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Gamble
the holidays away
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Even
when the chips were down during the war Italy's
casinos kept their doors open to a public trying
to escape from the harsh realities of everyday life.
Italy's four casinos still draw crowds ready to
risk their money in the hope that Lady Luck will
look their way.
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 The
Saint-Vincent Casino is a popular destination
with Italian gamblers. Located in the magnificent
surrounds of the Valle d’Aosta, the Casino has been
turning cards and tossing dice since 1947 with
a staggering (Casino's own figures) 800,000 visitors
per year. Saint-Vincent can thank the Regione
Autonoma della Valle d'Aosta for its 90 card
tables and 440 slot machines which are well advertised
through a series of card drives and tournaments
throughout the area. Entrance to the casino costs
5 Euros on weekdays and holidays, 10 Euros on Saturdays
and before holidays. There is a bus link
from Milan to the Casino which can be booked
at the Vita Tour agency (+39-02-39214779). Contact
the agency for prices and times.
The Campione
d'Italia Casino (Italian only) is in a rather
odd location. The casino is in the Italo-Swiss town
of Campione on the lake of Lugano. To get there
you have to cross the border at Brogeda (Milan-Como
motorway). There's an interesting section dedicated
to gambling rules as well as a news page on the
casino's website. It goes without saying that the
news focuses on the lucky winners who head home
with their pockets stuffed with money (that is if
they haven't opened a bank account in Switzerland
before they leave).
Sanremo seems to be the poor relation of
Italy's more famous casinos, although it now boasts
its own website
(with some well-hidden parts in English). The casino's
turnover for the eight months of 2001 was 115 million
Euros, with a 10% drop in gamblers with respect
to the previous year. Built by the architect Eugène
Ferret in 1905 it has a prominent position in
the town's centre. It still has an inviting air
despite its age and offers a wide range of entertainment.
Venice's
Casino is Italy's highest earner and looks to
continue that way with its new seat in Malta. The
Venice casino opens from 11am until dawn and offers
a range of slot machines and gambling halls. Dress,
according to the site, can be casual but we recommend
you bring a jacket. You can write to assistenza
for all the gambling information you may need. Well,
maybe not all . . .
Contact the individual casinos for opening times.
All casinos will be closed on December 24thand 25th.
We bet they'll be full after that!
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| by
MARCELLO
PARMEGGIANI |
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Dec.
21st, 2001
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THE SURVIVOR'S 
