Casino Estoril is Europe's largest gaming and leisure complex, located in the Portuguese Riviera just 18 km from Lisbon. Established in 1916, it combines world-class gaming facilities with exceptional entertainment, fine dining, and cultural exhibitions.
Casino Estoril stands as Europe's largest operational casino and entertainment complex, strategically positioned in the Portuguese Riviera within the municipality of Cascais. Located just 18 kilometers from Lisbon and 20 kilometers from Humberto Delgado International Airport, this legendary establishment has maintained its status as a premier gaming and leisure destination since its foundation stone was laid in 1916. The complex operates daily from 3 PM to 3 AM, offering visitors an unparalleled combination of gaming facilities, cultural exhibitions, fine dining, and world-class entertainment programming.
The casino's reputation extends far beyond its gaming floors. During World War II, Casino Estoril became a legendary meeting point for spies, dispossessed royalty, and international adventurers, directly inspiring Ian Fleming's iconic James Bond novel Casino Royale. This rich historical legacy continues to attract tourists and gaming enthusiasts from around the world, contributing to the facility's consolidated international prestige. In 2024 alone, Casino Estoril awarded over 531 million euros in jackpots, demonstrating its position as a major player in the European gaming industry.
The journey of Casino Estoril began on January 16, 1916, when then-President Dr. Bernardino Machado laid the first stone for what would become a venture of Fausto Figueiredo. The casino's strategic location in Estoril, combined with Portugal's neutral status during World War II, transformed it into an international hub where intelligence operatives, exiled European nobility, and fortune seekers converged, creating an atmosphere of intrigue that would later inspire literary and cinematic portrayals of espionage and high-stakes gambling.
In 1958, the casino passed into the hands of José Teodoro dos Santos, marking the beginning of a significant expansion period. Throughout the 1960s, the primitive building underwent substantial development under the architectural direction of Filipe Nobre de Figueiredo and José Segurado, with civil engineering support from Manuel Agostinho Duarte Gaspar. The interior design was entrusted to renowned designers Daciano da Costa and José Espinho, establishing the sophisticated aesthetic that characterizes the casino today.
Following José Teodoro dos Santos' death in 1987, the concession was managed by a family consortium including his widow Marcelina Teodoro dos Santos, his son Jorge Teodoro dos Santos, and his daughter Maria Emilia Teodoro dos Santos Telles. The administrative council was headed by Santos' son-in-law Dr. Manuel Joaquim Telles, who also managed the Estoril-Sol five-star hotel. After 1987, majority interest was acquired by Stanley Ho, with administration transitioning to Mário Assis Ferreira, who continues as President today.
In 2022, Estoril Sol, controlled by Stanley Ho's daughter Pansy Ho, successfully secured the renewed gaming license for both Casino Estoril and Casino Lisboa. The management company reported 80.6 million euros in net revenue for 2021, demonstrating the continued financial strength and market position of the operation across multiple casino properties in Portugal.
Casino Estoril offers seven distinct categories of gaming experiences, each designed to cater to different player preferences and skill levels. The gaming floor features professional dealers, multilingual support staff, and state-of-the-art equipment ensuring optimal playing conditions for both novice and experienced gamblers.
Poker at Casino Estoril is characterized by intense player interaction and strategic gameplay. The game requires constant awareness of opponents' gestures and decisions, creating an environment where players must skillfully determine when to fold, bluff, or call. The poker rooms provide a professional setting where this extremely popular game of chance unfolds with proper etiquette and competitive spirit.
Roulette represents the classic casino experience with its elegant simplicity. The dealer successively throws the ball onto a rotating cylinder, and players watch with anticipation as it eventually settles on the winning number. This game of apparent simplicity has captivated casino visitors for generations, offering straightforward betting options with the excitement of chance.
Blackjack stands as one of the most popular casino games worldwide, distinguished by its simple objective and fast-paced gameplay. Players compete against the dealer to achieve a hand value of 21 or as close as possible without exceeding it. The game's straightforward rules combined with strategic decision-making make it accessible to newcomers while offering depth for experienced players.
