One of the most iconic casinos in the French Alps has officially switched off its lights. Casino Le Royal de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, located in the heart of one of Europe’s most prestigious mountain tourism destinations, ceased operations on June 4, 2026, following the expiration of the concession that had allowed it to operate for the past 18 years.
The closure marks the end of an era for a property whose history extends far beyond gaming. The building was originally constructed in 1848 as the historic Hôtel Le Royal, in the center of Chamonix, and famously hosted Napoleon III in 1860 during the events surrounding the annexation of Savoy to France. Since 2010, the property has been owned by the City of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, making it one of the municipality’s most significant heritage assets.
Mayor François-Xavier Laffin
Operations ended not because of regulatory sanctions or financial insolvency, but due to the expiration of the Délégation de Service Public (DSP) that governed the casino’s operation. According to Mayor François-Xavier Laffin, the municipal administration inherited a situation in which no new tender process had been launched in time to ensure continuity, ultimately forcing the casino to close.
The financial impact extends well beyond gaming. The municipality will be required to spend a total of €2.06 million to fully recover assets linked to the former concession. The figure includes €260,000 in contractual assets and €1.8 million in return assets, primarily associated with restaurant facilities, commercial equipment and additional infrastructure developed during the operating period.
Before closing, Le Royal featured 68 slot machines, two electronic roulette terminals, one electronic blackjack game, two live blackjack tables and one English roulette table, alongside a restaurant, bar and entertainment facilities. Although France remains one of Europe’s largest casino markets, with nearly 200 licensed casinos, the loss of Le Royal carries special symbolic significance because of its location in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, the gateway to Mont Blanc and one of Europe’s most renowned winter tourism destinations.
The property is now entering a new chapter. Municipal authorities are working on the financial settlement of the concession, the recovery of the historic building and the launch of an Appel à Manifestation d’Intérêt (AMI) aimed at maintaining restaurant activity while a long-term redevelopment plan is defined. Potential future uses include hospitality, cultural, commercial and tourism-related projects. As of June 2026, no plan has been announced to reopen a casino on the site, making the closure of Le Royal the end of one of the most recognizable stories in French Alpine gaming.
