The Casino de Monte-Carlo, one of the world’s oldest casinos, is much more than just a gaming destination. Conceived in the mid-19th century, this iconic landmark was created out of necessity to rescue the House of Grimaldi’s finances after Monaco’s territories of Menton and Roquebrune declared independence in 1848, stripping the principality of its primary tax revenue.
The casino district, named “Monte Carlo” (Mount Charles) in 1866, honours Prince Charles III, who championed the project. However, many prefer to believe it was named after Princess Caroline, who not only spearheaded the vision that brought the casino to life but also introduced the rule barring Monégasques—citizens of Monaco—and the royal family from gambling on its premises. This safeguard, designed to protect locals from financial ruin, remains in place to this day.
The history of the Casino de Monte Carlo is filled with fascinating tales. In its early years, local churches reportedly stopped singing the first 36 Psalms because gamblers began using their numbers as betting cues—a curious intersection of faith and fortune. Its roulette tables witnessed an astonishing streak in 1913 when the ball landed on black 26 consecutive times. Gamblers, convinced Red was overdue, lost millions chasing the streak—a legendary example of the “gambler’s fallacy.”
Adding to its fame, the iconic song The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo immortalised Charles Wells, whose audacious winning streaks became the stuff of legend.
Today, the Casino de Monte-Carlo stands as a glittering testament to Monaco’s resilience and sophistication, with a touch of eccentricity.
