Viva Madrid! Casino Guide To The Capital
That the Spanish like to gamble is no secret – it´s Christmas El Gordo Lottery is the oldest ( dating back three centuries) and largest in the world but it´s capital Madrid has always lagged behind other European ones like London and Paris – let along Monte Carlo for the elegance of the casino
Its resurgence in the last few years owes much to the late Las Vegas magnate Sheldon Adelson whose vision for the aborted $30bn Euro Vegas was the spark.
As a result of the proposal, the decades long Franco era prohibition on casinos in the centre of Madrid was lifted allowing for two new centrally located casinos to open.
Today Madrid has a vibrant casino scene both in and out of the centre of the capital.
So if you fancy an evening of roulette, poker and blackjack in an elegant setting, we have compiled a casino guide to what´s on offer in Madrid.
Casino de Madrid
Although named a ” casino” this is in fact a private club open to ladies and gentlemen, dating back to the mid 19th century.
We have included it to correct a common misconception for casual visitors who are turned away at the palatial entrance by the top hatted doorman!
Entrance can be arranged though through recomendations and some exclusive concierge service companies that offer temporary memberships.
Casino Gran Via
Situated on the Gran Via itself this referburbished art decó building was completed in 1924, becoming a corporate HQ until its present conversion as a casino.
The Casino is divided into three floors devoted to gambling, where you can choose from American and French roulette, traditional Baccarat, Poker and Black Jack tables, as well as a wide and innovative range of slot machines and electronic roulette wheels.
It also has a variety of restuarants including the Trade Circle Restaurant, The Dome, a cocktail bar as well as offering an extensive snack menu in the Gaming Room.
It is also possible to reserve spaces to hold private or corporate events.
Casino Gran Madrid
Is located right on the Madrid’s artery of Prado-Recoletos-Castellana. 
The building, modern and avant-garde, is distributed in four stories where you can find different areas dedicated to gambling and other leisure activities and culinary experiences.
The main hall is located on the top floor and holds several gambling tables, slot machines and a café-bar called Bond Bar.
The ground floor also has a gambling area and the Rhum&Rhum Bar.
The second floor is reserved for the Mandarín Restaurant, serving an Asian fusion of Japanese, Chinese and Thai with Iberian culinary traditions.
Next to this restaurant you can find an afterwork area, meant as a reference point for the Madrid’s afternoons and evenings.
The ground floor has a private gambling room which can be reserved and organised in advance.
Casino Gran Madrid Torrelodones
Situated on the outskirts of the city, the Gran Casino Madrid combines the attraction of gaming with a taste for gastronomy and concerts.
In its L’Etoile restaurant, you can try the chef’s most innovative creations, and fans of sports and snacking come together in its Sports Bar.
In addition to the games of chance, the casino has a virtual reality room that is unique in Europe where you can play various games.
Its gastronomic offer is varied, consisting of the Zero restaurant, where you can taste traditional cuisine, Mandalay restaurant, an elegant vintage-style space where you can enjoy international haute cuisine with a show included; and the Cubik Gastro Market, a new concept of buffet where you can enjoy surprising dishes set to live music.
Gran Casino Aranjuez
Apart from games rooms, there is a large dining area, space for celebrations of all kinds of events – both public and private – like weddings, communions or business meetings.
The Casino has poker tables and holds several poker tournaments. They also have American roulette, black jack, slot machines, i-tables and sports betting. The dining area consists of a buffet, a restaurant for gourmet dining, a cocktail bar and a theater cafe, inspired in the Parisian cafes of the 19th century.
As well as being a casino, the Gran Casino de Aranjuez also has a theatre with capacity for 2,000 people and has hosted concerts by such Spanish artists as Raphael, Miguel Bose, Julio Iglesias, Isabel Pantoja and Joaquín Cortés.
