Page 25 - Monaco Economy 123

“Monte-Carlo Casino is an exception” by Milena Radoman

As early as since 1863, Monaco has been asserting itself in the world of gambling, both real and
virtual…

In 1863, Monaco played a trump card by three English clubs have just tables,” according millions of euros in one evening. The large
opening its casino, thanks to the expertise of to Jean-Luc Biamonti, CEO of the Société des competing international groups are, indeed,
the “Magician of Homburg”, François Blanc. Bains de Mer (SBM), which has had a monopoly bringing in these vast fortunes by private jet
Gambling being prohibited in practically all on games in the Principality since 1863; and and limousine. The SBM pampers them, with a
of Europe, this competitive advantage placed the SBM boss is convinced that Monaco will unique $1 million roulette tournament or private
the Principality on the radar of European high “soon be the last casino in Europe where you games parties on the stage of the Monte-Carlo
society: aristocrats, wealthy gamblers, artists, can play European roulette.” opera house or under the dome at the Bay.
businessmen and crowned heads all flocked to If, in the past, European games (roulette) and “The concept is very exclusive, the players
the tables of the Monégasque casino, where American games (blackjack) each had their love it and we’re going to continue this policy,”
roulette with a single zero (an invention of own site, the Café de Paris and the casino now confides a confident Jean-Luc Biamonti. Better
François Blanc) and Thirty-and-Forty were a hit. concentrate on the Monégasque offer (apart still, the Hôtel de Paris offers a luxury suite to
From Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph from the summer pop-up casinos). The Sun customers able to meet the requirement of a
I to Napoleon Bonaparte and artists such as Casino at the Fairmont Hotel (former Loewe’s deposit amounting to...€1million: this royal
Jacques Offenbach, Alexandre Dumas, Jules and preferred hang-out for Americans) has suite, named Monte-Carlo, can be transformed
Verne, Saint-Saëns and Massenet, over the not reopened since Covid-19 and the SBM is into a roulette or Punto Banco room. Croupiers,
years, these emblematic players maintained the planning to end the lease in 2023, thus making room staff, supervisor, security service and
legend of Monte-Carlo Casino, as did La Belle a saving of €8.5 million per year in rent. valets are then assigned to this exceptional
Otéro, the elegant gypsy who started betting room to guarantee the customer the same
at the casino at the age of 13, later choosing Gaming revenue of €200 million playing conditions as in a VIP lounge.
to play with other people’s money. The socialite After a period of crisis due to Covid-19,
would spend FF30 million in total at the tables marked by a historic closure in March 2020 The Monégasque company, which counts
in Monte-Carlo where, in one evening, she lost (an unprecedented situation since the Second amongst its shareholders LVMH and Galaxy
one million gold francs… World War), the casino is now back in action. (the Macao casino group), has no choice but
For the 2021-2022 financial year, the casino to also appeal to the younger generations and
«Soon to be the last casino in Europe where group achieved a gaming turnover of €200.8 the “fun players” segment. This is why Monte-
you can play European roulette» million (gaming activity remains, however, 16% Carlo Casino hosted a world first in 2020: the
Monaco currently retains a prominent place in lower than that recorded during the 2019-2020 digital extension of traditional French roulette.
the gaming world, as its offer remains unique. financial year). The 2022 Grand Prix was also A touch screen allows you to follow the game
“In Vegas or Macao, it’s another world. In a very good vintage with a strong presence of live and place bets. “Younger customers play
Europe, Monte-Carlo Casino is an exception. Latin American customers. In recent years, the roulette in front of a machine - interaction is
We offer a completely different mix of games. casino has been deploying its strategy to attract less impressive for people who are not used to
Elsewhere, there are 90% slot machines and wealthy customers. These “High Rollers” that the protocol,” explains the SBM CEO.
10% table games. Here it’s 50-50! Only two or Vegas and Macao are snapping up can burn

Café de Paris Monte Carlo Bay

25