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The history of Casino di Sanremo begins in the Italian Riviera’s flourishing resort culture and reaches far beyond roulette tables. Opened in 1905, this landmark has witnessed political change, wartime closure, musical breakthroughs, and modern reinvention. Discover how a seaside entertainment palace became an important part of Italy’s cultural heritage.
NOTE: This article concerns the historic Casinò Municipale di Sanremo, inaugurated on 14 January 1905, designed by Eugène Ferret and still operating in its original location. It is distinct from the earlier gambling establishment at Villa La Sultana in nearby Ospedaletti.
Origins: Sanremo’s Journey Towards a Municipal Casino
Sanremo’s casino did not appear overnight. During the nineteenth century, the Ligurian town drew wealthy winter visitors.
Local research of the history of Casino di Sanremo records a reading room with an associated casino as early as 1862, followed by an international club with card rooms and billiards in 1869.
A permanent municipal casino provoked debate. An 1880 scheme by architect Pio Soli, submitted for the entrepreneur Adolf Mayer, was rejected in 1881. The proposal prompted objections to gambling, and further schemes failed.
Mayor Augusto Mombello’s administration finally backed a multi-purpose resort attraction.
The Founding and Casino di Sanremo Opening Date
The decisive proposal came from the French architect and entrepreneur Eugène Ferret. The council approved his design on 25 May 1903; the construction and operating contract was signed on 5 November 1903. Ferret became the venue’s first operator.
The contract included a theatre, winter garden, gaming rooms, and hospitality facilities, initially operating seasonally. A local architectural history records a construction cost of 1,076,960 lire, including Ferret’s fee.
The official Casino di Sanremo opening date was 14 January 1905. The inauguration featured a charity celebration and concerts. The evening gala was conducted by M. B. Giannini, and the casino’s history records an admission charge of five lire.
The 1905 opening and the 1927 gambling decree were distinct milestones.
Casino di Sanremo Architecture: Belle Époque Ambition
On Corso degli Inglesi, the building combines Art Nouveau (Liberty) and eclectic details. Its symmetrical main frontage has three central arches, sculptural decoration, and two prominent corner towers. Local architectural research identifies elements of neo-Baroque design and an influence from Charles Garnier’s work.
A Giardino d’Inverno (winter garden) anchored the interior.
In 1911, engineer Manfredini added a staircase to first-floor gaming rooms and altered the winter garden. The building’s colour and decorative finishes also changed over time.
The Casino di Sanremo architecture therefore reflects both its Belle Époque origins and later alterations.
From a Seasonal Attraction to Regulated Gaming: 1927–1939
Early gambling operated within the constraints of resort gaming practices. A major change came under Pietro Agosti, Sanremo’s Fascist-era podestà, or municipal head.
A decree on 22 December 1927 reshaped the casino’s legal and financial framework. Converted into law on 27 December 1928, it enabled year-round operation, according to the casino.
The casino says Luigi Pirandello oversaw theatrical artistic direction in the 1930s.
Wartime Closure and the Post-War Reopening: 1940–1950
Italy’s entry into the Second World War brought an abrupt interruption. On 20 June 1940, the casino ceased gaming activity under an Interior Ministry order.
It reopened on 31 December 1945 after an unsuccessful operating award to Pompeo Gandini; CIRT subsequently took responsibility.
The reopening supported post-war entertainment, including a 1946–47 revue associated with Sanremo-born performer Carlo Dapporto.
The Casino’s Remarkable Role in Sanremo Music Festival History
The best-known cultural chapter began on 29 January 1951, when the first Festival della Canzone Italiana was held in the casino’s winter-garden setting. It was principally a radio event, not the giant televised show audiences know today.
Nunzio Filogamo presented 20 songs performed by Nilla Pizzi, Achille Togliani and the Duo Fasano. Pizzi won with Grazie dei fiori. RAI’s historical archive confirms the festival’s casino origins.
The casino hosted the competition through 1976. From 1977, the event took place at the nearby Teatro Ariston. The move did not end its place in Sanremo Music Festival history.
