Long before neon skylines and sprawling resorts shaped the modern idea of gambling, early casino halls were already thriving social hubs across Europe, reflecting their vital role in cultural life and community bonding.
The oldest known casino still standing is the Casinò di Venezia in Italy, founded in 1638 along Venice’s famous canals. What began as Il Ridotto di San Moisè, a government-sanctioned gaming room, eventually transformed into the grand Ca’ Vendramin Calergi palace, where the casino operates today. This building once housed European nobility and later became a haunt of composer Richard Wagner. Its Renaissance design, paired with modern table games and electronic options, makes it a remarkable blend of historic charm and contemporary gaming.
Belgium’s Casino de Spa followed more than a century later, in 1763. Originally part of a fashionable thermal spa complex, it drew aristocrats who came for health, leisure, and lively card play. Although it suffered heavy damage during the First World War, the structure was rebuilt in 1918 and restored again in the 1980s. Today, it presents the full range of modern amenities one expects from a European casino. It even offers all the very best slots games, in addition to the traditional tables that have long defined its reputation.
Germany is home to two historic gaming houses, each with its own story. Casino Wiesbaden dates to 1771, established under the authority of the Duke of Nassau Usingen. Its elegant façade, reminiscent of a palace rather than a gambling venue, attracted famous visitors, including the writer Fyodor Dostoevsky, who is said to have drawn inspiration for his novel The Gambler from his time there. Meanwhile, Kurhaus Baden Baden, opened in 1824, became famous not only for gaming but also for its neoclassical architecture and its role as a cultural gathering point. Visitors could play roulette or poker before attending literary readings, cabaret shows, or fashionable dances.
Further south in Switzerland, Casino Interlaken opened in 1859 in one of the most scenic regions of the Alps. Its early years were hindered by shifting laws that repeatedly banned and reinstated gambling. The building closed several times before finally receiving a modern licence in 2002. Today, the casino is known for its picturesque mountain backdrop and a mix of electronic and traditional games.
Not far behind in age is the Casino de Monte Carlo, which opened in 1863 after Princess Caroline of Monaco proposed a gaming house to rescue the principality from financial despair. The result was one of the most famous casinos in the world, set in ornate grounds and frequented by aristocrats, celebrities, and film crews. Its success transformed Monaco’s economy and helped solidify the glamorous image the region still enjoys.
Together, these early casinos reveal how gambling venues evolved architecturally and culturally, standing as enduring symbols of social change and entertainment history.