Casinos in St Julian's: Dragonara, Casino Malta and Portomaso compared
Three of Malta's four casinos sit in St Julian's, all open around the clock. We compare Dragonara, Casino Malta and Portomaso on games, minimum bets, food, parking and atmosphere.
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St Julian's is the centre of Malta's nightlife, and it is also where most of the island's casinos are. Three of Malta's four licensed casinos are here: the Dragonara Casino, Casino Malta and the Portomaso Casino. All three are open 24 hours a day and free to enter, but they feel very different. This guide compares them in detail, from games and minimum bets to food, parking and atmosphere, so you can pick the right one for your evening.
The three casinos at a glance
| Dragonara Casino | Casino Malta | Portomaso Casino | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Dragonara Palace, on the tip of the peninsula | Eden Place, St George's Bay, at the InterContinental | Under the Portomaso Business Tower, by the marina |
| Slot machines | Up to 300 | 300+ | About 150 |
| Live tables | Not published | 29 | 14 |
| Roulette from | €2 | Not published | €1 |
| Dress code | Smart casual | Smart casual, no sportswear | Casual, no swimwear |
| Parking | Car park at the casino | InterContinental car park (paid) | Free underground car park |
| Best for | Atmosphere and sea views | The biggest choice of games | Poker and easy parking |
Dragonara Casino: the classic by the sea
The Dragonara is Malta's first casino. It opened in 1964 inside the Dragonara Palace, a summer residence from the 1870s that was built for the Marquis Scicluna and stands on its own headland at the edge of St Julian's. You play under chandeliers and painted ceilings, and the poker room looks straight out over the water.
On the gaming floor you find up to 300 video slots and tables for roulette, blackjack, Punto Banco and Heads Up Hold'em. Roulette starts at €2 and card games at €5. The poker room runs cash games and daily tournaments, and there are video poker machines and progressive jackpots as well.
For a break there is the Brasserie, the casino's restaurant, and a sports bar that combines dining with sports betting.
Choose the Dragonara if you want the most memorable setting, or if this is your one casino visit in Malta.
Casino Malta: the biggest floor
Casino Malta is the newest and largest casino on the island. It is run by Olympic Entertainment Group and opened at the end of 2015 at the InterContinental in St George's Bay, in the middle of the Paceville nightlife area. On 3,000 m² it has more than 300 slot machines and 29 tables.
With 29 tables it has the highest table count that any Malta casino publishes: nine American roulette tables, three Ultimate Texas Hold'em tables, two Mini Punto Banco tables and blackjack. The slot floor mixes classic machines with newer video slots and jackpot games from well-known makers such as Aristocrat and Novomatic.
It is also the place for big poker events: the WSOP Circuit Malta and the Battle of Malta are both held here. The Casino Malta Bar is 15 metres long, and the Eden Sports Bar is open around the clock with pizza, burgers and snacks.
Choose Casino Malta if you want the widest choice of slots and tables, or a lively night that starts or ends in Paceville.
Portomaso Casino: poker and free parking
The Portomaso Casino sits one level below the Portomaso Business Tower, next to the Hilton and the yacht marina. It has been one of Europe's best-known poker venues since it hosted its first international tournament in 2008, with four separate poker areas on 4,000 m².
Away from the poker tables, you can play roulette from €1, blackjack, Punto Banco, WPT Heads-Up Hold'em and Three Card Prime, plus around 150 slot machines from makers such as IGT, Aristocrat, Novomatic and Williams.
The restaurant is being refurbished at the moment, but a snack menu is served every day from 11:00 to midnight, and there is a lounge bar.
Choose Portomaso if you play poker, if you want low roulette stakes, or if you are coming by car: the underground car park has 1,500 free spaces and never closes.
Games compared: what you can play where
All three casinos offer the classics, but the choice differs.
| Game | Dragonara | Casino Malta | Portomaso |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roulette | Yes, from €2 | Yes, 9 American roulette tables | Yes, from €1 |
| Blackjack | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Punto Banco | Yes | Mini Punto Banco, 2 tables | Yes |
| Poker table games | Heads Up Hold'em | Ultimate Texas Hold'em, 3 tables | WPT Heads-Up Hold'em, Three Card Prime |
| Poker room | Daily tournaments, cash games | Poker club, major festivals | 4 poker areas, weekly schedule |
| Slot machines | Up to 300 | 300+ | About 150 |
If slots are your main interest, Casino Malta and the Dragonara have the biggest floors. If you want to try several table games in one evening, Casino Malta has the most tables. For a long poker session, Portomaso is the specialist.
