Casinos in Cairo and Egypt: A Visitor's Guide
Egypt has a long casino history, from the glamorous gaming rooms of the early twentieth century to the casinos tucked inside today's big international hotels. The rules are unusual, though, and every visitor should know them before heading to the tables.
The basic rule: foreigners only
Egypt's casinos operate under a long-standing legal arrangement that reserves casino gaming for foreigners. Egyptian citizens are not allowed to gamble in them. In practice that means:
- Casinos are located inside licensed hotels, mostly five-star properties in Cairo and the Red Sea and Sinai resorts.
- You must show a foreign passport at the door. Bring the original; a photo on your phone may not be accepted.
- Egyptian nationals, including dual nationals presenting Egyptian documents, will be refused entry.
- You must be of legal age; staff check passports for that too.
The legal framework and its enforcement can change, so treat this as a guide and follow the instructions of hotel and casino staff.
Where the casinos are in Cairo
Cairo's casinos are concentrated in the large hotels along the Nile, in downtown, Garden City and Zamalek, and in some hotels in Heliopolis and near the airport. The Nile-side hotels have hosted casinos for decades, and some of the gaming rooms have a faded old-world charm. Openings and closures happen, so ask your hotel concierge which casinos are currently operating.
What to expect inside
| Feature | Typical in Egypt |
|---|---|
| Games | Roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker variants, slot machines |
| Currency | Usually US dollars or other foreign currency rather than Egyptian pounds |
| Size | Mostly small to medium gaming rooms, not Las Vegas-scale halls |
| Hours | Evenings until late, often around the clock in bigger venues |
| Dress code | Smart casual; no beachwear or sports clothes |
| Drinks | Available in the hotel bars; some casinos serve players at the tables |
Because play is in hard currency, bring dollars or euros, or check whether the cashier can process your card. Limits are generally modest, though high-limit tables exist in the bigger hotels.
Online betting in Egypt
Egypt does not license online casinos or sportsbooks for local players, and Egyptian law takes a restrictive view of gambling. Visitors with accounts at operators licensed in their home countries should check both their operator's terms and the local rules before using them while in Egypt.
Making a night of it
- Combine a casino visit with dinner on the Nile or a felucca ride at sunset.
- Many hotel casinos are quiet early in the evening and busiest after midnight.
- Set a budget before you go in, and keep your passport safe.
Heading to the coast? The resorts have their own casino scene: see Red Sea and Sharm el-Sheikh resort casinos. In Cairo for a track meeting? Our cycling fan's guide to Cairo has the practical details, and the Cairo visitor guide covers the daytime sights.