Grand Casino Helsinki

Description:

• With enough distractions to amuse and divert gamblers and nongamblers alike, this is the only full-scale casino in Finland. Built in the 1920s, and renovated frequently since then, it offers games that include slot machines (at least 300 machines), roulette, blackjack, poker, and sicbo, a "throw the dice" game whose origins are deep within ancient China. The cover charge is minimal: A day ticket that includes cloak room service costs 3€ ($4.80); otherwise, there are no costs involved other than what you opt to put at risk on any of the games of chance. On the premises there are two bars, a restaurant, and a cabaret-theater where young women in glittery costumes strut their stuff along with magic acts and chansons or lieder in a barrage of languages. Showtime is usually every Wednesday to Saturday at 7:30pm. A four-course prix-fixe menu, which includes access to the show, costs between 66€ to 90€ ($106-$144), depending on what you order. The casino is adjacent to the train station. Residents of the European Union must present an official ID card; residents of countries outside the European Union must present a valid passport. Dress codes inside are casual: jackets and ties for men are not required. Open daily noon to 4am.

• © Frommer's 2013