Dragonara Casino

Dragonara Casino occupies Dragonara Palace — a 19th-century summer residence built on a narrow limestone headland jutting into the Mediterranean at St Julian's, the entertainment and nightlife district of the Maltese capital's northern suburbs. The palace, constructed in 1870 for a wealthy Maltese family, was converted into a casino in 1964 and has operated continuously since, making it Malta's oldest gaming venue and one of the oldest casinos in the Mediterranean region.

The casino's position is genuinely theatrical: the Dragonara headland is surrounded by the sea on three sides, accessible only by a narrow causeway, with views across St George's Bay and towards the Maltese coastline in all directions. The main gaming rooms are in the original palace building, preserving the Victorian-era stonework, arched windows, and terrace gardens, while modern extensions house the slot machine hall and ancillary facilities.

Games include roulette, blackjack, punto banco, poker, and slot machines. St Julian's has evolved from a quiet fishing village into Malta's primary entertainment zone, with the Paceville nightlife district, the Portomaso marina development, and the Spinola Bay restaurant strip all within walking distance of the casino. Malta's year-round Mediterranean climate, rich history (the Knights of St John, the Great Siege of 1565, WWII's "George Cross island"), and its role as a major dive destination and sailing hub give the island a diverse and substantial tourist base.