Exploring the Largest Casino in the world: Casinò di Campione

When it comes to gambling, Europe is home to some of the biggest and most luxurious casinos in the world. One such casino is the Casino di Campione, located in a small Italian enclave.

Location and History

The Casinò di Campione is situated on the shores of Lake Lugano in the Italian province of Como.

Casino di Campione, Province of Como, Italy

When Casinò di Campione first opened its doors in 1917, it was primarily used for espionage during the First World War. After only two years, it closed in 1919. However, it reopened on March 2nd, 1933, and has been going strong ever since, celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2013.

Bankruptcy & Closure

But the road to success hasn’t always been smooth. In 2018, the Court of Como declared the casino bankrupt due to its inability to pay the fees due to its sole shareholder, the Municipality of Campione. This led to the loss of 600 jobs and affected many affiliated businesses. The closure of the casino also led to a significant drop in the number of tourists and visitors, causing many shops, bars, and restaurants in the area to close their doors for good.

Rebirth & New Beginnings

Thanks to a court-approved rescue plan, the casino was able to reopen in January 2022, providing job opportunities for at least 174 people.

Right now, Casinò di Campione is a massive nine-floor gambling complex that spans over 55,000 sq. m.

Gambling at Casinò di Campione

The casino features 650 slot machines, which are located in a separate smoking area and include progressive jackpots and mystery jackpot slots, among others. These games are credited to Novomatic and other leading game developers.

Slot machines, Casino di Campione

Roulette, Casino di Campione

For guests who prefer poker games, the casino offers daily Texas Hold’Em poker cash games from 3 pm to 4 am and tournaments accommodating up to 25 players each held on weekend. The buy-ins range from €100 to €500, and blinds range from €1/€2, €2/€5, and €5/€10.

Casino Building

The Casinò di Campione relocated to a new building in 2007, which was designed by the renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta. The modern architecture of the new location is impressive and has become a city landmark.

Notable Scandals

In 2006, the casino gained intense media attention when Victor Emmanuel of Savoy, son of the last king of Italy, was accused of organizing an escort service through the establishment.

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