In 2018, Gran Casino de Lanzarote celebrated its 25th anniversary, along with hosting a decent size poker tournament, but alas, if you’re expecting the name to match the actual size, you’ll be rather disappointed.
Intro
While the name translates as Big Casino’, in real life it’s quite the opposite and relatively small. Being that it’s the only gambling establishment in Playa del Carmen, as well as on the entire island of Lanzarote, big is a relative term.
Gaming Machines
The casino floor consists mostly of slots and multigaming and sports betting machines which are separated from gaming tables for roulette, poker, and electronic blackjack.
Machine variations include lever or roller machines, along with touch-screen models.
Slot Machines
There are 39 machines available on the gaming floor with most of them being slots. You’ll find a mix of both IGT and Bally games with names like Gypsy Fortune, King Diamond, Moonlight Mansion, Egyptian Gold and Lightning Link.
Some slots offer jackpots of 2000 times your bet, but the odds of being a winner are quite slim.
Multigaming Machines
There are also a bunch of mixed touch-screen gaming machines like Premier Multi, Novo, Game Chest, Merkur, and Gaminator where you can choose from a variety of different playing options.
Sports Betting Terminals
Touch-screen betting terminals are also available to allow you to place wagers through Vive La Suerte on pretty much any sport.
Gaming Tables
While the casino is small, it does have a few different gaming tables for electronic poker and blackjack, along with roulette, cash poker and Texas Hold ’em tournaments.
Electronic Tables
While most would prefer live action tables, for those in need of playing cards, there’s are electronic games that can switch between I-Table Poker and Blackjack.
With gameplay centered around built-in touch screens, it’s more like internet gaming than anything else.
American Roulette Tables
Standard tables with 37 squares of both red and black are available, along with options for bidding on colors, or odds and evens.
Poker Tables
Aside from electronic poker, there are cash poker tables which often require reservations.
While adaptable for private play, the casino will define game duration, limits, positions of players, initial amount to participate and amount of replacements.
Poker tables are open from 9:00 pm to 4:00 am.
You can reserve seating by phone: 928 51 50 00 or by booking online at TimeForPokerClub.com.
Poker Tournaments
Texas Hold’em tournaments are held every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 9:00 pm sharp.
The buy-in is €25 + €5 with unlimited rebuys in the first three levels with an add-on of 5,000 points.
Food and Drink
You’ll find a lot of players choose to stay here to eat, and while the main restraurant is the top choice, there are also those that utilize the snack bar, especially during the day when the restaurant is not open.
For drinks, you’ll have to wait until evening to either visit the restaurant or the gaming room bar.
Restaurante Fortuna
Inside the Gran Casino, you’ll find a single restaurant with a menu featuring Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and culinary styles from various cultures. The menu is ever evolving and contains an assortment of local products.
You have two options for seating, both indoors and on the rooftop terrace which offers a wonderful sea view and the nicest ambiance.
There’s not a lot of chatter on TripAdvisor, but in general the food is fairly well rated an somewhat expensive.
Reservations can be made through the Gran Casino phone line at +34 928 515 000.
Snack Bar
For those in need of a quick fix, there is a snack bar room near the gaming machines.
Gaming Room Bar
Aside from the restraurant, you can get drinks from the gaming room bar.
They serve various types of liquors from €6-8, bottle beers can be had for €4 and glasses of wine are €3 and up.
Drink pricing is quite similar to most other bars and restaurants in the area with premium options having a slightly higher fare.
Casino Entrance Requirements
Dress Code
Being an island environment, the dress code is pretty relaxed with proper casual attire and no jacket or tie required.
In general, no beach shorts or flip flops, but jeans and trainers should be fine.
Entrance Fee
There used to be a €3 entrance fee, but it hasn’t be heard of recently.
Age Requirements
You must be a minimum 18 years old to both enter the casino, a well as play.
ID Requirements
Proper ID is required to enter the gaming rooms with tables, however the area with slot machines is not so closely monitored, although winnings will be.
A passport or EU residency card is the preferred choice of ID. Driver’s licenses might also be accepted, but may not apply to all countries.
Opening Hours
While not 24 hours, it’s pretty close with the casino gaming machines room being open from 10:00 am to 4:00 am.
The gaming tables room only also opens in the evening from 7:00 pm to 4:00 am.
Poker tables only open at 9:00 pm till 4:00 am.
Restaurante Fortuna only opens in the evening from 7:00 pm but closes earlier at 2:00 am.
How to Get There
Gran Casino de Lanzarote is located on the ocean side of Avenida de Las Playas #12 in Puerto del Carmen.
You’ll find it almost nearly in the middle, about 400m east of Punta de Playa Blanca and 400m west of Punta del Barrenquillo. If you know where the Puerto del Carmen Tourist Office, this is Punta de Playa Blanca. Just continue past the toursist office and towards Playa Grande and you’ll find it on the seaward side.
Contact Details
Gran Casino de Lanzarote
Avda. de las Playas 12
35510 Puerto del Carmen
Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
Phone: +34 928 515 000
Website: grancasinolanzarote.com
Email: grancasinodelanzarote@orenesgrupo.com