Monte Carlo Casino will close shortly after the F1 Grand Prix in May to allow renovation work to start.
American architect Paul Steelman is in charge of the project to refurbish the 144 years old casino. While the work is being carried out, the gaming tables are moving to Sporting d'Ete, 7 of them in the open air to allow players to smoke (last year 3 smokers' tables took 60% of the sales). The slot machines won't be moved. Work on the 6000 m sq will take 8 months and the casino is scheduled to reopen on 27th January 2011.
Iconic Monte Carlo Casino is undergoing a facelift
Links:
[1] http://www.nicematin.com/ra/monaco/244257/monaco-le-casino-va-emigrer-vers-le-sporting-d-ete