Casino Estoril operates under strict gaming regulations managed by Estoril Sol SGPS, controlled by Pansy Ho following the 2022 license renewal. The facility maintains the highest standards in responsible gaming, customer service, and entertainment programming, with operations running daily from 3 PM to 3 AM.
The complex features comprehensive gaming areas including poker rooms, roulette tables, blackjack stations, Caribbean Stud Poker, Baccarat, French Bank, and over 200 slot machines with high-definition graphics. Access is controlled with specific entry conditions ensuring a premium gaming environment for all visitors.
Caribbean Stud Poker represents a unique poker variant where players compete directly against the house rather than other players. This no-discard poker modality offers the exciting possibility of winning progressive jackpots worth tens of thousands of euros, adding an extra dimension of excitement to the traditional poker experience.
Baccarat brings traditional elegance to the gaming floor. Players can place bets on the Banker, the Point, or the Tie, with additional betting options including Point Pair and Banker Pair. This classic card game maintains its reputation as a sophisticated choice for discerning casino visitors.
Despite its name, French Bank is actually a game of Portuguese origin played with three dice thrown by the croupier. This unique game was historically exclusive to Portuguese casinos, making it a distinctive offering that connects Casino Estoril to its national gaming heritage.
Casino Estoril features hundreds of slot machines offering over 200 different games with high-definition graphics and immersive sound systems. These modern gaming machines provide guaranteed entertainment across a wide range of themes and betting levels, accommodating casual players and serious slot enthusiasts alike.
The culinary offerings at Casino Estoril match the quality of its gaming facilities, with two distinct restaurants providing exceptional dining experiences that have earned recognition from international food critics.
Estoril Mandarim has established itself as one of the finest Cantonese restaurants in Portugal according to international food critics. The restaurant specializes in authentic cuisine from the Guangdong region, prepared using traditional techniques and imported ingredients to ensure authenticity. The elegant dining environment complements the sophisticated menu, creating a complete gastronomic experience that transports diners to the culinary heart of Canton.
The Bistrô restaurant celebrates Portuguese culinary traditions, offering exquisite service alongside the best specialties of national cuisine. The menu takes diners on a gastronomic journey from Portugal's northern regions to the south and islands, showcasing the diversity and richness of authentic Portuguese flavors. The restaurant's commitment to traditional preparation methods and quality ingredients has made it a favorite among both locals and international visitors seeking genuine Portuguese dining experiences.
Beyond gaming and dining, Casino Estoril has established itself as a major cultural venue, hosting concerts, theatrical productions, art exhibitions, and special events throughout the year. The complex features two primary entertainment venues designed to accommodate different types of performances and audience sizes.
The Salão Preto e Prata stands as the reference performance venue within Casino Estoril, functioning as both a prestigious show and dining room. With capacity for 1,000 guests and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, this space has earned recognition as a true show cathedral in Portugal. The venue selectively curates an artistic program of excellence, hosting major international conferences, concerts, and theatrical productions. Its versatility allows it to transform from an intimate dinner theater to a full-scale concert hall, making it one of the most sought-after performance spaces in the region.
The modern auditorium accommodates 350 people and serves multiple functions including congresses, jazz performances, theater productions, classical music concerts, and contemporary shows. This flexible space provides excellent acoustics and sightlines, ensuring quality experiences across diverse programming. The auditorium's technical capabilities support professional productions while maintaining an intimate atmosphere that connects performers with audiences.
Casino Estoril's art gallery ranks among the most prestigious in Portugal, featuring permanent exhibitions of painting and sculpture alongside rotating displays. The gallery currently showcases works including Maramgoní's Fragments of Lisbon collection, demonstrating the casino's commitment to promoting visual arts and providing cultural enrichment beyond entertainment and gaming.
