Largest Land Based Casinos in Europe
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When you’re talking about the biggest land-based casinos in the world, it is Las Vegas and Macau that hold most of the cards. The growth of Macau into the foremost revenue-generating gambling locale in the world has seen it wrest the initiative from Las Vegas in terms of its number of super casinos, with many of the most impressive casinos ever built, constructed there over the last 10 years.
The Venetian, Macau is now vaunted as the largest with a staggering 546,000 square feet in area, 3,000 gaming machines, 870 table and poker games, 24 bars and 3,000 hotel rooms.
That’s a highly impressive resume that no casino in the world – Las Vegas or elsewhere – can match. The American and Chinese venues certainly hold sway in terms of the scale of their super casinos, but Europe has a number of much celebrated casinos as well and this article will run through some of those, taking a close look at the candidates vying for the title of Europe’s biggest casino.
The Grosvenor Victoria, London
Popularly known by its patrons as “The Vic,” this casino is the stomping ground for many of the UK’s finest players, its 24 hour cash games constantly filled with a host of recognizable faces.
Located in the heart of the bustling Edgware Road area of London, The Vic can boast two floors of table games, its own dedicated restaurant, several bars and a spacious poker area that can seat up to 250 players.
Despite its impressive credentials however, The Vic is far from the biggest casino in Europe, not surprising perhaps, given that space is at such a premium in England’s crowded capital.
Casino de Monte Carlo
Situated in the principality of Monaco, there could scarcely be a more glamorous location for a casino than nestled up against the sunny Monte Carlo bay, with its array of giant luxury yachts, owned by the populace’s myriad millionaires. The famous French architect, Jean-Louis Garnier designed the casino building itself in the style of the Renaissance artisans and it remains a stunning work – oft cited as his finest creation.
This perhaps explains why Monte Carlo has become the “go-to” backdrop for authors looking to invest their work with a sense of glamour and style, with James Bond making regular visits in the films “Never Say Never Again,” and “GoldenEye.”
Inside, the Casino de Monte Carlo offers a wide spread of table games, as well as over 1000 slot machines – the casino’s website making the claim that “this collection offers the widest choice of games and betting possibilities throughout Europe.”
Despite its decadent setting and impressive architecture however, The Casino de Monte Carlo is not the biggest in Europe. Our search continues…
Hotel Casino Perla, Slovenia
The Hotel Casino Perla in Slovenia is one of the biggest in Europe with 49 table games, and 850 Slot Machines, as well as an expansive gaming floor. Though not the biggest, it is worth mentioning as an example of the growth of gambling establishments in Eastern Europe. Over recent years, the Russian federation and other Eastern European countries such as Slovenia have seen many casinos such as this spring up, the Russian Federation itself now home to over 180 casinos.
Some analysts have claimed that Russia is headed toward Macau-like status in the gambling world, with its laws seemingly becoming increasingly sympathetic to gambling, whilst its all-cash culture works symbiotically with the gambling world.
Depending which political direction the Russian government moves in, we may see Eastern Europe develop into a major gambling haven over the next few years.
The Biggest Casino In Europe
To discover the identity of the largest casino in Europe, we have to travel to Portugal.
Amazingly, quite likely the two biggest casinos in Europe are found within 35km of each other, in Lisbon. These are the Casino Lisboa, and the slightly older Casino Estoril.
Lisboa can boast 165,000 square feet, 1,000 gaming machines, 26 table and poker games, 7 restaurant and bars and 1,000 hotel rooms. Built at a cost of 108 million euros, this incredible structure contains a vast gaming area and is one of Lisbon’s major landmarks. The major stakeholder in Estoril-Sol, the company who built Casino Lisboa, is Stanley Ho and he has built a second Lisboa in Macau.
However in terms of gaming floorspace (over 165,000 square feet), gaming machines (1000+) and other facilities, the Casino Estoril pips its neighbouring Portuguese casino to the post.
Hosting bars, restaurants, nightclubs, cinemas, shows, lounge bars, multimedia screens and even an art gallery to name but some of its slew of attractions, the Casino Estoril blows away its competition for sheer variety, size and grandeur.
So there you have it, the biggest casino in Europe is the Casino Estoril in Portugal.
Written by: Rodd Stirzaker