Has Monte Carlo Lost Its Luster in the Gambling World?

Monte Carlo is the world’s most lavish casino destination. It features the poshest resorts and high-stakes gambling rooms anywhere.

It also lays claim to a history that includes numerous celebrity visits. You can’t get any fancier than this Monaco-based district when looking to gamble.

However, Monte Carlo no longer draws the same attention that it once did in the mid-1950s and beforehand. It’s still quite popular, but it now shares the spotlight with various other gambling destinations.

That said, has Monte Carlo lost some of its luster? I’ll answer this question by diving into this area’s history along with if it’s still a highly popular casino spot.

The Luxurious Beginnings of Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo was one of the earliest places to legalize gambling. It did so out of necessity when considering that Monaco’s royal family was in danger of going broke.

Monaco’s Princess Caroline proposed the idea of legal gambling to save the family’s finances. She and other royal family members thought it wise to design their gaming jurisdiction after small German gambling towns that were successful at the time.

Caroline also sought to recruit Francois Blanc and his brother, Louis, to run Monaco’s new casino. The Blancs initially refused due to the fact that they already had success in Bad Homberg, Germany.

Francois, or the “Magician of Homberg,” introduced a single-zero roulette wheel in this German town. The single-zero wheel lowered the roulette house edge from 5.26% to 2.70% and drew numerous gamblers.

But after dealing with anti-gambling measures in Germany, the Blancs decided to take Monaco up on their offer. They built a luxurious establishment in the Monte Carlo district that would come to be known as Casino de Monte-Carlo.

The Blancs and royal family also built better transportation routes to the isolated area. Soon, gamblers came from all over Europe to enjoy single-zero roulette and the district’s breathtaking scenery.

Monte Carlo is situated between the French Riviera and Italy’s Maritime Alps. It also lies on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This rugged, seaside terrain only adds to gambling trips.

Soon, wealthy people from all parts of the globe descended upon this remote, mountainous location. Monte Carlo quickly became known as the world’s hottest gambling destination.

It also developed into a hangout spot for celebrities, which is an aspect that remains true today as well.

Exclusive Destination for Many Celebrities

Unlike many popular casino destinations, Monte Carlo isn’t easily accessible. Instead, it’s a hard-to-reach place that doesn’t have an airport or largescale highways.

Most people who visit either fly into Nice, France, and Uber their way 20 miles down the Mediterranean coast. Others fly into Paris and take an eight-hour train ride to Monte Carlo.

Helicopter transportation offers yet another travel option. However, you’ll end up paying $150 or more for the ride. The lack of access to Monte Carlo is one reason why it’s so exclusive. Unlike with Las Vegas, you can’t just jump in the car and start driving here.

Monte Carlo’s history is yet another reason for its exclusivity. The rich and famous have been visiting ever since Monaco legalized gambling in 1863. Grace Kelly is better associated with Monte Carlo than any other celebrity. She met Prince Rainier III while attending the nearby the Cannes Film Festival in April 1955.

Kelly travelled to the Prince’s Palace of Monaco to do a photoshoot with Rainer III. She was dating French actor Jean-Pierre Aumont at the time. However, romance quickly sparked between Kelly and Prince Rainier. The couple dated for a year before they decided to get married.

Kelly was already a huge movie star at the time. She only gained more fame when her royal wedding was seen by 30 million TV viewers. This celebrity-turned-princess story furthered Monte Carlo’s reputation as a place where the rich and elite come to play.

However, it’s also open to anybody who can afford the trip. Those who want to feel like a star and enjoy the lap of luxury often head to Monte Carlo for a gambling vacation.

Hotspot for Filming Movies

Famous Hollywood movies have used Monte Carlo as a shooting location. Directors and producers love the Mediterranean Sea views and overall lore of the area.

There are some of the popular films that have been shot here:

• Foolish Wives (1922)
• To Catch a Thief (1954)
• Grand Prix (1966)
• Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977)
• Never Say Never Again (1983)
• GoldenEye (1995)
• I Spy (2002)
• Iron Man 2 (2010)
• Monte Carlo (2011)
• Murder Mystery (2019)

Casino de Monte-Carlo

Monte Carlo only has five casinos. Therefore, it’ll never compete with Las Vegas or Macau in terms of the number of gambling establishments. However, it does offer one of the world’s most-famous gaming venues. Casino de Monte-Carlo is home to some of the biggest high-stakes gambling action in Europe.

Those who play here really appreciate the casino’s classic atmosphere and elegant feeling. Casino de Monte-Carlo has elaborate décor that includes chandeliers, ornate ceilings, and polished wood fixtures.

Contrary to public opinion, this venue doesn’t force everybody to don formal wear. However, the high-roller rooms do expect men to wear a tuxedo and women to wear an evening gown.

Casino de Monte-Carlo has seen many famous people walk through its doors. It also graces many photos involving Monte Carlo.

Why Is Monte Carlo Less Popular as a Gambling Destination Today?

Monte Carlo still remains a popular gaming and overall tourism spot. However, it doesn’t draw the same volume of gamblers as it once did.

The main reason why is simply because the world features more legal gambling jurisdictions than ever before. Again, Monte Carlo was one of the first places to legalize casinos. At that time, most of Europe’s gambling action was relegated to small German towns.

Thanks to its gorgeous scenery and royal feeling, Monte Carlo quickly established itself as Europe’s premier gambling spot. This is far from the case today. Famous places like Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Macau, and Singapore, many other cities, states, and countries feature legal casinos.

Somebody from the US or Germany, for example, doesn’t need to take an expensive trip to gamble in Monte Carlo. Instead, they can likely hop in a car, drive down the highway, and reach a casino.

Another issue is the sheer difficulty in reaching Monaco. This principality doesn’t offer an international airport or easily accessible highways. These aspects have helped keep the mystique of Monte Carlo intact. But they also prevent the average person from visiting here.

The cost is one more factor that diminishes Monte Carlo tourism numbers. You’ll spend €350 on average just to book a basic hotel room here. The cost is worth it if you have the money and want an unforgettable experience. However, you could also visit, gamble, and eat at a local casino for the same amount or less.

Is Monte Carlo Still Relevant to the World?

Multiple factors are working against Monte Carlo’s popularity. However, this famed vacation spot is still highly relevant. It’s located in a very popular tourism area that also includes Cannes and Nice. It draws numerous people every year who don’t even gamble.

These visitors may simply be looking for the Mediterranean views and lavish hotel rooms. They might also enjoy the same spot that has been graced by many celebrities over the years.

Monte Carlo also offers what are arguably the world’s most opulent, high-roller gambling rooms. These private rooms boast furnishings and atmosphere that no other casino destination can match.

Finally, Hollywood continues to use Monte Carlo as a preferred film setting. This district offers the kind of breathtaking scenery and luxury that looks great on camera.

Conclusion

Monte Carlo may no longer carry the same stature that it did in the mid-1800s. But this is also a very different time than back then.

Many jurisdictions across the world have legalized gambling. Monte Carlo no longer remains exclusive in this regard.

It also features higher costs and less convenient travel routes than Vegas or any other gambling destination. The average Joe doesn’t casually plan a Monte Carlo trip.

Of course, the same downsides also add appeal. Monte Carlo is exclusive, posh, and different than any other casino location in the world.

It’ll never attract the masses today like Vegas and Macau do. However, Monte Carlo will draw a certain crowd that prefers gambling amid a luxurious atmosphere.