Casino Estoril operates with specific access conditions and provides comprehensive facilities to ensure visitor comfort and convenience. The complex is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility, featuring appropriate infrastructure throughout the premises.
The casino is situated at Avenida Dr. Stanley Ho, Edifício do Casino Estoril, 2765-190 Estoril, in the coastal area of the municipality of Cascais. GPS coordinates are Latitude 38°42'25.97 N and Longitude 9°23'53.64 W. Visitors can reach the facility approximately 20 kilometers from Humberto Delgado Airport via the A5 motorway, or take a 30-minute train journey from Lisbon.
Casino Estoril operates Monday through Sunday from 3:00 PM to 3:00 AM, closing only on December 24th. The complex provides extensive parking facilities with 100 spaces next to the main entrance and an additional 300 spaces adjacent to the north side entrance, ensuring convenient access for all visitors.
The casino offers comprehensive amenities including a cloakroom, taxi stand, ATM machines, and a tobacco shop. The Auditorium ticket office operates Friday to Saturday from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on evening session days, and Sundays from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM for afternoon sessions. These services ensure visitors have everything needed for a comfortable and convenient experience.
Casino Estoril represents the pinnacle of European gaming and entertainment complexes, combining over a century of history with modern facilities and world-class programming. Its unique position as Europe's largest casino, coupled with exceptional dining options, cultural exhibitions, and entertainment venues, creates a comprehensive leisure destination that extends far beyond traditional gaming. The facility's legendary past, including its World War II espionage connections and inspiration for James Bond literature, adds cultural significance to its contemporary operations. Whether visitors seek gaming excitement, culinary excellence, cultural enrichment, or world-class entertainment, Casino Estoril delivers experiences that justify its consolidated international prestige and continued success in the competitive European gaming market.
Casino Estoril operates Monday through Sunday from 3:00 PM to 3:00 AM. The casino is closed only on December 24th each year.
Casino Estoril is located 18 kilometers from Lisbon city center and 20 kilometers from Humberto Delgado International Airport. Visitors can reach the casino via the A5 motorway or take a 30-minute train journey from Lisbon.
Casino Estoril offers seven gaming categories including Poker, Roulette, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Baccarat, French Bank, and over 200 slot machines with high-definition graphics and sound.
The casino features two premium restaurants: Estoril Mandarim, recognized as one of Portugal's finest Cantonese restaurants, and Bistrô, which specializes in traditional Portuguese cuisine from all regions of the country.
Yes, Casino Estoril is fully prepared to receive people with reduced mobility, with appropriate accessibility infrastructure throughout the complex.
The casino features two main entertainment venues: Salão Preto e Prata with capacity for 1,000 guests and state-of-the-art technology, and a modern auditorium seating 350 people for concerts, theater, and conferences.
Casino Estoril was established in 1916 and became famous during World War II as a meeting point for spies and international figures. It directly inspired Ian Fleming's James Bond novel Casino Royale, adding to its legendary status.
Casino Estoril provides 400 total parking spaces, with 100 spaces next to the main entrance and 300 spaces adjacent to the north side entrance.
Casino Estoril collaborates with leading entertainment and hospitality brands to deliver exceptional experiences.
Experience exceptional cuisine at two distinct restaurants. Estoril Mandarim offers authentic Cantonese cuisine recognized as one of Portugal's finest, while Bistrô celebrates traditional Portuguese flavors from north to south.
Casino Estoril features two premier entertainment spaces. The prestigious Salão Preto e Prata accommodates 1,000 guests with cutting-edge technology, while the modern auditorium seats 350 for concerts, theater, and conferences.
Casino Estoril awarded over 531 million euros in jackpots during 2024, marking a record year for player winnings.
Casino Estoril Gardens will host Carolina Deslandes, Nininho Vaz Maia, Agir, and Matias Damásio on December 30th and 31st.
Estoril Sol, controlled by Pansy Ho, successfully renewed the gaming license for Casino Estoril and Casino Lisboa operations.