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Europe as a Gambling Destination
European gambling laws have gone through many changes over the past few centuries. Today, casino gambling is legal in many European countries, although the rules and regulations vary. Some of Europe’s most popular casino gambling destinations include:
- United Kingdom
- France
- Spain
- Italy
- Germany
- Greece
- Portugal
- Austria
- Czech Republic
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Denmark
- Switzerland
European casinos are famous for their opulence and range of gaming options. Most of these establishments offer much more than just gambling though. Fine dining, world-class entertainment, shopping, and almost any other modern amenity is now a part of the experience. As far as gambling goes, the typical European casino floor boasts loads of slots and other electronic games. They also offer a wide variety of table games.
Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games. It’s one of the easiest casino games to learn and there are several variations of it like Spanish 21, Pontoon, Double Exposure, and European Blackjack.
Roulette
Roulette has been a casino staple since the late 1700s. Of course, the game has evolved over the years and there are now several variants. European Roulette, American Roulette, and French Roulette are the most common Roulette games at land-based casinos in Europe. Online casinos offer several other versions like Mini Roulette, Multi-Wheel Roulette, and Triple Bonus Spin Roulette.
Baccarat
A European casino classic, which is played between a player and a banker, Baccarat rose to prominence during the 1800s. The most common variants are Punto Banco, Mini Baccarat, Chemin de fer, and Baccarat Banque.
Dice Games
Craps is perhaps the most well-known casino dice game. It was popularized in the United States, but it is based on an old English game called ‘Hazard’ which dates back to the 14th century. Sic bo is another casino dice game that’s gaining traction in European casinos after becoming a favorite in Asia.
Casino Card Games
European casinos usually have a great selection of casino card games. Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Let It Ride, and Caribbean Stud are just a few examples. As the names suggest, many of these games are based on poker.
Poker
Unlike other casino games that pit players against the house or a banker, poker players compete against each other. Many European casinos have poker rooms that host everything from small cash games to major events. Texas hold ‘em, Omaha, stud poker, and draw poker are among the most trendy variants.
The Biggest Casinos in Europe
There are well over 1,000 casinos scattered throughout Europe. However, there are a few that stand out. In Como, Italy, the Casino di Campione is a massive 590,000 square-foot facility with over 500 slots and 56 table games. Resorts World Birmingham is the UK’s largest casino. It features over 200 slots and table games along with a whopping 18 restaurants and an assortment of other luxurious amenities. The Casino at the Empire is the place to be if you are looking for the ultimate casino experience in London.
Those who want to choose from the most games will love Casino Estoril in Lisbon, Portugal. It might not be a sprawling complex compared to other European casino resorts, but it has all the bells and whistles including a staggering 1,235 slots and table games. Needless to say, Monaco’s Casino de Monte Carlo is probably Europe’s most famous casino.
European Gambling Laws
As mentioned, Europe’s gambling laws differ from country to country. Gambling in most European nations is legal both online and at brick-and-mortar casinos. Still, it remains a forbidden fruit in other regions. Then are places like Russia where gambling is only allowed in certain areas. You can find casinos in these 41 European countries where casino gambling is legal. Keep in mind, some of these countries such as Albania allow casino gambling, but place restrictions on online gambling.
Casinos in most of these European destinations offer a full range of slots, VLTs, and table games along with other modern amenities. The legal age to play casino games in European casinos ranges between 18 and 21 depending on the country.
In addition to the above-mentioned countries, casino gambling is also legal in Andorra. Unfortunately, there are no casinos currently operating in the country. In Ireland, casino gambling is illegal and no real casinos operate there. However, a legal loophole allows for private clubs and other “gaming clubs” to operate. Visitors can still partake in a casino-style experience when they visit the Emerald Isle.
Monaco has a unique gambling law. This principality is home to four casinos including one of the world’s most famous casinos, Casino de Monte Carlo. The catch? These establishments are only open to non-residents. Russia also has some unusual gambling laws. Despite the massive popularity of gambling there, casinos are only allowed to operate in four small regions. Casino gambling is prohibited in Azerbaijan, Norway, Turkey, and Ukraine. It’s a good idea to check out the local gambling laws if you plan to gamble when you visit Europe.
You should also look into the gambling taxes that apply at your European gambling destination. Countries that impose taxes on winnings usually leave it up to individual casinos to levy those taxes. These casino withhold part of your winnings at the cashier’s window while others give you a tax form to fill out. There are also certain exemptions. For instance, if you win under €1,500 in a French casino, you aren’t taxed at all. Only the amount above and beyond that €1,500 plateau is taxed at a rate of 12%. You might feel the taxman’s bite at Spanish casinos where they take 20% of your winnings.
The following European countries do not tax you on casino winnings:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- Hungary
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Romania
- Sweden
- United Kingdom