Monaco always feels a little lost in time. While there are plenty of modern touches, the country has little interest in being on the cutting edge of modernity. Instead, it trades in traditional elegance and sophistication, the likes of which are increasingly hard to come by in a world that is continually hurtling into the future.
And nowhere is that more evident than at Monte Carlo Casino. A proud symbol of Monaco’s decadence since 1860, the casino continues to draw large crowds despite the rise of online casinos. And that will likely remain the same in the future, since while there are similarities, Monte Carlo Casino and online casinos offer fundamentally different experiences. We’ll take a look at some of the key differences between the two below.
Cost of Entry
You’ll need to pay to get into Monte Carlo Casino. The cost of entry is €18, though that does include a €10 that can be used at the tables. You can get the entry cost down to €15 if you’re in a group of ten or more. Online casinos, of course, do not have an entry cost. A player can simply visit the site, make a deposit, and begin playing games.
There’s a reason why Monte Carlo Casino charges entry, however. The building in which the casino is located is a tourist attraction in itself. Charging for entry is a way to ensure only people who genuinely want to play enter the building.
Number of Games
Monte Carlo Casino has a wide range of games, but it dwarfs in comparison to what you’ll typically find at online casinos. It excels in table games, offering some games that are normally difficult to find in Europe, including Trente et Quarante and Chemin de Fer. It also has three versions of roulette — French, European, and American — which is a nice touch. However, though it has a decent number of slot games, it has nowhere near as many as what you’ll find at online casinos. Monte Carlo Casino tends to offer classic slot games, while online casinos have all the best games from the past ten years, including Book of Dead, Big Bass Splash, and Sweet Bonanza. Online casinos also routinely update their slots offering, adding new titles each week. In contrast, the selection at Monte Carlo Casino tends to be more static.
Opening Hours
In many ways, comparing Monte Carlo Casino with online casinos is similar to comparing brick-and-mortar retail stores with eCommerce sites. There’s a big difference in convenience and accessibility between the two. Monte Carlo Casino has set opening hours from 2 pm to 4 am. And of course, you have to physically be in Monaco to visit. On the other hand, online casinos are open 24/7 and can be accessed from wherever the gamer happens to be. They’ll have the same experience if they’re playing at 3 pm on a beach as they would if they were playing at 11 pm on their couch at home.
Beyond the Casino
But there’s one area in which Monte Carlo Casinos have the edge over online casinos. And that’s the number of things you can do around the gaming activity. Once a player is done at Monte Carlo Casino, they’ll have the rest of Monaco’s amazing attractions to explore. As good as online casinos may be, they’ll never be able to offer a post-playing dinner at one of the world’s greatest restaurants, such as Le Louis XV.
Conclusion
Looking at the above, it’s clear that, from a gaming perspective, online casinos beat Monte Carlo Casino by virtually every metric, including the number of games on offer and sheer convenience. But that’s not to say that a person should automatically choose an online casino over Monte Carlo Casino. They’re different experiences — online casinos may offer a purer “gaming” experience, but Monaco’s gaming house offers a window into a world that no longer exists. Ultimately, they both have their roles to play.
