Spielbank Wiesbaden (Kurhaus) — casino in Wiesbaden

The Wiesbaden casino is housed in the majestic Kurhaus — a neoclassical palace ceremonially opened by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1907. The city's gambling tradition is far older: in the 19th century Wiesbaden was a fashionable thermal spa town where European aristocracy gathered. It was here, in 1865, that Fyodor Dostoevsky played and lost, and the Wiesbaden roulette wheels largely inspired his novel "The Gambler." The classic gaming hall with crystal chandeliers, stucco and columns is considered one of the most beautiful in Germany. After gambling was banned in 1872, the casino was revived in 1949 and today combines the historic table hall with a modern slot room in the adjacent building. The Kurhaus is surrounded by a park, with a theatre and colonnades nearby, making a visit part of a stroll through the elegant spa center.