Food and drink
- Dragonara Casino: the Brasserie for a proper dinner, plus a sports bar.
- Casino Malta: the 15-metre Casino Malta Bar for cocktails and the Eden Sports Bar, open 24 hours, for pizza, burgers and snacks.
- Portomaso Casino: a snack menu from 11:00 to midnight while the restaurant is being refurbished, and a lounge bar.
St Julian's itself is full of restaurants, especially around Spinola Bay and the Portomaso marina, so many visitors eat out first and go to the casino afterwards.
Getting there and getting around
All three casinos are in St Julian's, so you can combine them with dinner or a night out in the same area.
- Dragonara Casino is on the headland at the edge of the town, at the end of Dragonara Road. It has its own car park.
- Casino Malta is at Eden Place on St Augustine Street in St George's Bay, at the InterContinental hotel. The hotel car park is paid.
- Portomaso Casino is under the Portomaso Business Tower, a tall glass tower that is easy to spot. Its underground car park is free and open 24 hours.
If you are staying elsewhere on the island, Portomaso is the most convenient choice by car. Taxis and ride apps are widely used in St Julian's at night, which is the simplest option if you plan to have a drink.
What all three have in common
- Open 24/7. Restaurants, some tables and poker tournaments keep their own hours.
- Free entry. You register once at the reception with a passport or ID card.
- Age limits. Visitors from abroad must be 18, Maltese citizens 25.
- No beachwear. Long trousers and a clean shirt or top work everywhere.
You can read the details in our guide to Malta casino entry rules.
Tips for your first visit
- Bring your passport or ID card. Without a valid document you cannot register.
- Set a budget before you go and treat it as the price of a night out.
- Start at a low-stakes table. Roulette from €1 at Portomaso or €2 at the Dragonara is an easy way to learn.
- Ask the staff. If you are new to a game, ask how it works before you sit down.
- Check the day's schedule if you want to play a tournament or a specific game.
Which St Julian's casino should you choose?
- For the atmosphere: Dragonara Casino
- For the most slots and tables: Casino Malta
- For poker: Portomaso Casino, or Casino Malta during the big festivals
- For low stakes: Portomaso Casino, with roulette from €1
- If you come by car: Portomaso Casino
- For a first casino visit in Malta: Dragonara Casino
Staying in the north of the island instead? Malta's fourth casino, the Oracle in Qawra, is known for its low stakes and seafront setting. You will find all four in our casino ranking.
Casinos in this guide
Frequently asked questions
How many casinos are there in St Julian's?
There are three: the Dragonara Casino, Casino Malta and the Portomaso Casino. Malta's fourth casino, the Oracle, is in Qawra in the north of the island.
Which casino in St Julian's is the best?
It depends on what you want. The Dragonara has the most impressive setting in a historic palace by the sea, Casino Malta has the biggest choice of slots and tables, and Portomaso is the best-known address for poker.
Are the casinos in St Julian's open at night?
Yes. All three casinos are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Restaurants, some table games and poker tournaments can have shorter hours.
Which casino in St Julian's has free parking?
The Portomaso Casino has a free underground car park with 1,500 spaces that is open around the clock. The Dragonara has its own car park, and Casino Malta uses the paid car park of the InterContinental.
What is the minimum bet in the St Julian's casinos?
Roulette starts at €1 at the Portomaso Casino and at €2 at the Dragonara Casino, where card games start at €5. Casino Malta does not publish its table minimums.
Do I have to pay to enter a casino in St Julian's?
No. Entry is free at all three casinos. On your first visit you register at the reception with a passport or ID card. Visitors from abroad must be 18, Maltese citizens 25.
Opening hours, minimum bets, prices and games can change at any time. Please check with the casino before you visit. All information is provided without guarantee.
