, rooms there start at over $700 per night — out of the budget for most travelers. To save some cash for the tables, we recommend looking for an Airbnb or hotel farther away from the casino.
What is the best casino in Europe for you?
Even though we’ve provided lots of useful information above, we understand it can still be tough to choose from our list. To make things even easier, we decided to put together this handy table to help you choose based on your character type and what you’re looking for in and around a casino. Some people might be looking for a relaxing time with their friends and families, while others might want to go all out for a luxurious night at the tables.Â
If you find that more than one of our best casinos in Europe sounds appealing, you’re not alone. We recommend you make a shortlist of the casinos that you find most interesting and that fit your budget. Then you can compare them more closely using other resources, such as online travel review sites.
Character type | Best casino in Europe | Reason |
---|---|---|
Entertainment seekers | Resorts World | Home to an IMAX theater and family arcade |
Bigger is better | Casino Estoril | Europe’s largest casino |
Secret agents in training | Casino de Monte Carlo | James Bond’s favorite casino, featured in Never Say Never Again and GoldenEye |
Anglophiles | Empire Casino | Located in central London not far from Westminster Abbey |
Poker players | King’s Resort | Europe’s largest poker room and a destination for poker fanatics |
Romantics | Casino d’Enghien-les-Bains | Situated just outside of Paris, the City of Love |
Fancy pants | Casino Baden-Baden | Patrons are required to dress up, jackets and ties for men |
Vegas fanatics | Olympic Park Casino | Tallinn’s casino area is inspired by the Las Vegas strip |
Ocean lovers | Dragonara Casino | Malta’s top casino is on the shores of the Mediterranean |
Architecture aficionados | Casinò di Venezia | Venice is home to some of the world’s most beautiful buildings |
How we rated these casinos
Whether you’re planning your first trip to one of our best casinos in Europe or you’re a seasoned gambler, it’s important to choose the right destination. Those on a budget have to be even more conscious of where and how they spend their money.Â
In order to help you choose a European casino, we selected a number of criteria to determine our top list and used that data to help you have a great time in Europe. You can read more about our criteria below to better understand our recommendations. If you’re not ready to visit an in-person casino, feel free to check out our no deposit online casino bonuses.Â
Our top tips for finding the best casino in Europe
So how do you know you’re choosing the best casino destination for you? Truthfully, you may need to consider factors not mentioned in our list. Although we consider ourselves experts in the gambling industry, everyone’s specific circumstances are different. In order to help you fill in the blanks, we’ve come up with a few useful tips.Â
Sign up for casino bonus programs
Many casinos will offer a loyalty or bonus program. When you arrive at the casino, head to the info or player’s desk to sign up. You’ll receive a card which you should insert into any electronic games you play, or hand to any dealer when sitting at a table. As you gamble, you’ll accumulate points that can be used for discounts on dining and hotel rooms. Similar to online casino bonuses, some destinations even offer freeplay to new players.
Consider your travel options
Long flights are often taxing and expensive. Factor in time to recharge and get your bearings before gambling. This way you’ll know you’re making smart decisions and not wagering recklessly. If you’re a first-time gambler, look for a destination close to home to be sure you like gambling in a casino before spending a substantial amount on a vacation.Â
Research the games you want to play
Table games players should know the rules and strategies of any game before deciding to play. One way to try a game before going to a casino is by trying live casino games online. If you’re interested in trying a game before going to the casino, you can check out our rankings of live online casinos.
Make sure lodging is available if you need it
Unlike most casinos in North America, many casinos in Europe do not have their own hotel. Before deciding to travel a long distance to one of these destinations, you should make sure there is convenient lodging available that fits your style and your budget.Â
FAQs
What is the best casino in Europe?
We’ve selected Casino de Monte Carlo on the French Riviera as our number one pick. It’s a historically significant casino located in one of the world’s most glamorous locations.Â
How do you find out what is the best casino in Europe?
It’s important to do your research. Time2play is an excellent resource to help you make your decision, but we’re not the only place you should look. Read about how we rate, but also do some research of your own. Ask friends and family where they travel and check other sites you trust. It can also be useful to monitor changes in European gambling when compared to US gambling statistics.Â
What are some vacation gambling tips?
Above all, we think it’s important to set a gambling budget and stick to it. If you set your budget before your trip, you can travel knowing the minimum you’ll be left with when you return. Of course, coming home a winner is nice, but no one can guarantee that will be the case. Have a peek at our top tips so you can get the most out of your vacation.