Casino de Spa — casino in Spa

Casino de Spa lays claim to being the oldest casino in the world: its history dates back to 1763, when the lavish gaming house La Redoute was opened for the aristocracy in the Belgian thermal town of Spa. It was this resort with its healing springs that gave the world the very word "spa", and for centuries its halls received European nobility who came to restore their health and try their luck. The current neoclassical building with its ornate interiors, stucco and historic theatre preserves the spirit of the gallant 18th century, yet offers a thoroughly modern set of games — roulette, blackjack, poker and slot machines. The intimate, almost club-like atmosphere stands in sharp contrast to the giants of Vegas and Macau: people come here for an elegant evening, not a loud show. Spa is also famous for its proximity to the legendary Spa-Francorchamps racing circuit, so the casino is often visited by guests of the Formula 1 events. It is a living museum of Europe's gambling culture.