Have you ever imagined visiting a floating casino? In Buenos Aires, more precisely in the Puerto Madero neighborhood, there is the only casino that operates in the City of Buenos Aires.
This casino has the particularity that “legally” it is not located in the territory of the City of Buenos Aires. How is this explained? The reason is that the Casino operates in two ships on the waters of Puerto Madero, which corresponds to the territory of the National State. For this reason, the Casino is not covered by the prohibition that applies in the City of Buenos Aires regarding gaming and betting.
Aside from this legal issue involving the Buenos Aires Casino, the truth is that many tourists and Argentines choose it as an activity to enjoy the night. Admission is free and you will have a great time not only playing, but also with music, restaurants and bars that are inside the ships where the casino operates.
Buenos Aires Casino: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit
What is the Buenos Aires Casino?
The Buenos Aires Casino is located on two casino ships docked in Puerto Madero, specifically in the southern dock. The ships are the Estrella de la Fortuna and the Princess, both part of the incredible floating casino.
Features
At the Puerto Madero Casino, you will find over 120 gaming tables, more than 1,400 slot machines in both Argentine pesos and U.S. dollars, an international-level restaurant, a gourmet café, a 24-hour food court, a shopping center, an exclusive Poker Room, and a High Rollers salon. Admission to the Puerto Madero Casino is free but exclusively for those over 18 years old.
Services
The Buenos Aires Casino offers personalized services, including Wi-Fi, ambient music, elevators and escalators, private security, 24-hour dining, a designated smoking area, and parking.
Shopping Center
The complex includes a shopping center called Diamante, where you can find a wide variety of both national and imported products, including fragrances, cosmetics, beauty products, leather goods, handbags, watches, beverages, cigars, and much more.
The Two Casino Ships
Princess Ship
This casino ship has multi-denomination slot machines in both pesos and dollars. It also features large accumulated, combined, and progressive jackpots.
Additionally, there is a floor dedicated solely to poker. Here you will find Madero Poker, the only venue in Buenos Aires City where you can play live tables and the best poker tournaments in the country.
Estrella Ship
On this casino ship, you will find four levels with a wide variety of gaming tables and exclusive rooms with state-of-the-art slot machines in both pesos and dollars.
It also has an exclusive VIP room with high-denomination gaming tables and slots, also in pesos and dollars.
Legal Background and Location
The Buenos Aires Casino is the only casino located within Buenos Aires City, as gambling for money is prohibited in the city. This exception was made possible in 1999 by exploiting a legal loophole: the Buenos Aires Casino operates on two ships anchored in waters belonging to the national government.
Since then, the Buenos Aires Casino has overcome various challenges, mostly obstacles imposed by the judiciary and Buenos Aires City authorities, as well as some labor-related conflicts.
The location of the Buenos Aires Casino ship in the South Dock prompted the company Cirsa to build a “support” building, which serves as the main entrance for visitors and complements the floating casino with additional facilities.
Recent Developments
In recent years, the Buenos Aires Casino has distinguished itself not only for its diverse array of physical gambling options but also as a hub for significant events, such as thrilling boxing matches that draw both local and international enthusiasts and competitors.
These events have bolstered its reputation as a multifaceted entertainment center. Simultaneously, the casino has embraced digital trends, reflecting the growing interest in online gambling in Argentina.
This digital context complements the in-person experience offered by the Buenos Aires Casino, illustrating how traditional gaming spaces are expanding their horizons into the digital world.
Where is the Buenos Aires Casino located?
The Buenos Aires Casino is located at Avenida Elvira Rawson de Dellepiane 1, in the South Dock of Puerto Madero. This area of Puerto Madero is very close to the neighborhoods of San Telmo and La Boca, and a bit farther (but still nearby) from the neighborhoods of Monserrat and San Nicolás.
The surroundings of the Buenos Aires Casino, in the southern part of Puerto Madero, offer various dining and shopping options. Therefore, it is a very popular area at night, whether for visiting the casino or enjoying a delicious dinner or even a movie at the nearby cinema complex.
Additionally, the proximity to the San Telmo neighborhood makes the tourist activity even more varied, allowing you to enjoy cafes and bars before or after visiting the casino.
It is worth noting that admission to the Buenos Aires Casino is free and exclusively for people over 18 years old.
How to get to the Buenos Aires Casino?
To reach the Buenos Aires Casino, you have several transportation options. While it is not the most accessible location in Buenos Aires, it is not difficult to get to the casino.
If you choose to take the bus, there are various bus lines that can bring you close to the Puerto Madero Casino. The specific lines will depend on your starting point. Some of these bus lines are: 4, 20, 25, 33, 61, 62, 64, 86, 93, 129, 130, 143, 152, 59, 168, 195.
Is the subway an option for getting to the Buenos Aires Casino? The closest subway lines are C and E, both running north to south, with stations at least 10 blocks away from the casino. Therefore, you will need to complete the journey by walking or taking a bus or taxi.
The Buenos Aires Casino offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from the casino on private vans. These shuttles have fixed routes and are ideal for covering distances that would otherwise cost money by taxi or private transportation.
The shuttle routes connect the Puerto Madero Casino with the following points in the city:
- Av. Corrientes and Pueyrredón
- Bouchard and Av. Córdoba
- Lima and H. Yrigoyen
- Av. Mitre 1200 (Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province)
Each route operates round-trip shuttle services at specific times.
![The Buenos Aires Casino at the Puerto Madero neighborhood.](https://expatpathways.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/casino-buenos-aires-1024x576.jpg)
Why visit the Buenos Aires Casino?
Play and Have Fun (Responsibly)
The Puerto Madero Casino offers the best technology and comfort for you to enjoy its facilities. These are distributed across the two ships on which the casino operates.
At the Buenos Aires Casino, you can play everything from roulette to various card games like blackjack and poker. Additionally, the casino has state-of-the-art slot machines and slots in both pesos and dollars.
Enjoy Gastronomy and Special Events
Many people visit the Buenos Aires Casino without being passionate about gambling. The purpose in these cases is to enjoy the location and its attractions.
While games are the main draw for casino visitors, the gastronomic aspect is also significant. The Puerto Madero Casino offers restaurants, a café, and a cocktail bar for you to enjoy something delicious.
It’s worth noting that you can dine at these places without needing to gamble or play on the casino machines.
Online Gaming Platform
The official platform of the Buenos Aires Casino allows you to play online, from casino games to poker, including sports betting.
You need to register, be of legal age, and reside in Buenos Aires City. It offers the possibility to deposit money through various payment methods and provides an alternative experience to the one you can enjoy at the Puerto Madero Casino.
Shopping Center
The Buenos Aires Casino features an exclusive shopping center where you can buy everything from national to imported products.
The store offers a wide variety of items, including fragrances, cosmetics, beauty products, handbags, watches, beverages, cigars, chocolates, and much more.
All payment methods are accepted, including cash, debit cards, and credit cards.
(Featured Image Source: Hotel Madero/pinterest.com)