Nothing gets the heart pumping like a James Bond flick. The $7 billion film series is responsible for some of cinema’s most memorable casino scenes. Who could forget the opening of Dr. No, when we witnessed 007’s killer card skills for the very first time? And what about that high-stakes Texas hold ‘em showdown in Casino Royale? Nobody but Bond could have defeated Le Chiffre with poison coursing through their veins.
As much as we love re-watching our favourite Bond movie scenes though, you can’t beat a trip to the actual casinos where they were shot. You’ll find casinos in London, Las Vegas and even the Portuguese Riviera used for film locations (check them out in the guide below).
But if you visit only one Bond casino in your lifetime, make it the Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco. This place was built to impress. In fact, it’s what inspired author Ian Fleming to write the original James Bond novels.
As soon as you pull up outside, you’ll recognise its Belle Époque façade from the movies Never Say Never Again and GoldenEye. Expect the inside to be equally opulent, with hand-crafted gaming tables, almost 1,000 flashing slots machines and beautiful Bohemian crystal chandeliers. It’s like no other place in this world. Don’t forget to practice online before you go – many websites offer a no deposit bonus too so you can earn some extra cash to play with.