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This article was first published 10 years ago

A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den

Last updated on: May 22, 2014 12:43 IST

Image: Agata Babagelata of Poland, a casino public relations employee, poses in the Salle Medecin at the Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco.
Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

It may not be the biggest casino in the world or the most expensive one but Monte Carlo Casino is surely among the grandest. And it has rarely been photographed from inside.

Reuters’ photographer Eric Gaillard got a rare opportunity to do a project on the casino. The management gave him permission after nine months of his initial request to photograph the facility.

Monte Carlo Casino is one of the first major casinos in the world that was inaugurated in 1863.

Even before the visitor enters the casino, he/she is blown away with the state of Monaco. Perched above the Mediterranean and bounded by the French and Italian coastlines on either side, Monaco is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Monte Carlo Casino adds to its beauty.

And despite several expansion projects, the casino has retained most of its original architecture. The moment a visitor enters through the front door he is transformed to a different era.

The architecture of glamorous Belle Epoque building of the Monte Carlo Casino was used by Ian Fleming in his first Bond novel, Casino Royale in 1953.

In fact, Monte Carlo and its casino were the locations for a number of James Bond movies, including Never Say Never Again and GoldenEye. And the casino has also served as a filming location for the film Ocean’s Twelve.

A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Frenchman Roland Ceccotti, the head of valet parking and doorman, poses in front of the Casino de Monte Carlo.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

A luxury car is parked in front of the majestic entrance of Casino de Monte Carlo.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Sabine Lorand of France poses at the entrance desk of the Casino de Monte Carlo.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Barmen Damien Dellerba (L) and Sylvain Pastoret of France, pose in front of their bar in the private rooms of the Salle Blanche at the Casino de Monte Carlo.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Slot machine cleaner Chantal Duhomme of France poses in the Salle Europe at the Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Casino room manager Eric Ferrus of France poses in the Salle Medecin at the Casino de Monte Carlo.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Information signs are seen in the Salle Medecin at the Casino de Monte Carlo.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters
Croupier Pascal Lavagna of Monaco poses in the Salle Medecin at the Casino de Monte Carlo.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Gilbert Luciano of Italy, who is in charge of casino cards and stocks, poses inside his stock room.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Barman Vincenzo Pentasuglia of Italy poses behind the bar in the Salon Europe.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

A croupier sets up plaques, with a value of 200,000 euros ($274,380) each (foreground), in the private rooms of the Salle Blanche.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Gaming workshop employee Yves Mattieux of France uses a spirit level in the private rooms of the Salle Blanche.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Rene Vitali of Monaco uses a vacuum cleaner on a gambling table in the Salle Medecin.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Slot machine technician Remi Fau of France poses in the Salle Europe at the Casino de Monte Carlo.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Slot machine mechanic Christopher Hope of Britain poses in the Salon Europe.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Chef Thierry Saez-Manzanares of France poses in the Train Bleu restaurant at the Casino de Monte Carlo.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Casino footman Eric Bezzo of Monaco poses in the Salle Touzet.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Customer Service Manager Celine Alberola of France poses with her team at the Casino de Monte Carlo.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Gaming workshop tapestry maker Fabien Bazzini of France puts the final touches to the embroidery of a gambling table.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Parking valet Bo Hagstrom of Sweden poses near a Rolls Royce classic automobile in front of the Casino de Monte Carlo.

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A rare look inside world's most spectacular gambling den


Photographs: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Eric Biancheri, the head of valet parking, poses in front of the Casino de Monte Carlo building.