Portomaso Casino

Portomaso Casino sits beneath the Portomaso Business Tower in St Julian's, the marina and nightlife district on Malta's north-east coast. The idea behind it is to make guests feel at home while giving them a glamorous setting for slots, table games and poker. It is open around the clock, entry costs nothing, and it welcomes visitors as well as residents.

The casino is owned and operated by Tumas Gaming Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Tumas Group, and is licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority. On VisitMalta.co.uk it appears in our directory of casinos in Malta. Gambling can become a problem, so please play responsibly.

For a UK visitor it is an easy evening out: the venue is casual, central to the St Julian's hotels and open late, so you can have dinner nearby, drop in for a drink in the lounge and watch a match on the screens even if you do not intend to play. The Portomaso complex around it also has marina views and the group's hotel, which makes the area convenient for a short break.

Games and poker

The gaming floor offers slot machines and table games including roulette, blackjack and punto banco, with a choice of stakes for different budgets. Chips are bought at the table: you place your cash in front of the dealer, who exchanges it for chips in your own colour, and the dealer changes them back when you cash out. Dealers are happy to explain the rules at any free table, which is useful for first-timers.

Poker is a speciality. In October 2008 the casino hosted its first international poker tournament and has since become one of Europe's leading venues for poker events, with major online poker brands choosing it for live events. The 4,000 square metre venue includes four separate poker areas, dining space, room for journalists and corporate players' lounges. Tournament schedules change daily, so ask for the current programme.

Entry to the games is free, and stakes are chosen by the player, so you can set a budget before you walk in and stay within it. Players who feel gambling is becoming a problem can find support through the free national helpline and the foundation listed in our directory of Malta's gaming sector, and the casino itself reminds visitors to play responsibly.

Food, drink and events

The brasserie-style restaurant serves Mediterranean dishes with an emphasis on fresh fish and ingredients, with lunch from 12:00 to 15:00 daily and dinner from 19:00 to 23:00 Wednesday to Sunday. The restaurant is currently under refurbishment, and a snack menu is served daily from 11:00 to midnight. A recently refurbished lounge offers drinks, and screens show live games.

The casino positions itself as an events specialist, with weekly cash prizes, promotions, a loyalty card, hospitality packages and a VIP programme. Free wi-fi is available throughout. Group events and corporate evenings can be arranged, and the Hilton Malta, owned by the same group, provides luxury rooms on the Portomaso complex.

Getting there and what to bring

First-time visitors must show a valid ID card, passport or driving licence. The minimum age is 25 for Maltese citizens and 18 for non-Maltese residents. The dress code is casual, though swimwear is not allowed. Free transport is available on request, subject to availability, and an underground car park offers more than 1,500 free spaces.

If you are staying nearby, our guide to hotels in Sliema and St Julian's lists options within reach. Baron Car Hire is a local car hire firm in the directory, and our things to do in Malta guide covers daytime plans.

Evenings are busiest, and the atmosphere is liveliest then, while daytime is quieter if you prefer space to learn a table game with a dealer. Ask the team about current promotions, because the weekly prizes and poker series change through the year.

Making an enquiry

If you would like to ask about a poker event, a group evening, the restaurant or transport, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Portomaso Casino, who will reply to you directly.