Casinò di Campione d'Italia — casino in Campione d'Italia

Casinò di Campione is a unique establishment located in the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia, surrounded on all sides by Switzerland on the shore of Lake Lugano. The gaming house opened back in 1917, originally as a venue for gathering diplomatic intelligence during the First World War. In 2007 the casino moved into a futuristic nine-storey building designed by the famous Swiss architect Mario Botta — one of the largest casinos in Europe. Because of the enclave's special status, more lenient rules historically applied here, and for a long time transactions were conducted in Swiss francs. In 2018 the establishment went bankrupt and closed, leaving the town without its main source of income, but in 2022 it reopened its doors. The picturesque location amid the Alps, the calm waters of Lake Lugano and the avant-garde architecture make a visit here especially memorable.