Monte Carlo Monaco (US dollars)

[ArcticInferno]

I’m planning a trip to Monte Carlo very soon.
Do they accept US dollar bills in the casinos?
Or do I need to exchange them first before entering the casino?
Does the casino have currency exchange services?

 

[21forme]

I was there many years ago and at that time all play was in French Francs, so I would assume play is now in Euros.

You can exchange currency in just about any bank, hotel, etc. in Europe, and that would include the casino. As a rule though, the best exchange rate is an ATM machine - just make a withdrawal in the local currency, assuming you can withdraw enough for your play BR.

 

[ArcticInferno]

No, I will need much more than what the ATM can withdraw.
Is it a good idea to exchange to Euros before going there?
And then re-exchange after returining from Monaco.

 

[ArcticInferno]

There're five casinos there:
Le Grand Casino de Monte-Carlo
Monte Carlo Sporting Club & Casino
Sun Casino - Monte-Carlo Grand Hotel
Le Café de Paris
Monte-Carlo Bay Casino
Which one did you go to?
At suggestions for me?

 

[21forme]

NO! Exchanging foreign currency in the US is a major hassle and rip-off. Do all your exchanges in Europe. Try to avoid airport exchanges - the rates are generally poor, though you may need some "pocket change" for expenses like taxis, etc. before your major exchange. Go to a bank in a major city. Rates are posted in their front window.

I went to the Grand Casino. This was a LONG time ago so I can't give you any useful info. Be aware that they consider counting illegal and several memebers of one of the MIT teams were trespassed from the casino AND the country!

 

[ArcticInferno]

What does it mean to be trespassed from the casino and the country?
Do they put you in jail and take your money away?
Will they allow me to return to America?
It’s not like that movie “Midnight Express”. Is it?
If I’m backed off or barred, that’s okay. This may be my first and last visit there.

 

[21forme]

They were told they were not welcome to return to the casino or Monaco and they would be arrested if they did.

Midnight Express, I don't think so BTW, I was in Turkey last year and it was a great place to visit.

 

[UK-21]

They were told they were not welcome to return to the casino or Monaco and they would be arrested if they did.

Midnight Express, I don't think so BTW, I was in Turkey last year and it was a great place to visit.

Hmmm .... being barred from a casino yes, but being barred from the country on the grounds of being suspected of doing something that can't be proven? More a threat than a reality I would think. I'm reasonably sure that, like throughout the EU, the only grounds that someone can be refused entry to a member nation is if (a) there's an arrest warrant out for them or (b) they're seen to be a national security threat. Couldn't see the second one holding much water, although card counters can be a dodgy bunch. The Italian's have used it as the legal grounds for rounding up groups of itinerant Roma that have entered the country and deporting them back to Romania and Albania.