Monaco is a legendary and iconic micronation in Europe, famed for its casinos – but what’s the legal gambling age in-country?
If you want to gamble in Monaco, you’ll need to be at least eighteen years of age. Furthermore, you cannot be a resident of Monaco – only a visitor. If you’re not eighteen years of age or older, you’ll often not even be granted access into the casino.
Read on to learn more about Monaco, why it’s so famous for its casinos, and how much money the country generates.
It’s Small But Mighty
Today, Monaco exists as one of the jewels of the French Riviera, sitting a short distance from the Italian border, on the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a short journey from the beautiful city of Nice, and for all intents and purposes, it looks as though it’s a part of France.
However, Monaco is actually a ‘micronation’, a sovereign nation in itself, with its own monarchy, government, and economy. Although, don’t be fooled by its tiny stature – Monaco might be absolutely minuscule, but it’s a massively wealthy nation.
This extremely luxurious and aspirational micronation is a haven for the world’s elite and the super-rich. It’s best known for its strict law and order, lenient tax rules, yacht-laden harbor, and extravagant hotels and casinos.
It’s also the site of the Monaco Grand Prix, a Formula One event that draws in millions of dollars to the country’s economy every year. There’s only forty thousand people in the entire country, and it’s estimated that a third of that population is made up of millionaires.
Where the economy is concerned, around eighty-six percent of Monaco’s GDP is generated by services and tourism, rather than physical exports. There are no income taxes gathered by the Monaquesque government, so many individuals and companies are attracted to the micronation.
There’s more money in Monaco than most cities on Earth, and although it’s barely one mile across, it generates more cash than some countries.
Place Your Bets, Place Your Bets
If you’re taking a vacation in Monaco, there’s a strong possibility that you’re going to gamble. There are several casinos in and around Monaco, but none are more iconic or popular than the Monte Carlo Casino.
This historic establishment has an impressive history, and it stretches back to the very origins of Monaco itself. At the beginning, Monte Carlo was a small and somewhat decrepit town, until the ‘family’ that owned it decided to improve their fortunes somewhat.
The answer to their problems was the construction of a casino in 1850, which would become known as the Monte Carlo Casino. This extravagant and opulent building cost a fortune to construct, and that investment wouldn’t start to pay off until the turn of the twentieth century.
Today, the casino is one of the leading tourist destinations in all of Europe. It’s a high-class, high-quality establishment that welcomes the world’s elite on a daily basis, and it’s an extremely regulated attraction.
If you want to simply enter the Monte Carlo Casino – or any casino in Monaco – you need to be at least eighteen years of age. That’s the same rule for gambling – if you’re not eighteen, you’re not placing bets, it’s as simple as that.
There are also dress code rules, entry fees, and restrictions on who can bet at which tables, at specific times. However, if you follow all the rules put in place, a visit to the Monte Carlo Casino is said to be an incredible and memorable experience.
What Else Can You Do?
While the Monte Carlo Casino is the main attraction in Monaco, there are a few more things that you can do there while on vacation. For example, if you’re a fan of finer things, you can go yacht or supercar spotting on the harbor or in the streets of Monaco.
There’s a fine assortment of high-end stores around the streets of the micronation that you can also take advantage of. And, as you might expect, there are more high-class bistros and restaurants than you can shake a stick at.
If relaxation is more your angle, there are spas and luxurious hotels to spend some time in, or ultimately, you can lounge on the Plage du Larvotto. This pebble-topped beach is an attractive option for wasting a few hours and taking advantage of the Mediterranean climate.
If you’re interested in learning more about Monaco, check out this article – you can learn about the cost of taking a vacation there, if that’s your goal.