Dragonara Casino Malta: the complete visitor guide

The Dragonara Casino is the oldest casino in Malta and, for many visitors, the most beautiful one. It sits inside a 19th-century palace on its own small peninsula in St Julian's, with the sea on three sides, and it has welcomed players since 1964. This guide covers everything you need before your first visit: the history of the building, entry rules, games and minimum bets, the poker room, food and drink, parking and a few practical tips.

Dragonara Casino at a glance

A palace with a long history

The Dragonara Palace was built in the 1870s as a summer home for Emmanuele Scicluna, a Maltese banker who became the first Marquis Scicluna. The family used it as a seaside retreat, but the building also played a role in Malta's darker years. During the First World War it was turned into a hospital, and during the Second World War the family took in more than 100 refugees.

In 1964 the family leased the palace and its grounds to the Kursaal Company, which opened the Dragonara Casino. It was the first casino in Malta. About twenty years later the government took over the property and granted the right to run the casino to different operators over the years. Since 2012 it has been managed by Peninsula Gaming, the first fully Maltese-owned company to operate it. Today the casino is run by Dragonara Gaming Limited under a licence from the Malta Gaming Authority.

You still see the palace in every room. The gaming floor sits under chandeliers and painted ceilings, and the poker room looks straight out over the Mediterranean. No other casino in Malta has a setting like it.

Entry rules: age, ID and dress code

Visiting the Dragonara is easy, but there are a few rules to know before you go.

• Age. Visitors from abroad must be at least 18 years old. Maltese citizens must be at least 25.
• ID. On your first visit you register at the front desk with a valid ID card or passport. Registration is free.
• Dress code. The casino asks for smart casual clothing. Long trousers or a smart skirt with a clean shirt or top always work. Leave beachwear and sportswear at the hotel.
• Rewards card. At the front desk you also receive a card for the casino's My Rewards programme, which is open to all guests.

If you are planning to visit more than one casino on the island, our guide to Malta casino entry rules compares the rules of all four.

Dragonara Casino games: tables, slots and jackpots

The Dragonara offers the classic casino games in a relaxed setting. Minimum stakes are low enough for a casual evening.

Table games

• Roulette from €2 per bet.
• Blackjack from €5.
• Punto Banco, the casino version of baccarat, played with six decks of cards, from €5.
• Heads Up Hold'em, a poker-style game played against the dealer, from €5.

The casino does not publish maximum bets or separate limits for each table, so ask the croupier if you plan to play higher stakes. If you are new to a game, the dealers will explain it before you sit down, and the casino's website has short guides to Heads Up Hold'em and Punto Banco.

Slot machines

The slot floor has up to 300 machines, from classic slots to modern video slots, plus video poker and progressive jackpots that grow with every bet until someone wins. Among the gaming partners the casino lists are well-known makers such as Aristocrat, IGT, Novomatic, Konami, EGT and Interblock. There is also a dedicated smoking area with its own slots and table games.

Chips and cashing out

Buying chips is simple. Sit down at a free seat, put your cash on the table and the croupier will change it into chips. You can also buy chips at the cash desk. When you are done, take your chips to the cash desk at the back of the gaming floor and the cashier will pay you out.

The Dragonara poker room

Poker has a long tradition at the Dragonara, and the poker room is one of the nicest places to play in Malta thanks to its view of the sea. The casino runs poker tournaments every day, and cash games are available in the evenings. Hold'em is the main game, and Pot Limit Omaha tables run as well for players who want a change.

The casino pauses its tournaments on some dates. At the time of writing, in October 2026, it lists a break from 23 October to 3 November, with cash games only during that period. Check the current schedule on the casino's website before you plan a tournament night. For an overview of all poker rooms on the island, read our guide to poker in Malta.

Food and drink

You do not have to leave the palace for dinner.

• The Brasserie is the casino's restaurant, led by executive chef Claudio Schiavone. The sample menu on the casino's website lists starters from €10, main courses from €16 to €24 and desserts at €4. You can reserve a table online.
• The Sports Bar calls itself Malta's first bet-and-dine concept: you order a meal, place a sports bet and watch the match on the big screens.
• Cocktails are served with views of the Mediterranean, which makes the Dragonara a good place for a drink even if you only play for an hour.

The casino also offers free Wi-Fi.

How a first visit works

1. Arrive with your ID. Go to the front desk with your ID card or passport.
2. Register. Registration is free and takes a few minutes. You receive your My Rewards card.
3. Get chips. Change cash at a table or at the cash desk.
4. Play. Start at a roulette table from €2 or try the slots.
5. Cash out. Take your chips to the cash desk at the back of the gaming floor.

Getting to the Dragonara Casino and parking

The Dragonara stands on the tip of the Tad-Dragun peninsula at the edge of St Julian's, right next to the Paceville nightlife area.

• By car: the casino has its own car park for guests.
• On foot: from Paceville and St George's Bay you can walk to the casino in a few minutes.
• By taxi or ride app: the easiest option at night, especially if you plan to have a drink.

Because it is so close to Paceville, many visitors combine the Dragonara with dinner or a night out in St Julian's.

Dragonara compared with the other Malta casinos

Malta has four licensed land-based casinos. Here is how the Dragonara compares.

Choose the Dragonara for the atmosphere and the views. If you want the widest choice of tables, Casino Malta is bigger, and if you mainly play poker, Portomaso is the specialist. Our comparison of the casinos in St Julian's goes into more detail, and our Malta casino guide covers all four.

Tips for your visit

• Go at sunset. Arrive before dark to see the sea from the palace while it is still light.
• Bring your passport or ID card on your first visit, even if you only want a drink.
• Set a budget before you go and treat it as the price of a night out.
• Book the Brasserie if you want dinner on a Friday or Saturday.
• Check the poker schedule if you want to play a tournament, as breaks are announced on the website.

See where the Dragonara stands against the other casinos in our Malta casino ranking.

Casinos in this guide

Frequently asked questions

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.