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Unknown facts about Monaco: No cameras, no photos are allowed inside the casino
Monte-Carlo Casino in Monaco is perhaps the most grand and famous gambling house in the world. The luxurious halls of this iconic building have often been a setting for “James Bond” movies. No cameras are allowed inside the casino’s ornate rooms. However, in 2014, Reuters photographer Eric Gaillard was allowed to turn a documentary about the casino’s inner life over three days.
He commented in his Reuter’s blog that he felt very privileged to witness this private world with its codes and particularities. Valets were vacuum cleaning the gaming tables, removing every bit of dust and foreign matter as anything even that small might compromise the gambling results.
Let us step inside the world’s most spectacular casino and meet the people who make its daily life.
The “Belle Epoque” style Casino of Monte Carlo is the heart of the tiny principality of Monaco nestled into the French Riviera.
Open in 1863, the casino was called to save the ruling Grimaldi dynasty from bankruptcy.
Right to the left of the casino complex, you can enjoy a drink and people-watching in the famous Café de Paris.
To the right is the beautiful Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, a contemporary of the casino and the finest hotel in Monaco.
The Casino of Monte Carlo is a universal social venue. Ever since it opens its doors at 2 p.m., you would see valets running in and out of Ferraris, Bentleys, and Rolls-Royces.
Roland Ceccotti, head of valet parking and a doorman, has been with the casino for 25 years.
Once you are inside, cameras are strictly forbidden here. Eric Gaillard, however, was given a unique chance to make some photos.
Sabine Lorand has worked at the front desk for 10 years, selling entrance tickets at a price of 10 euros each.
Thousands of visitors come to the casino every year. No shorts and flip-flops are allowed. After 8 p.m. a sports jacket is to be worn in the private gaming rooms.
The Casino of Monte Carlo has a long history with James Bond. The first Bond novel of Ian Fleming “Casino Royale” was allegedly inspired by its Art Deco style.
The casino and Monte Carlo have also been a setting for other James Bond movies “Never Say Never Again” and “GoldenEye.”
Barmen Damien Dellerba and Sylvain Pastoret are being photographed in their bar of the private Salle Blanche.
Chantal Duhomme has been in charge of cleaning the slot machines for 25 years. Hundreds of people work behind the scenes to make magic happen.
The amounts of minimum bets are shown in the Salle Medecin. The casino is one of the moneymaker for Monaco. However, no Monegasque is not allowed to gamble there.
