Is there a casino in Valletta? The Casino Maltese explained

Many visitors search for a casino in Valletta and find the Casino Maltese on Republic Street. The name is misleading. The Casino Maltese is a historic private members' club, founded in 1852, and not a place to play roulette or slots. None of Malta's four land-based casinos is in the capital. The nearest ones are in St Julian's, a short bus or taxi ride away, and the fourth is in Qawra in the north. This guide explains what the Casino Maltese really is, where you can actually play, and how to get there from Valletta.

Why people think Valletta has a casino

The confusion comes from the word itself. In Italian, casino originally meant a small house, and later a club house where members met to talk, read, eat and dance. Many towns in Italy and Malta had a "casino" in this sense long before the word came to mean a gambling hall.

The Casino Maltese is exactly that kind of club. Its name, its central location on Valletta's main street and its grand rooms make many tourists assume it is the city's casino. Search engines add to the confusion, because they show the club for searches like "casino Valletta".

The Casino Maltese: Valletta's historic members' club

The Casino Maltese describes itself as Malta's foremost members' club. Its founding document is dated 1 March 1852, and its motto is Omnibus Idem. According to the club, its main purpose is the social gathering and entertainment of its members.

A building with more than four centuries of history

The club sits in one of Valletta's most interesting buildings. It was built as the Casa del Commun Tesoro, the treasury of the Order of St John, and was most likely designed by Girolamo Cassar, the architect behind much of early Valletta.

Over the centuries the building had many uses:

• Treasury of the Order of St John, from the early years of Valletta.
• Post office room from 1708.
• Workplace of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the English poet, who worked inside the building in 1804 and 1805. A plaque recalls his time there.
• The Grand Hotel from the late 19th century, and later a cinema.
• The Casino Maltese from the early 20th century. The architect Nicola Buhagiar remodelled the building extensively in 1914.

In April 1921 the club received the Japanese Crown Prince Hirohito, later Emperor of Japan, who gave it a vase that is still on display. During the Second World War the building was badly damaged by bombing and was redesigned by Francesco Sammut. Today it is protected as a Grade 1 national monument.

Can tourists visit the Casino Maltese?

The Casino Maltese is a private club, so it is not open to walk-in visitors like a museum or a casino. The way in for most people is an event. Some rooms can be hired, and the club hosts weddings, private parties, corporate dinners, book launches, lectures, film shows and art exhibitions. The ballroom holds up to 300 guests standing, and the smaller private dining rooms seat between fifteen and forty.

If you want to see the inside, watch for public events such as exhibitions or lectures, or contact the club office. The club does not publish a dress code online. For an event in rooms like these, smart clothing is the safe choice.

Where are the real casinos near Valletta?

Malta has four land-based casinos. Three are in St Julian's, the island's nightlife centre north of Valletta, and one is in Qawra.

If you only have one evening, the Dragonara is the closest match to the historic atmosphere many visitors hope to find in Valletta. It sits inside a palace built in the 1870s and has been a casino since 1964. Our Dragonara Casino guide covers it in detail.

How to get from Valletta to the casinos

By bus to St Julian's

Malta Public Transport runs frequent buses from the Valletta bus terminus to Sliema and St Julian's. According to the operator, routes 13, 13A, 14, 16, 21 and TD13 take you there. At night, the N13 night bus runs from Valletta to San Giljan, the St Julian's area.

Buses are free with a personalised tallinja card. Stops and timetables sometimes change because of roadworks, so check the journey planner on the Malta Public Transport website or the tallinja app before you leave.

By ferry and on foot

The Valletta Ferry connects Valletta directly with Sliema. From Sliema you can continue along the seafront to St Julian's on foot or by bus. It is a pleasant way to travel in the early evening, with views back over the Valletta skyline.

To the Oracle in Qawra

The Oracle Casino is part of the Dolmen Resort on the Qawra seafront, next to Bugibba. Buses from Valletta to Bugibba include route 48, and the N48 night bus runs late. The Oracle also offers free transport on request, so ask the casino before you travel.

By taxi or ride app

A taxi or ride app is the easiest option, especially late at night or if you plan to have a drink. St Julian's is a short drive from Valletta, and the casinos are well known to every driver.

A Valletta evening that ends at a casino

Many visitors combine the two:

1. Late afternoon in Valletta. Walk down Republic Street past the Casino Maltese and see the facade of the old treasury.
2. Dinner in the capital or a drink with a view of the Grand Harbour.
3. Ferry or bus to Sliema and St Julian's.
4. A few hours at the casino. All four are open around the clock, so there is no rush.
5. Taxi or night bus back to your hotel.

Before you go: casino entry rules

Remember that the rules of the gaming casinos are different from a social club:

• Age: visitors from abroad must be 18, Maltese citizens 25.
• ID: bring your passport or ID card. You register on your first visit.
• Dress code: smart casual at the Dragonara and Casino Malta, casual at Portomaso and the Oracle. No beachwear anywhere.

Our guide to Malta casino entry rules has the details, and our Malta casino guide compares all four casinos.

Find the best casino for your evening 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.