As one of Europe's premier winter sports destinations, Austria welcomes millions of foreign visitors every year, and many of them enjoy a visit to a casino as part of their stay. Austria casinos are to be found throughout the country, not only in the capital, Vienna, and other major cities, but also in popular tourist destinations like Salzburg and Baden, and ski resorts such as Kitzbuhel and Innsbruck. Additionally, Austria casinos are very popular with Austrian nationals, who share the German love of card games that has made casinos so popular in that country in recent years.
Austria casinos are owned and operated by Casinos Austria, which was founded in 1967 and based in the Palais Ephrussi in Vienna. In addition to 12 casinos in Austria, Casinos Austria also operates casino facilities in other countries, including several European countries, but also Canada, Argentina, Egypt, and South Africa, and even a casino in the Palestinian territories, though this is currently closed due to the security situation. Casinos Austria also offers online gaming facilities, which are becoming increasingly popular due to their ease of use and convenience.
Austria casinos, like casinos in most other European countries, usually have a dress code for players at the gaming tables. Admission is free, and most casinos offer a "bonus ticket," which gives guests a small number of additional chips to play with when they purchase a certain amount of credit. As with many other countries, a photographic ID is required for registration purposes, though this can be done on the spot, and guests must be over 18. Several Austria casinos are situated in hotels, and special packages are available for visitors.
Austria casinos are open every day except Christmas Eve, apart from the seasonal casino at Bad Gastein, which only opens during the winter months to cater to the foreign tourist trade. Many casinos have "teaching tables," where novices can learn the various games without risking their shirt on the spin of the wheel! All the usual games are available, including American and French Roulette, blackjack, poker, and baccarat, and of course, the usual range of slot machines.
The largest casino in Austria is the Casino Baden, which has 36 gaming tables and over 300 slot machines. In addition, there are casinos in Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, and Vienna, which are popular with visitors and locals alike. Austria casinos are extremely professionally run and a worthwhile addition to any visit to the country.
