Gaming Clubs, a modern rendition of traditional Gaming Circles, serve as the ultimate sanctuary for fans of Poker and Banking Games in the dazzling city of Paris. While the French capital boasts a total of eight such clubs today, it is devoid of any casinos, leaving Parisian enthusiasts of roulette and slot machines feeling quite disheartened. What is the reason behind this casino-less phenomenon? It is rooted in a web of complex laws, some of which date back over a century, including the most recent law from 1919, which renders Paris a unique case compared to other major European capitals.

1806 - First Official Regulations

Under the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte, the first formal legalization of casinos, along with their accompanying regulations, made its debut. The Emperor, with a keen sense of morality, mandated that gaming establishments be situated well outside urban areas. This was a protective measure aimed at safeguarding the impoverished populace during an era when hardship and despair were much more pronounced than in today's society.

1919 - Casinos in Paris? It’s a firm no!

Following the establishment of the first casinos in coastal, thermal, and wellness resorts, which were intended to bolster tourism, voters approved this initiative on June 15, 1907. Parisian gaming fans were filled with anticipation as they yearned to indulge in their beloved games. However, their hopes were dashed when, in 1919, a law was enacted forbidding any betting games within a 100 km (62 miles) radius of Paris.

The spa town of Enghien-les-Bains, located just 25 km (16 miles) from the Parisian heart, secured an exemption in 1931, although it did not allow the game of boule. To this very day, it stands as the sole exception and the only casino available in the Greater Paris region.

Today - In France

Presently, France is home to nearly 200 establishments, a European record that highlights the nation’s vibrant casino culture. These include the renowned Barrière casinos, the well-established Partouche casinos, and the ever-growing Joa casinos, which collectively represent the largest groups of casino operators in the country.

Within Paris, the seven Gaming Clubs (Club Pierre Charron, Paris Élysée Club, Club Barrière 104, Club Circus, Club Montmartre, Imperial Club, and Punto Club) provide an array of gaming options that allow enthusiasts to delve into Poker and other traditional games such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Blackjack, as well as exciting variations like Blazing 7's Jackpot, Punto Banco, Ultimate Poker, 3-Card Poker, and Stud Poker. Yet, for the thrill of roulette and the allure of slot machines, which are absent from Gaming Clubs in Paris, players have no choice but to venture to a casino.

The origin of the slot machine can be traced back to San Francisco in 1887, when Charles Frey created a device that would go on to achieve immense popularity during the roaring 1920s. This early machine featured three reels adorned with five distinct symbols (a heart, a spade, a diamond, a bell, and a horseshoe). Only authorized for use in France in 1986, slot machines had to bide their time until 1992 to make their grand entrance into all of the nation's casinos, revolutionizing the gaming experience.

The history of roulette is shrouded in a bit more mystery. It is believed to have emerged during the mid-17th century, with various theories surrounding its invention. The most widely accepted theory attributes its creation to the influential French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal, who drew inspiration from the Italian games of Biribi and the English game of Roly-Poly during that era.
The dramatic legalization of gambling in Monte-Carlo in 1860 catapulted roulette to staggering success, first across Europe and subsequently to the shores of the United States.

The History of Casinos Around the World

The term "casino" originally referred to a small house located in the remote northern regions of Italy during the 17th century. These secluded venues offered a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, allowing visitors to enjoy tranquil days away from the turmoil of changing times. In Venice, the playful nickname "ridotto," translating to "nook," was ascribed to the dedicated spaces within these homes designated for gaming activities, including gambling.

Over time, the term "ridotto" morphed into "a redoubt," gaining popularity from the 18th century onward. Gaming rooms, filled with an array of table games, began to proliferate throughout Italy, Austria, Germany, and England.

By the year 1780, the word "casino" began to gain traction on a European scale and subsequently worldwide, attributed largely to the British tourists who considered Italy a fashionable destination for their travels at the time.

In France, the meaning of “gaming house” evolved in 1850 to evoke notions of “gentleman’s clubs,” and in some contexts, even “pleasure houses.” The rise of these gaming establishments would extend across Europe and into the United States, where saloons served as the first gambling halls, eventually leading to the proliferation of casinos we recognize today, each with their own unique regulations based on national laws.

Las Vegas has become synonymous with casino culture, boasting iconic establishments such as the Rio (the famed venue for the World Series of Poker), the luxurious Bellagio, the enchanting Mirage, the opulent Wynn, and countless others, transforming the city into a pilgrimage site for gaming aficionados. Meanwhile, Atlantic City maintains its status as another prominent gambling destination in the United States. In recent years, Macao has emerged as the “Las Vegas of Asia,” evolving into an essential stop for gaming enthusiasts, where high-stakes tables feature the world’s largest betting limits. Will it ultimately displace Las Vegas? Only time will tell.

Casino Games:

European Games American Games
English Roulette American Roulette
European Roulette Craps
(Or French roulette) Black Jack
Jeu de la boule Texas Hold’em
Trente et quarante Ultimate Poker
Le jeu du 23’ Caribbean Stud Poker
Three Cards Poker

Baccarat Bingo
Punto Banco Big Six Wheel
Baccarat on two tables Let it Ride
(Or Banque à tout va) Pai Gow poker
(Or no-limit Baccarat)
Chemin de fer

1990-2020 - THIRTY YEARS OF ONLINE GAMBLING

With the advent of the Internet in the early 1990s, a plethora of virtual casinos offering online gambling began to surface. This burgeoning market became akin to a new El Dorado, and following the previously unregulated nature of this industry, the French Act of May 12, 2010, focused on the Liberalization and Regulation of Online Gambling, which led to the creation of the Online Gaming Regulatory Authority (ARJEL). The primary objectives were to oversee and protect French players while combating illegal gambling activities and fraudulent practices.

Since then, numerous online poker platforms (like Winamax and PokerStars) and sports and horse racing betting sites (such as PMU, Unibet, Betclic, and Parions Sport) have established a foothold in France. However, akin to physical casinos, online casinos remain conspicuously absent in the French market. Could this be the next evolution?

AND NOW?

Despite the striking absence of casinos in Paris, the rapid establishment of eight gaming clubs within a short timeframe, alongside the emergence of an online gaming market facilitating cross-border play for French, Spanish, and Portuguese players, indicates a promising horizon for the gambling landscape in France.

As for the hopefuls dreaming of a casino in Paris, the laws governing Gaming Circles in Paris, rooted in regulations from 1901, underwent modernization and adaptation to contemporary market needs in 2018, paving the way for the creation of Gaming Clubs: who’s to say it won’t be possible for casinos too someday?

DISCOVER OUR CASINO GAMES