Now you have to register for biometric (fingerprints, picture taken) access to enter the casino (even if you only want to have a drink in the lounge or dinner in the bistrô). Bistrô offers interesting allinclusive dinner menu (starter-main-dessert&wine/water/beer...) for 21 Euro pp. Good value for money, friendly service. The lounge serves cocktails for correct prices and often offers live music for free.

We were excited to see the largest casino in Europe. The one that inspired Bond? We got there and it’s …fine. Looks like an older shopping mall from the outside, and feels like that on the inside. I played blackjack and it was perfectly pleasant. I don’t think it’s worth a special trip just to see it, especially if you’ve seen modern casinos in Vegas/Macau or the glamorous/historic casino in Monte Carlo. I will say I appreciated that blackjack still pays out at 3/2 and dealer has to stay on soft 17 (some casinos in Vegas are making it less player friendly).

We went during the day to visit Casino Estoril and I found it fascinating. It's giant, colorful, beautiful!!! The place is huge and has a multitude of slot machines. On the second floor there is a huge room where there are roulettes, cards and others that I don't even know the name of. We went down a few steps and the feeling of being in a movie scene was sensational. It's a shame you're not allowed to take photos inside. We didn't play anything, but just seeing it was worth it.