Casinos at ski resorts in the Alps

For many who go on a ski holiday to the Alps, après-ski and evening parties are a big part of the experience. But for those interested in gambling, there's another kind of evening entertainment that might appeal more-namely, casinos. Sitting down at a roulette table or in front of a croupier at a blackjack table can be incredibly relaxing and a stark contrast to standing in a crowded, lively, and noisy bar.

However, finding a ski resort with a casino (and we're not just talking about a local pub with a few slot machines) is actually not that common. We should be clear that you shouldn't expect a casino in the flashy Monaco style, in a classical building adorned with Roman statues by the entrance. The casinos you'll find here are smaller, often more modern than what one might normally expect from a casino.

The Best Casinos at Ski Resorts in the Alps

Here you'll find the nine best casinos in various ski resorts in the Alps, plus a bonus tip in Italy that doesn't fully meet the criteria to make the list but is still worth mentioning. We primarily ranked them based on their Google Maps ratings from visitors and, in cases of the same rating, secondly based on the charm of the building and the casino's interior. Of course, we've only included physical casinos that you can visit on-site.

Notably, before we start the list, all these casinos offer essentially the same games-they all have standard tables with croupiers for roulette, blackjack, and poker (usually Texas Hold'em), as well as numerous slot machines and electronic games of various kinds.

1. Casino Kitzbühel, Austria

Google Maps Rating: 4.3
At the Austrian ski resort of Kitzbühel, you'll find Casino Kitzbühel, located in probably the most beautiful building of all casinos at ski resorts in the Alps. The building is a large white structure in classic Austrian alpine style with various murals on the facade and is virtually impossible to miss when strolling through Kitzbühel.

The casino's slot machines open at 3 p.m., while the blackjack, roulette, and poker tables open at 6 p.m.

2. Casino Seefeld, Austria

Google Maps Rating: 4.3
Seefeld in the Austrian Alps isn't a very well-known ski resort, but it's one of the best ski resorts in the Alps for cross-country skiing. While the downhill skiing is decent, Seefeld also has a casino with the classically imaginative name Casino Seefeld. The casino occupies several older interconnected buildings, and while this might sound unconventional, it's one of the finer casinos in the Alps, especially considering it's quite charming inside for an alpine casino.

In addition to regular games, poker tournaments are held from time to time, and compared to many other casinos on this list, Casino Seefeld is generally more lively with various events. Regular hours are from 2 p.m. to 3 a.m.

3. Spielbank Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Google Maps Rating: 4.3
In Germany's largest and most famous ski resort, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, located in the German Alps, you'll find a casino, or "Spielbank" as they're often called in German. Spielbank Garmisch-Partenkirchen has been in the same place since 1955. The building is a charming, classic alpine-style structure centrally located in the small town. The casino opens in the afternoon at 4 p.m. and closes at 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends.

4. Casino Circus, Crans Montana, Switzerland

Google Maps Rating: 4.3
The popular Swiss ski resort Crans Montana also has a casino, called Casino Circus. The casino's architecture isn't anything special-the building resembles an old warehouse, with a front that looks like an outdated cinema. But inside, the place fully serves its purpose as a casino, as evidenced by the relatively high rating from visitors.

It offers two roulette tables, three blackjack tables, and one Texas Hold'em table, along with the usual slot machines and electronic games. On weekends, Casino Circus in Crans Montana is open until 5 a.m., making it the casino in the Alps where you can play the latest into the night.

5. Casino St. Moritz, Switzerland

Google Maps Rating: 4.1
The luxury ski resort of St. Moritz wouldn't be a luxury resort without offering a casino. Casino St. Moritz is small but has a flashy interior and enforces a slightly stricter dress code (smart casual) than many others. It's centrally located in St. Moritz, and generally, Casino St. Moritz is open daily until 3 a.m.

6. Casino Zell am See, Austria

Google Maps Rating: 4.0
Perhaps Austria's most glamorous ski resort, Zell am See, also has a casino. Casino Zell am See, part of the same group as the casinos in Kitzbühel and Seefeld, is beautifully situated by Lake Zell, on the same peninsula where you'll find the Grand Hotel in Zell am See. Note that as an entrance fee, it is required to buy gaming chips of 30 euros minimum .

7. Stelsia Casino Megève, France

Google Maps Rating: 3.8
Stelsia Casino Megève isn't housed in a classic building or a modern glass structure typical of casinos but rather in a traditional chalet-style wooden building. Inside, though, it has the classic slot machine atmosphere. It offers blackjack and roulette tables but lacks poker tables.

In addition to gaming, the casino has two bars and a restaurant, making it popular even among skiers who aren't there to gamble. Notably, a previous casino in Megève called Casino Barrière is no longer in operation.

8. Casino Davos, Switzerland

Google Maps Rating: 3.6
In the famous Swiss town and ski resort of Davos, you'll find Casino Davos, located centrally next to Hotel Europé and not far from the Davos Platz Schatzalpbahn funicular. The building and interior are modern, with a touch of Las Vegas style. Opening hours are from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., and there's a 5 CHF entry fee.

9. Casino Le Royal, Chamonix, France

Google Maps Rating: 3.5
In the beautiful and popular town of Chamonix in the French Alps, you'll find Casino Le Royal, located in the heart of the town. The casino is housed in one of Chamonix's prominent old buildings, but the casino's interior is more modern. It also features a popular restaurant of the same name. Regular opening hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Casino de la Vallée in Italy's Aosta Valley

No Italian ski resorts made this list, and the reason is simply that there are no ski resorts in Italy with a casino. However, there's a large casino in the Aosta Valley, actually one of Europe's largest, called Casino de la Vallée (also known as Casino di Saint-Vincent, or Saint-Vincent Resort & Casino), about an hour north of Turin. This casino is much larger than those already mentioned and has a rich history, having opened in 1946, shortly after World War II.

Unlike the other casinos on this list with a limited game selection (roulette, blackjack, poker, slot machines, and various electronic games), Casino de la Vallée also offers games at real gambling tables like baccarat (Chemin de Fer), craps, and Caribbean poker. There are also significantly more tables for each game here.

Why mention this casino if it's not in a ski resort? While there's no skiing in the town of Saint-Vincent, it's in the Aosta Valley, so many great ski resorts are nearby. Examples include Courmayeur, Champoluc, La Thuile and Breuil-Cervinia, all within a 45-minute drive from Casino de la Vallée. Although it's more complicated to reach it compared to having a casino within the resort, it's certainly possible to combine your ski trip with a visit to this large casino from the ski resorts mentioned above.

Things to Remember if You Plan to Visit an Alpine Casino

If you're interested in visiting any of these casinos, remember that you can't just walk in wearing ski clothes and boots; a somewhat proper dress code is required. Most places don't demand a suit or even a blazer, but it's best to dress in the nicest clothes you have with you to be safe. Wearing shoes other than sneakers is preferred, but each place has its own dress code requirements, so check before you travel to avoid having to buy clothes just to be let in.

Another important point is the age requirement. Just like in most European countries, you must be at least 18 years old at all these casinos, and if you look young, bring ID. Ideally, bring your passport, as there's no guarantee that your country's driver's license will be accepted as identification.