Casino ranking

Five historic casinos, scored on their own

European roulette, blackjack, punto banco, boule, poker rooms and slot halls; entry registration, dress codes and exclusion systems. Each casino is scored from five weighted sub-scores. The adjoining hotel plays no part.

019.1Casino score

The white neoclassical colonnade of the Kurhaus in Baden-Baden, home of the casino, seen across a lawn

Baden-Baden, Germany · Baden-Württembergische Spielbanken

Casino Baden-Baden

The most beautiful set of gaming rooms in this guide, run with Germanic precision. Entry is strict (21+, original ID, OASIS check), the dress code is real, and the salons alone justify the evening.

French and American roulette
Blackjack
Poker
Punto banco

Entry: 21, under Baden-Württemberg’s state gambling law (higher than in some other German states); original, valid passport or national id card; photos on a phone are not accepted

Heritage & architecture9.9 · 20%
Game range8.3 · 25%
Table standards & limits8.8 · 20%
Atmosphere & comfort9.5 · 15%
Player protection & transparency9.3 · 20%

Full casino review at Brenners

028.9Casino score

Estoril, Portugal · Estoril Sol

Casino Estoril

The biggest and broadest casino floor in this guide: a full spread of roulette, blackjack and punto banco, an active poker room and an enormous slot hall, all in a 1960s landmark at the head of its gardens.

French and American roulette
Blackjack
Punto banco
Poker room

Entry: 18 for the gaming rooms; mandatory registration with an official document: residents may use citizen card, passport, driving licence and similar; non-residents need official id showing name, age, photograph, signature and country of residence

Heritage & architecture8.7 · 20%
Game range9.4 · 25%
Table standards & limits8.9 · 20%
Atmosphere & comfort8.4 · 15%
Player protection & transparency8.8 · 20%

Full casino review at Palácio Estoril

038.7Casino score

Deauville, France · Groupe Barrière

Casino Barrière Deauville

A palatial 1912 casino that has adapted well to modern play: grand rooms, a big slot offer, electronic roulette and English roulette, blackjack and ultimate poker, with firm ID checks and good responsible-gambling tools.

English roulette
Blackjack
Ultimate poker
Wheel of fortune

Entry: 18; a valid physical id document (passport or national id card) presented at the entrance to the gaming areas

Heritage & architecture9.0 · 20%
Game range8.6 · 25%
Table standards & limits8.2 · 20%
Atmosphere & comfort8.8 · 15%
Player protection & transparency9.0 · 20%

Full casino review at Le Normandy

048.5Casino score

Velden am Wörthersee, Austria · Casinos Austria

Casino Velden

A modern lakeside casino with a strong poker identity: home of the Casinos Austria European Poker Championship, with roulette, blackjack, house-banked poker and a slot area. Entry is free but personalised, and player-protection tools are excellent.

French and American roulette
Blackjack
Poker
Ultimate Texas Hold’em and Sic Bo

Entry: 18; valid official photo id or passport, and a personalised player card issued at reception

Heritage & architecture7.6 · 20%
Game range8.5 · 25%
Table standards & limits8.6 · 20%
Atmosphere & comfort8.7 · 15%
Player protection & transparency9.1 · 20%

Full casino review at Schlosshotel Velden

058.2Casino score

The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, which houses the casino, seen from the water with the hills behind

Cannes, France · Groupe Barrière

Casino Barrière Cannes Croisette

A modern, high-energy casino inside the Palais des Festivals: large slot and electronic sections, English roulette, blackjack, Texas Hold’em and ultimate poker, and a reputation as an early adopter of electronic table games in France.

English roulette
Blackjack
Texas Hold’em poker
Ultimate poker

Entry: 18; valid physical id (passport or national id card) presented at the entrance to the gaming areas

Heritage & architecture7.2 · 20%
Game range8.8 · 25%
Table standards & limits8.0 · 20%
Atmosphere & comfort7.8 · 15%
Player protection & transparency8.9 · 20%

Full casino review at Le Majestic

How to read these scores

A higher casino score means a better-run, better-looking and better-protected place to play, not better odds. The house edge on each game is set by its rules, and is the same whichever casino you choose. Read our method for the weights, and our casino guides for the maths behind the tables.

Play is a cost, not a plan

Every casino game in this guide has a built-in house edge, and no system changes it. Decide a budget and a finishing time before you enter, bring your ID, and walk away when either runs out. If gambling stops feeling like a choice, contact Gambling Therapy, BeGambleAware or, in France, Joueurs Info Service on 09 74 75 13 13.

Help & exclusion schemes