Faced with this ban, Parisian gambling enthusiasts long turned to another form of establishment: gaming circles. Inspired by English private clubs, these members-only venues offered card games, in particular poker, and so-called "counter games", i.e. games played between players or against a croupier, but without the direct intervention of the bank as in pure games of chance (roulette, slot machines...).
From gaming circles to gaming clubs
Gaming circles flourished throughout the 20th century, until their decline at the turn of the 2010s, when several of them came under scrutiny for management irregularities or suspected money laundering.
To replace these opaque structures, a new scheme came into being in 2018: gaming clubs. Unlike circles, these are commercial companies, regulated like casinos and subject to strict accounting obligations, with a statutory auditor and prefectoral authorization. While gaming clubs are still not casinos in the strict sense of the term, they now offer a legal, supervised alternative for Parisian gamblers.
But how do these Parisian gaming clubs differ from traditional casinos in the provinces?
The first major difference is therange of games on offer. In a casino, you'll find the classic games of chance: roulette, slot machines, etc., all of which are strictly forbidden in Parisian clubs. On the other hand, clubs offer card games such as Texas Hold'em and Omaha poker, as well as cash games such as Blackjack, Punto Banco and Ultimate Poker.
Another important distinction isambience. While casinos often focus on a leisurely atmosphere, with entertainment, popular restaurants and plenty of slot machines, Parisian clubs cultivate a more subdued aesthetic.
Several addresses in the Golden Triangle
Some clubs are playing this card to the hilt, such as Club Pierre Charron, a stone's throw from the Champs-Élysées, which boasts a premium approach. Open 7 days a week, from 12.30pm to 6.30am, this very Parisian club features 27 gaming tables, including a wide range of poker (Texas Hold'em, Omaha) as well as Blackjack and Punto Banco. Fans will also find counterparty games such as Ultimate Poker, Stud "Caribbean" poker and 3-Card Poker. But there's more to the Club than gaming: an elegant bar, an elegant restaurant open around the clock, a smoking room-library with a cigar cellar... everything here celebrates a certain French art de vivre. A chic, convivial place to live, it is a benchmark for poker enthusiasts and epicurean night owls in Paris's golden triangle.
Club Barrière continues this tradition of French elegance, while showcasing the expertise of a historic French gaming group. Located on the Champs-Élysées, the Club has rapidly become one of the major gaming addresses in Paris. Open since 2019 in the former premises of the Aviation Club de France, it offers 24 tables in a hushed, elegant setting designed by Bruno Borrione. Cash game poker, regular tournaments, blackjack, ultimate poker, punto banco and Sic Bo make up the varied range of games on offer. The Club also welcomes epicureans with a Hennessy bar and a bistronomic restaurant open until 4am.
As for Club Circus Paris, in the 16th arrondissement, it caters for a broader clientele, with a friendly atmosphere, regular tournaments and a broad poker offering. Inaugurated in 2019, it offers a wide range of cash games and an extensive weekly tournament schedule, in partnership with TexaPoker. Enthusiasts can also try their hand at cash games such as Blackjack, Punto Banco and Ultimate Poker, with progressive jackpots on offer.
In short, gaming clubs are not casinos, and it's precisely this nuance that has enabled them to establish themselves in Paris. They don't offer the same experience, nor the same games. But they do allow the capital to revive, legally, a gambling tradition that is deeply rooted in its history. For Parisians who love poker or other table games, these clubs are the only way to indulge their passion... without leaving the city.
Our favourite addresses in Paris:
Club Pierre Charron
62 rue Pierre Charron - 75008 Paris
7J/7 de 12h30 à 6h30 du matin
www.clubpierrecharron.com
Club Circus Paris
37-39 Boulevard Murat,
75116 Paris
Daily 1:00 pm to 5:30 am
www.circus-poker.com
Club Barriere
104 av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris
Every day, 1:00 pm - 6:00 am
01 76 21 20 00
Club Barrière website
Recommended age
From 18 to 99 years old
Average duration
2 h