Later Management, Gaming Changes and Public Ownership: 1977–2001
Changes continued after the festival’s departure. Casino records refer to the renovation of the Salone delle Feste, inaugurated in December 1979, and to the later introduction of slot machines.
Management also changed. The casino’s official chronology identifies a period of prefect-appointed commissioners from 7 December 1983 to 9 October 1989.
Società Generale per il Turismo (SGT) then managed operations from January 1990 to June 1992, followed by another period of commissioners.
A decisive administrative change occurred on 18 September 2001. The Municipality of Sanremo and the provincial administration established a joint-stock management company, initially with 80% and 20% stakes respectively.
Management passed to the new company in December 2001. The municipality subsequently became its sole shareholder.
Famous Figures Connected with Casino di Sanremo
Eugène Ferret was its designer and first operator; Augusto Mombello represented the municipality during the founding negotiations; and Pietro Agosti was associated with the 1927 decree.
In the arts, Luigi Pirandello had an officially documented theatrical role, while Nunzio Filogamo and Nilla Pizzi belong to the casino’s early music-festival history.
Italy’s official tourism portal also names King Farouk of Egypt and actor-director Vittorio De Sica among its notable patrons.
The Casino di Sanremo Today: Gaming, Tourism and Culture
As of October 2026, the building continues to operate at Corso degli Inglesi 18. Its operator, Casinò di Sanremo S.p.A., identifies the Municipality of Sanremo as sole shareholder.
Its advertised activities include French roulette, blackjack and other card games, poker and slot machines, alongside dining and theatre.
ANSA reported €58.7 million in gaming receipts for 2025, with €7.8 million in annual profit.
For January–September 2026, local reporting recorded €45.9 million in receipts and 193,687 casino admissions. These are period-specific reported figures, not projections for the full year.
The casino also announced a 2026–27 theatre season, demonstrating that public performances remain part of the venue’s activities.
Key Historical Facts and Dates
| Category | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Location | Corso degli Inglesi 18, Sanremo, Liguria |
| Original opening | 14 January 1905 |
| Architect and early operator | Eugène Ferret |
| Building style | Liberty / Art Nouveau, eclectic details |
| Significant regulation | 1927 decree, converted into law in 1928 |
| Wartime closure | 20 June 1940 |
| Reopening | 31 December 1945 |
| Sanremo Music Festival venue | 1951–1976 |
| Management company founded | 18 September 2001 |
| Present ownership | Municipality of Sanremo, sole shareholder |
| Status in October 2026 | Operating |
Historical Significance and Legacy
Casino di Sanremo’s place in the history of casinos lies in the way it links several stories: the expansion of Italian Riviera tourism, the architecture of Belle Époque leisure, changing Italian gambling regulation, and the evolution of mass entertainment.
For Sanremo, it provided an enduring venue for visitors and cultural performances. For Italian music, its winter garden provided the setting in which the Sanremo Music Festival began.
Its municipal ownership also makes it an example of gambling revenue being connected to local public finances.
Conclusion
The history of Casino di Sanremo stretches from nineteenth-century resort ambitions to its 1905 inauguration, the 1927 decree, wartime closure, and the birth of the Sanremo Music Festival.
Later management reforms led to the creation of the municipally owned company that operates the venue today. More than an architectural landmark or a place to play roulette, the casino remains a tangible connection between Italy’s gambling industry, tourism economy, and musical heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Casino di Sanremo
When did Casino di Sanremo officially open?
The Casino di Sanremo opening date was 14 January 1905. Its inaugural celebrations included a charity event and music.
Who designed the Casino di Sanremo?
French architect and entrepreneur Eugène Ferret designed the building. The municipality approved his proposal in 1903.
What architectural style is Casino di Sanremo?
Its original design reflects Liberty / Art Nouveau and eclectic influences, including neo-Baroque details and twin façade towers.
Why was the 1927 decree important?
The 22 December 1927 decree, subsequently enacted in 1928, changed the framework for gaming and supported year-round casino operations.
Was Casino di Sanremo closed during World War II?
Yes. Operations stopped on 20 June 1940, and the casino reopened on 31 December 1945.
Did the Sanremo Music Festival begin at the casino?
