There is perhaps nowhere on Earth more closely associated with the casino trade than Monaco; only Las Vegas comes close. The glamour and glitz of Monaco casinos is the first thing that anyone thinks of when the name of Monte Carlo is mentioned, and the five casinos sited in Monaco have played a huge role in the development of this tiny principality on the southern coast of France. Although nowadays the casino sector actually forms a fairly small part of the economy, Monaco casinos will always occupy a very special place in the history of the casino trade, as well as being the prime attraction for visitors to this glamorous enclave.
Monaco is the second-smallest independent state in the world (only the Vatican City is smaller) and has been ruled for over 700 years by the Grimaldi family; furthermore, there is no income tax in the principality. Consequently, it is home to some of the richest people in the world, who are attracted not only by its tax-haven status, but also by the glamour of living in one of Europe’s most exclusive, and expensive, cities. Citizens of Monaco are, however, banned from entering the gaming rooms.
There are five Monaco casinos, the...