Gambling and the French elite
The French elite - the aristocracy, the higher bourgeoisie, artists, later top management and the creative class - for centuries set the tone for the country's evening entertainment. Casinos and clubs at resorts have become a mirror of this culture: not a "jackpot hunt," but a honed ritual - sunset → dinner → concert/theater → tables → a walk. In this scenario, the game is just one facet of status, good manners and taste.
1) Origins: how the secular game became the "language" of evening France
XIX century: resort salons of Normandy, the Atlantic and spa cities (Vichy, Wittel) gave the format of the "social game": balls, orchestra, newsrooms and roulette/thirty and forty rooms (trente et quarante).
Belle Époque: the architecture of the "palaces of the evening" - rotunda, winter gardens, theaters at the casino - has fixed the link "culture + gastronomy + moderate play."
Etiquette: elegant dress code, charity nights, donations - markers of secular status along with the ability to keep yourself at the table.
2) Where the elite "make the evening" today
Riviera (Cannes/Nice/Menton): premieres, festivals, terraces by the sea; roulette with La Partage/En Prison, blackjack tables 3:2, VIP chamber rooms.
Normandy (Deauville/Trouville): horse races, retro charm promenades, gastronomy and "long" dinners.
Lakes and Alps (Evian/Annecy): spa ritual, dialogue of cuisine and wine, calm baccarat.
Metropolitan orbit (Engen-les-Bains): "half an hour from Paris" - theater/show, dinner, game; convenient format of business and cultural meetings.
3) Gaming preferences of the "top" circle
Roulette (French): equal chances under La Partage/En Prison - a symbol of "correct" mathematics and unhurried rhythm.
Baccarat: quiet luxury; Banker's low edge bid is prized for the "purity" of the solution.
Blackjack: with the rules of S17 and paying 3:2 - the choice of those who love strategy and etiquette at the table.
Poker: tournament series as a "stage" for the creative elite, media personalities and entrepreneurs; the analyticity and image of the "mind game" are valued.
4) Etiquette and status signals
Dress code: smart casual/cocktail; sportswear and beachwear are out of place in the evening.
Communication: respect for the dealer, lack of "loud" emotionality, delicacy with gadgets.
Game discipline: fixed time/bank limits, no "pursuit of loss."
Gastronomy: wine lists, local products; dinner is an independent value of the evening, not a prelude to "excitement."
5) Philanthropy and cultural projects
Gala at the casino: dinners and concerts with a charitable component - scholarships, museums, medical funds.
Partnerships: support for orchestras, theaters, festivals; auctions in halls and winter gardens.
Social responsibility: the elite traditionally "cultivates the tone" - from the rejection of aggressive advertising to attention to Responsible Gaming programs.
6) Clubbing and privacy
VIP chamber rooms: limited seating, personalized service, calm pace.
The composition of the evening: "cocktail" part and acquaintances, a short session at the table, then a terrace/cigars (in permitted areas outside the game halls) and a night walk.
Without ostentatiousness: win/lose is not discussed publicly; taste, tact and the ability to "turn the evening beautifully" are appreciated.
7) Scandals and lessons
The French elite, like any, knows stories of overplaying, debts and high-profile chronicles. But it was they who strengthened the modern norm: moderation instead of cultivating risk, transparent rules and distance from "gray" online risks. Reputation is more important than "one good night."
8) The modern agenda: responsibility and the law
Responsible play (RG): limits, self-exclusion, 18 + verification, restrained marketing - not only a requirement of the regulator, but also a social standard of "good form."
Online framework: only betting, poker, horse racing and lotteries are legal; online slots/roulette/blackjack - no. This keeps the "full" casino experience in the context of the culture and logistics of the place.
ESG: energy efficiency of buildings, local suppliers, accessibility for guests with disabilities - a new "maturity" of elite leisure.
9) Routes for an "elegant evening" (mini-scenarios)
Deauville (retro charm):- A walk along the promenades → oysters and cider → a performance in the theater at the casino → French roulette (equal chances) → a late dessert and a sea terrace.
- Sunset on Croisette → tasting menu → baccarat in the chamber hall → cocktails and night promenade.
- Spa and lake view → gastro dinner with sommelier → calm blackjack 3:2 → silence on the waterfront.
10) Practice for guests (in the spirit of the "elitist" code)
Take ID, follow the dress code, plan the whole evening (restaurant/show reservation).
Start with modest limits, keep a flat rate; take breaks.
Respect privacy: without photos and "streams" at the tables.
Use online within the law: bets/poker/lotto at licensed brands; online casino games - by.
Remember: the goal is to taste the evening, not "prove luck."
The French elite have turned gambling into part of a cultural ritual. From the palaces of Belle Époque to today's resort complexes, the emphasis is on aesthetics, gastronomy, music, moderation and respect for the rules. In this model, winning is a pleasant accident, and the real value is the quality of the evening and the memory of it.