Dragonara Casino
- Founded
- 1964-01-01 in Dragonara Palace, St. Julian’s, Malta
- Headquarters
- Dragonara Palace, Dragonara Road, St. Julian’s, STJ 3143, Malta
Established in 1964 as Malta’s first casino, Dragonara Casino occupies the historic Dragonara Palace, a 19th-century summer residence built for the Scicluna family on the Tad-Dragun peninsula in St. Julian’s. The casino is owned and operated by Dragonara Gaming Limited, a privately held Maltese company that took over management in 2010 and became fully independent in 2012. Over the decades, Dragonara has become synonymous with Malta’s tourism and gaming industry, attracting more than 300,000 visitors annually. The casino offers a complete land-based gaming experience with over 300 slot machines, 18 live table games, a dedicated poker room, and a sports betting lounge operated in partnership with IZIBET. In 2024–2025, Dragonara completed a €10 million refurbishment that upgraded the gaming floor, dining outlets, and VIP facilities, reinforcing its position as the country’s leading casino venue. Beyond gambling, it features two restaurants and a Sports Bar, and also operates an online casino at dragonara.com, extending its brand into the digital space. With a workforce of approximately 200 employees, Dragonara remains a cornerstone of Maltese hospitality and a major contributor to the local economy.
Detailed Review
History & Ownership
The Dragonara Palace was constructed in 1870 as a summer home for banker Emmanuele Scicluna, later Marquis Scicluna. During the World Wars it served as a hospital and shelter. In 1964 the Scicluna family leased the palace to Kursaal Company Limited, which opened Malta’s first casino on July 15, 1964. After several operator changes, the Maltese government assumed ownership of the property in the 1980s and subsequently granted operating concessions. In 2010 Dragonara Gaming Limited was formed as a joint venture between Peninsula Gaming Group and Novomatic AG. DGL was awarded the management contract until 2012, when Peninsula exercised a buy-out option, making DGL a fully Maltese-owned company. In July 2021 the government renewed DGL’s casino concession for another ten years.
Facilities & Gaming
The land-based casino operates 24/7 and offers over 300 slot machines from leading suppliers such as Novomatic, 18 live table games including American roulette, blackjack, Punto Banco, and poker, multi-player electronic tables with 28 terminals, a dedicated poker room with daily tournaments and cash games overlooking St. George’s Bay, a VIP lounge for high-stakes players, and a sports betting lounge powered by IZIBET. Dining options include the Brasserie, Mediterranean Violetta, and Sports Bar.
Online Extension
Dragonara operates an online casino at dragonara.com, featuring slots, table games, and a loyalty programme. The online platform uses the Income Access affiliate management system for its affiliate programme, branded as Dragonara Interactive.
Recent Developments
The €10 million renovation completed in 2025 refreshed the entire property, including the gaming floor layout, restaurant menus, and the addition of the sports betting lounge. The upgrade created 80 new jobs, bringing total employment to around 200.
Licensing & Regulation
The casino holds a Maltese casino concession granted by the Government of Malta and is regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority. The online casino is also licensed by the MGA. Dragonara promotes responsible gambling through BeGambleAware.org and offers self-exclusion tools.
Reputation
Dragonara Casino is widely regarded as Malta’s premier gaming destination, regularly featured in travel and casino industry publications, praised for its historic setting, service quality, and continuous investment.
Key Products
Land-based Casino
Over 300 slots, 18 live table games (roulette, blackjack, Punto Banco, poker), multi-player electronic tables, VIP lounge.
Poker Room
Daily tournaments and cash games in a scenic setting overlooking St. George’s Bay.
Sports Betting Lounge (IZIBET)
A land-based sportsbook partnership offering live odds and a “bet & dine” concept.
Online Casino (dragonara.com)
Digital platform with slots, table games, and a loyalty programme; licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority.
Dragonara Interactive
Affiliate programme for the online casino, powered by Income Access.
My Rewards
Player loyalty programme for land-based and online patrons.
Dining Outlets
Brasserie, Violetta (Mediterranean), Sports Bar.
Offices & Headcount
200 employees (approx.)
Recent News
MGA Flags ‘Pattern’ of Impersonation as Three Unlicensed Sites Mislead Consumers
The Malta Gaming Authority identified three websites impersonating licensed operators and warned consumers to verify licensing status via its official register, highlighting a pattern of misleading claims. The regulator also provided context of ongoing enforcement, including 42 fraudulent URLs found in 2025, as European debates on illegal gambling heat up.
2026-07-17