Yes. The first festival took place there on 29 January 1951, with Nunzio Filogamo presenting and Nilla Pizzi winning.
When did the music festival move to Teatro Ariston?
The casino hosted the festival through 1976. The Teatro Ariston became its venue in 1977.
Who owns the Casino di Sanremo?
Casinò di Sanremo S.p.A. operates the venue. The Municipality of Sanremo is its sole shareholder, according to the operator.
Is Casino di Sanremo still operating in 2026?
Yes. The Casino di Sanremo today offers gaming and cultural programming; reports through September 2026 confirm that operations will continue.
Reference List:
The following sources were consulted for this historical article. Undated online historical records are identified as n.d. rather than assigning an unverified publication year.
Casinò di Sanremo. (n.d.). Si inaugura la casa da gioco di Sanremo. https://www.casinosanremo.it/storia/si-inaugura-la-casa-da-gioco-di-sanremo/
Sanremo Storia. (n.d.). Casinò Municipale. https://www.sanremostoria.it/it/la-citta/l-urbanistica/palazzi-edifici/213-edifici-civili-e-pubblici/255-casino-municipale.html
Casinò di Sanremo. (n.d.). Emanato il decreto “Salva Casinò”. https://www.casinosanremo.it/storia/emanato-il-decreto-salva-casino/
Casinò di Sanremo. (n.d.). Il Casinò di Sanremo chiude a causa del secondo conflitto bellico. https://www.casinosanremo.it/storia/il-casino-di-sanremo-chiude-a-causa-del-secondo-conflitto-bellico/
Casinò di Sanremo. (n.d.). Riapre il Casinò di Sanremo. https://www.casinosanremo.it/storia/riapre-il-casino-di-sanremo/
Rai Cultura. (n.d.). Sanremo: 40 curiosità sul Festival della canzone italiana. https://www.raicultura.it/storia/foto/2020/01/Sanremo-86825077-9549-445f-b48e-e66ac0d90835.html
Casinò di Sanremo. (n.d.). Nasce il Festival della canzone italiana. https://www.casinosanremo.it/en/history/nasce-il-festival-della-canzone-italiana/
Casinò di Sanremo. (n.d.). Teatro. https://www.casinosanremo.it/il-casino/teatro/
Casinò di Sanremo. (n.d.). La seconda fase della gestione commissariale. https://www.casinosanremo.it/storia/la-seconda-fase-della-gestione-commissariale/
Casinò di Sanremo. (n.d.). Arriva la SGT. https://www.casinosanremo.it/storia/arriva-la-sgt/
Casinò di Sanremo. (n.d.). Nasce Casinò SpA. https://www.casinosanremo.it/storia/nasce-casino-spa/
Italia.it. (n.d.). Casinò di Sanremo. https://www.italia.it/it/liguria/sanremo/casino-di-sanremo
Sanremo.it. (n.d.). La storia e le curiosità del Casinò di Sanremo. https://www.sanremo.it/storia-arte-cultura/la-storia-le-curiosita-del-casino-sanremo/
ANSA. (2026, May 8). Casinò di Sanremo approva bilancio consuntivo con 7,8 milioni di utile. https://www.ansa.it/liguria/notizie/2026/05/08/casino-di-sanremo-approva-bilancio-consuntivo-con-78-milioni-di-utile_2ee33621-e11e-4df1-94da-91c885f821e8.html
SanremoNews. (2026, October 1). Casinò di Sanremo, settembre da 5 milioni: incasso mensile in crescita di 500mila euro sul 2025. https://www.sanremonews.it/2026/10/01/sommario/sport/leggi-notizia/argomenti/altre-notizie/articolo/casino-di-sanremo-settembre-da-5-milioni-incasso-mensile-in-crescita-di-500mila-euro-sul-2025.html
Casinò di Sanremo. (n.d.). Azienda. https://www.casinosanremo.it/azienda/
Casinò di Sanremo. (2026). La grande stagione teatrale del Casinò di Sanremo 2026–2027. https://www.casinosanremo.it/eventi/casino/cultura/la-grande-stagione-teatrale-del-casino-di-sanremo-2026-2027/
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