The History

Construction to build a new quarter of Monaco began in 1858. Prince Charles III had ordered the construction and wished it to be named Monte Carlo. Because gambling had been legalised a few years before, a new casino was part of the Prince's plan. In 1861, in order to make the gaming rooms more successful, Prince Charles III made a proposal to François Blanc. For almost two million francs, Blanc purchased a franchise to operate it. The new game introduced by Blanc was Roulette - and it quickly became the most popular game among the elite gamblers the casino attracted, and with the wealthy decsending upon the Principality it wasn't long before the Monaco banks started to benefit too . When François Blanc passed away, he left his 200 million franc fortune to his son Camille who continued to operate it for nearly sixty five years.

The Style

Admission requires ID such as a passport and 10 Euros. Often the Monaco hotels such as The Metropole offer free entry for their guests. Citizens of the Principality are forbidden to ente, so you might not see many people there who own a Monaco property - iidentification is required for all ages.

Guests under the age of 18 are prohibited. Upon entering the atrium, you are greeted by polished marble floors, 28 onyx columns and gold engraved mahogany. The pure sense of sophistication is unmet anywhere else.

The dress code for the Monte Carlo Casino is anything but casual. Bear in mind that this is one of the most prestigious resorts in the world. Sensible attire is required in the gaming rooms. After 8pm in the private rooms, jacket and tie are required for men. No sport shoes are allowed. No military or religious uniforms, shorts or flip flops are allowed at any time.

The Games

Although online games are a form of competition, they pose no real threat. They simply cannot provide the quality gaming experiences available at a well run casino. For instance, online gambling doesn't offer the ability to read your opponent's poker face. The true gamer enjoys interaction with others at the table - something that doesn’t happen on a computer. Some of the most popular games at the Monte Carlo Casino are roulette, blackjack and poker. Special rooms are available for wealthy tourists who enjoy the added privacy. The list of table games is quite impressive.

The Atrium:

* Open daily from 2 p.m.
* Free admission

European Rooms:

* Admission 10 Euros per person
* Slot Machines open Monday through Friday after 2:00 p.m.
* Trente et Quarante open daily after 12:00 p.m.

Private Rooms:

* Admission 10 Euros per person
* Open after 3:00 p.m. from November to May and Monday through Friday after 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday after 3:00 p.m. from June to October
* Double-sided table at 5:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
* Punto Banco after 10:00 p.m.

The Fame

In 1953, famed author Ian Fleming released his first James Bond novel - the fictional casino in Fleming's book was created in the Monte Carlo style. Similarities between this and the real Monte Carlo one made it the perfect place for the two follow-up Bond movies. Never Say Never Again and GoldenEye required the glamorous backdrop Monaco provides.

And while online casinos have taken the internet world by storm, and many people enjoy computer poker, roulette and blackjack, it's just not as exciting as a real casino.

News

Young Monaco - June 22 2010

An interesting article appeared in the UK recently in The Guardian newspaper, and reflects on how a younger generation is discovering the principality.
To read it click here