Editorial

Monday, 23 March 2009 22:54

Casinos are certainly amazing places to spend some time to experience the atmosphere and excitement that radiates from the clients, the table games and slots and the whole living, breathing dynamic of such an establishment. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler, novice or just a sightseer, there’s no getting away from the fact that a visit to a big casino is an exhilarating experience.

When the word casino is mentioned, it more often than not conjures up an image of one of those lavish edifices which occupy the Las Vegas strip. But Las Vegas is not the only place where you’ll find casinos. They can be found in many major cities around the world but none come with such a high pedigree as the long established, high class and magnificently grand casinos of Monte Carlo. Here we’ll take a look at one of the gambling world’s foremost locations which has inspired bestselling books, blockbuster movies and attracts the rich, well heeled and famous from all corners of the globe to partake in its affluent and luxurious character as well as its prosperity.

Records show that the port of Monaco itself has been in existence since the time of Julius Caesar as far back as 43 BC. The area subsequently became a part of the sovereignty of Genoa in the 12th century. In 1295 the rock was retrieved by the Grimaldis, although there was much conflict and opposition to its territory over the centuries. In 1524 Monaco was granted full autonomy, although there were several periods throughout its history where it was taken over by Spain, France and Sardinia.

The history of the Monaco town of Monte Carlo dates back to 1866 when it was founded by the reigning monarch, Charles III of Monaco. Charles, who the town is named after, was also responsible for transforming its fortunes into an affluent magnet for gambling tourists by building a German style casino. This became “le casino de Monte Carlo” or the Monte Carlo Casino as it is known the world over. The architect in charge of the building was Frenchman Charles Garnier, who was responsible for the beautiful design of the Paris Opera. The budget for the building was a lavish as any in the world with the intent of creating a symbol of beauty, power and opulence.

At first, business was slow due to the difficulty of access from the rest of Europe, but with the completion of the railway in 1868, the swift growth of tourism that followed secured the financial stability and prosperity of both the casino and the town.

Today, the jewel in Monaco’s crown is a magnet for all kinds of high profile events, from the Monte Carlo Masters, the World Backgammon Championship, fashion shows, charity fundraisers, endless celebrity and high society events to the prestigious Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix where drivers race through the streets on the famous Circuit de Monaco. Monaco is one of the richest and therefore most expensive regions in Europe, so prospective visitors should be aware of this before setting out. This is certainly not the place for a budget holiday!

The region’s casinos have been heavily glamorized by portrayals in several high calibre films, as well as television series and also in magazines and periodicals that are published in countries from every part of the world. Most notably is Ian Fleming’s James Bond, the fictional, debonair MI6 agent who is portrayed in the book which was first published in 1953 and the twice made film “Casino Royale”. The film, based around Monte Carlo’s Belle Epoque Casino was originally released in 1967 and the remake in 2006. In fact, the Monte Carlo Casino, which hosts the grand final of the European Poker Tour, happens to be one of Monaco’s greatest tourist attractions. The casino complex also contains the equally famous ballet and opera venue, the Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo. There is a strange law that prohibits citizens of Monaco from entering the gaming rooms of the casino, meaning that only foreigners are able to legally gamble within its walls.

Monte Carlo is also host to the annual gathering of the world’s top poker players as they compete for the Monte Carlo Millions, the most prestigious and exclusive of all poker tournaments on the calendar. The competition has only been in existence since 2004, but it has already gained its reputation as probably the most highly coveted prizes in professional poker with a top prize of $1 million.  

Monte Carlo itself is one of Monaco’s four regions that the sovereign principality is divided into. The national economy of Monaco is mainly based around banking, financial services and high tech industry. Gambling and tourism, contrary to the popular notion, only makes up around 15% of the total revenue generated by the principality.