The Architectural Marvels of Historical Casino Buildings

Architecture is a rare field in that it combines both art in the beautiful visual designs, as well as science in its engineering aspect to produce safe and somewhat practical construction. It is arguably one of the most interesting art forms to study, due to the sheer scale of the projects and the vast variety of architectural marvels you can find all around the world. The architecture in Kyoto, Japan, for example is immensely different from the one that lines the streets of central Paris, France. 

Many countries and cities find that visiting tourists usually have some significant pieces of architecture on their list to visit while on their vacation. This pull towards beautiful buildings intensifies when you throw an interesting backstory or exciting use for the building in the mix.

Casino buildings often have an illustrious and thrilling history influenced by the country and eras attitudes towards gambling and usually alcohol consumption too. Due to this, there are a huge mix of massively impressive buildings that had gambling profits poured into them, and smaller 'thrown together' establishments that supported casino activities in historical periods of low regulations. 

The Living Legacy of Historical Casino Buildings

Casinos are famously fun establishments for their combination of games with the exciting chances of big rewards, often serving alcohol and with guests dressed to the nines. They are just as popular today as they have been throughout history, even more perhaps, with the development of exciting online casino games, where you can play all the classics, such as roulette, poker, baccarat, and more, ultimately, dabbling into the immersive world of gambling.

Truly, the digital adaptations of the historical gambling culture carry forward the legacy of historical casino buildings, yet, with a more interesting twist. Modern-day gambling platforms have democratized all gambling-related activities, as they became accessible to everyone – regardless of their demographics or location.

Put simply, while historical venues represent the early stages of gambling, contemporary casino platforms continue to follow their path – with some even integrating themes, inspired by old gambling elements, recreating the ambiance and culture that you'd encounter in traditional casinos. 

While in the past, gambling was only exclusive to specific physical locations, it was limited to those who could afford to visit these establishments. However, with the help of online casinos, the industry has been entirely revolutionized, making it more inclusive and accessible to the global audience. 

With that said, a lot of the grander casino buildings still stand today and are really worth a visit both for the stunning visuals and the history behind it. Here are a few of our favourites that should definitely be on your list to see on your next vacation:

Casino Royale

Location: Romania

Year built: 1910

Architectural style: Art Nouveau

My personal favorite, and that's why I'm listing it first, is this iconic landmark on the Black Sea shore. They erected the building in 1910. A Swiss-Romanian architect designed it to serve as a club for upper-class socialites. Sadly the beautiful building was only used for less than 40 years due to the ensuing conflict of the World War's that plagued Europe for decades after.

Despite this, its history is still rich. The building survived bombings and was used as a wartime hospital. Later on, the casino became a house of culture for the country's communist party. Unfortunately, it stands derelict today, left to rot, but local people and the government are actively working to rectify this situation.

Casino de Monte-Carlo

Location: Monaco

Year built: 1866

Architectural style: Belle Époque

This one is a bit of a no-brainer, as one of the most iconic casinos in the world, the Casino de Monte-Carlo is a stunning example of Belle Époque architecture. Known for its ornate facade, lavish interiors, and opulent gambling rooms, you will probably recognise it as the building has been featured in numerous films and television shows, including Ocean's Eleven and Casino Royale.

Casino Estoril

Location: Portugal

Year built: 1916

Architectural style: Art Deco

The Casino Estoril is yet another iconic casino with a rich history. Built in 1916, it was one of the very few casinos in Europe that remained open during World War II, making it a popular destination for spies and other incredibly interesting figures, including Ian Fleming, who is said to have based the character of James Bond on some of the people he met at the casino, along with his now famous cousin, the deceased Christopher Lee.

Casino di Venezia

Location: Italy

Year built: 1638

Architectural style: Venetian Baroque

Famous for being the oldest casino in the world, Casino di Venezia's architecture mirrors its long and storied history. Perhaps one of the most interesting in terms of location, the casino occupies a former palace. Its interior boasts ornate frescoes, gilding, and crystal chandeliers, beautifully reflecting the historical grandeur. The casino is also home to the very extravagant world-famous Grand Canal, where visitors can relax on a gondola ride through the casino.

Casino Baden-Baden

Location: Germany

Year built: 1824

Architectural style: Neoclassical

Casino Baden-Baden is one of the most infamous luxurious casinos in Europe. Known architecturally for its elegant ballrooms, opulent dining rooms, along with its world-class gaming facilities, it is up there for being a popular destination for royalty and celebrities for centuries and centuries. 

Casino de la Vallée  

Location: Belgium

Year built: 1763

Architectural style: Rococo

Casino de la Vallée is definitely one of the most beautiful casino buildings in the world. Nestled in a former spa town, its architecture reflects its elegant and sophisticated atmosphere, especially with its luxurious lush gardens and fountains.

The Breakers

Location: Newport Beach, California

Year built: 1906

Architectural style: Beaux-Arts

People often visit The Breakers for its grand facade, beautifully designed interiors, impeccable gardens, and stunning example of Beaux-Arts architecture. Industrialist Cornelius Vanderbilt II originally constructed it as a private residence, and later, it underwent conversion into a hotel and casino. Now, it stands as one of the most popular luxury resorts in all of Southern California.

The Plaza

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Year built: 1966

Architectural style: Neon Art Deco

The Plaza is one of the oldest and most iconic casinos in Las Vegas, and is paired with an equally iconic building, known for its iconic neon sign, which is now one of the most photographed landmarks in the city. The Fremont Street Experience, a pedestrian mall covered by a giant LED canopy, also resides at The Plaza.

Also read The Chicago Cultural Center: A Jewel in the Windy City's Crown

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