Greece is a nation celebrated for its scenery, delicious food, good restaurants, and a variety of land-based casinos. Whether nestled on islands or thriving in urban centers, the realm of Greek mythology presents a captivating array of gaming opportunities that cater to both domestic patrons and global fans of gambling, especially when it comes to online casino Greece. The enchanting realm of casinos exudes an ambiance of thrill and opulence, blending top-tier gaming venues with hospitality and a touch of Hellenic allure.
The First Real Casinos In Greece
The first real casinos in Greece were opened in Corfu (Achillion) and Rhodes, at the Grande Albergo Delle Rose Hotel in 1962. In accordance with the contract between the Greek government and the Greek National Tourism Organization (WTO), an agreement was reached with a company representing Germany’s interests in the construction of several casinos.
The establishment of these venues has positively impacted Greece’s reputation, on the stage enhancing its appeal to tourists and drawing in both international high society. Consequently, in 1971 the Mont Parnes Casino under the ownership of Cypriot businessman Phrixos Demetriou was granted permission to operate a luxury casino catering to residents nearby.
Modern Casinos In Greece
In the 1990s, the introduction of licensing and the rise of casinos brought about significant changes. Right from the start, every casino aimed to make an impression and stand out from the competition. Porto Carras Casino kicked off with a vibe reminiscent of Las Vegas, boasting features that rival those of casinos.
Regency Casinos in Parnita and Thessaloniki aimed to enhance their offerings with elegance and sophistication, complementing the presence of 5-star hotels in Thessaloniki and upcoming developments in Athens. Loutraki Casino embodies a sense of luxury while remaining inclusive to individuals from the class, highlighting its focus on catering to a clientele.
The rest of the casinos throughout Greece can be called tourist casinos since their main customers are tourists. Their rooms are quite simple, and everyone feels welcome.
The Most Famous Casinos In Greece
Rio Casino
It is one of the last to get a license to operate in Greece and is located just 8 km from Patras. With this casino, the whole of Western Greece got its own place for entertainment as well as for stress relief. It is a functioning casino that may not have the number of games that those of Thessaloniki or Parnitha have but the variety is the same as the rest that exist in Greece.
You can also visit it from Patras by taxi, city bus or even by motorbike. The location is also accessible for the residents of the surrounding areas, such as from Xylokastro which is 20 minutes away, and Aegio in half an hour. For those of you who are from Agrinio you want almost 2 hours and from Nafpaktos almost 45 minutes.
Regarding the issue of operating hours, the Casino of Rio operates 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. So you don’t have to be afraid or stressed if you find, for example, all the tabletop games open, as happens in other casinos like the one in Xanthi.
There are many games available at Rio Casino, and there are over 300 slots, many of which have big jackpots. An important element is that the player can play in them with just 0.01 euro. The casino area is not large enough, compared to the rest of the Greek land-based casinos, as it covers an area of only 1500 sq.m.
Xanthi Casino
The casino in Xanthi was created in 1995 and until 2011 it was a pole of attraction for all the players of Thrace. At the time of writing this post, its transfer to Alexandroupolis has begun, but the name of the casino remains the same. The issue of the last 2-3 years was the decrease in the number of visitors and the local community that could no longer support the casino on its own, financially.
The casino of Xanthi is only 2 kilometers from the city center, so you can go on foot, with your car, with a motorbike, with the city bus, or even with a taxi, with the fare not expected to exceed 4 to 5 euros. Xanthi is located in the center of Thrace and is connected to Egnatia and Greece’s railway network. The air connection is made through the Kavala airport, which is only 25 kilometers away.
The casino of Xanthi offers the well-known games of all the casinos in Greece, but much less quantitatively, due to the smaller audience it has. There are:
- 11 American Roulettes;
- 10 blackjack tables of 6 seats;
- 3 tables for Stud Poker;
Greek casinos are not just gambling centers, they are entertainment and social centers as well. So with a delightful combination of traditional games such as roulette and poker, along with modern offerings such as slot machines and cutting-edge computer games, these casinos cater to the diverse tastes of all their visitors. Be sure to visit Greek casinos to see for yourself their greatness.
