Monte Carlo is renowned as a destination for the rich and the famous. But for high-rolling casino gamers, it also offers an avenue to sample the finer elements of elite blackjack, poker and roulette.
But what separates a luxury casino from any other type of casino? We’re sure you’ve been to a land-based casino somewhere in the world; they’re prevalent throughout the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, but for a casino to get into the higher echelons of luxury, there needs to be a few factors that set it apart - let’s have a look.
The Changing Appeal Of Luxury Casinos
Before the internet, luxury casinos could lean into their mystique and aura - they were a closed shop to the layperson, granting access to A-listers and the world’s wealthiest. Online casino gaming is not the only thing that has caused these elite brands to reshape their model, though.
The emergence of travel companies and influencers exclusively using social media to bring down the barriers that helped luxury casinos sell their mystique as part of their package meant they had to adapt to this new, changing world.
Online casinos also cater to VIPs and high-rollers; they offer exclusive live tables and promotions based on the playbook of luxury land-based casinos. Now, a live dealer online casino game might not come with the amenities of some of these luxury operators, but they were able to inject added convenience into the industry.
No longer did high-rollers have to head down to the private tables of a brick-and-mortar destination. They could fire up their smartphone, tablet, or desktop, play a live online casino game, and interact with a dealer without leaving the comfort of their home.
Fine Dining & World-Class Entertainment
Since luxury casinos have succeeded with their current model, many have doubled down on ideas that have worked previously. Fine dining and world-class entertainment are the two pillars of luxury casinos and the quickest way to differentiate an elite provider from one that is solid but doesn’t quite have that extra punch to get them into the higher bracket.
For instance, fine dining is one of the best unique selling points of luxury casinos and one that online casinos cannot mirror. Luxury dining experiences are a testament to human creativity, even as standalone businesses. Still, when Michelin-star chefs open restaurants in a casino or as an extension of the brand, this will continue to bring customers through the door.
In addition to the fine dining, luxury land-based casinos have another weapon in their arsenal: their ability to attract some of the world’s biggest entertainers. In Monte Carlo, luxury casinos pay top dollar to bring in some of the most well-known names in entertainment.
While Europe is littered with incredible travel ideas and destinations, only a handful of places like Monte Carlo offer a combination of luxury casino gaming, world-class entertainment and cuisine compiled by the world’s best chefs.
Monte Carlo also has a beautiful setting, not just the casinos. It is a travel destination that offers the sort of privacy and tranquillity for high-net-worth individuals that few places on Earth can replicate.
Macau Mecca
Regarding volume and scope, no destination comes close to Macau. It handles more gambling transactions than any other nation or jurisdiction and by quite some distance. If we’re talking luxury, though, despite being the hub for Asian gambling, it doesn’t quite have the esteem or glamour associated with Monte Carlo.
Monaco has advantages, as it’s known as a place where high-rollers live and are known for other things besides its luxury casinos. While Macau is actively looking to build on this, and the billions of dollars it generates every year are being cycled back into the development of some of the characteristics that define luxury casinos, notably the ones we touched on in the last section, such as fine dining and world-class entertainment - it is still a step behind Monte Carlo in this respect.
From a casino gaming perspective, Macau has a gigantic range of casinos, and their private lounges and tables often see millions of dollars of activity within a few hours. Perhaps in a few years, it’ll be a serious competitor, but at the moment, it’s still behind the majesty of Monte Carlo.
This question boils down to where you are in the world, too. If you’re a high-roller based in Asia, then Macau is the obvious destination purely because of its locality. While Monte Carlo might be seen as the slicker and more classy of the luxury casino destinations, there wouldn’t be much point getting on a flight for 15 hours and travelling across multiple time zones just to play the same game.
Macau is generating more interest, primarily through the colossal profit the casinos are generating. Still, Monte Carlo remains the luxury casino destination with a broader, multi-faceted appeal as a vacation setting - and if you’re somebody with expensive taste, Monte Carlo would be our pick.
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