When you arrive to Madrid, you may possibly here people speaking about the "Casino de Madrid". Contrary to what you may think the Casino de Madrid
doesn't offer the opportunity to try your luck at roulette, black jack or any other game. In Spanish, the word casino also means society, and you may
find therefore find a casino in the smallest villages.
Nevertheless, we can recommend a visit to the Casino de Madrid which is located in a beautiful historical building and host to several professional and
private functions. The society was founded in 1836, when a group of members of the high society of Madrid decided to establisch a place where they
could enjoy reading a book or enjoy a quiet converstion away from the frenetic world of politics and business.
On the ground floor of the building you will be amazed by the Patio Central, which is many times used for cocktails. The stairs leading up the second
floor are covered with a red carpet and excellent for making a memorable photo of your visit to Madrid. On the second floor you will find the most
emblematic room: la Sala Real (picture above), also known as the dance hall. This room is fully restored in its' originale state and reflects al splendour of the 19th
century. On the upper floor of the building you will find a very special restaurant (one Michelin star) called "Terrazas del Casino" that is run by
Paco Roncero and supported by the famous Spanish chef Ferran Adriá. Not to be missed!
Now let's get back to the casinos that do offer possibilities for gambling. The best known is el Casino Gran Madrid, located just outside Madrid in a
suburb called Torredolones. All know games are available such are American and French roulette, blackjack, poker and jackpots. If you get hungry, then
don't doubt to drop-in at the restaurant L'Etoile where you will enjoy a selected kitchen with prime materials.
If you like to play bingo, then your best bet would be the Casino de Arganda, located near the central Puerta del Sol. Please do note that you will
only find bingo here and a limited choice of jackpots.
If you have a car, then you shouldn't miss the Gran Casino de Aranjuez. This isn't really located withing the city of Madrid anymore, but the city of
Aranjuez is certainly worth a visit and it's nice to go there for a day trip and end the day at the Casino. It's one of the few casinos in Spain
offering the possibilty to enter a luxury private room. The restaurant Nautilum offers a varied menu and excellent wines.
For those who prefer to stay at home or don't have the posibility to travel to one of the casinos of Madrid, we can recommend to try play poker online. PartyPoker is located in Gibraltar (near Spain!) and offer a wide range of different online games and bets. Sure, you will have to miss one
of the excellent restaurants that you would have found in Madrid, but after winning you may prepare yourself for the trip!
