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Monte Carlo is the wealthiest of Monaco's four quarters, sometimes it is referred to it as to the country's capital, even though there formally is none. Monte Carlo is known mainly for its casinos, gambling, glamour, and for sightings of famous people. Local people are exempted from taxes but they are not allowed to enter Gaming rooms in casinos.
The Casino de Monte Carlo is located in the heart of Monte Carlo. It was designed by Charles Garnier, the legendary architect who built also the majestic Paris Opera. It was dedicated from the outset to the art of gaming. The building was built in 1863 and it is overlooking the Mediterranean. This architectural masterpiece has been the scene of Monte-Carlo's finest hours, spawned prestigious resorts and provided gaming with its most elegant setting. It was built in “royal” style period decorations. The “Belle Époque” architecture was popular during the reign of Napoleon III.
Inside one should take note of the Bohemian glass chandeliers, rococo ceilings, lots of marble, gold fixtures, with tables of the finest wood and intricate design. In the Atrium one will notice its 28 Ionic columns, across the Renaissance Hall to the main gambling hall, which is divided into two rooms, or salles: the American Room and the European Room. There are slots machines in American Room; in European Room one can play American and European versions of roulette, baccarat or chemin-de-fer. There are other three bigger rooms, Rose Hall – a lively room set aside for video poker players; Private Salons featuring baccarat and chemin-de-fer and Salon Super Prive that is opened only on appointment. As far as other “gaming rooms” are concerned, they are featuring stained glass windows, admirable decorations and sculptures, allegorical paintings and bronze lamps.
Within the casino complex there is the Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo, an opera and ballet house, and the headquarters of the Ballets de Monte Carlo. It is situated in the room called the “Salle Garnier”, which is decorated in red and gold, with a profusion of bas-reliefs, frescoes and sculptures.
The first man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo by discovering and capitalizing on a bias in one of the casino's roulette wheels was Joseph Jagger in 1873 and by this he gained the casino great publicity.