The first-ever Monte-Carlo Casino at sea has launched aboard the Crystal Symphony cruise ship, featuring a 1,000-square-foot gaming space with 29 slot machines and three live dealer table games - blackjack, American roulette, and Ultimate Texas Hold'em.

The venture results from a partnership between Crystal Cruises and Société des Bains de Mer, Monaco's premier gaming company that operates the historic Monte-Carlo Casino. The Crystal Symphony embarked on its maiden voyage from Venice, Italy, on a four-day journey to Croatia.

The casino launch follows Crystal Cruises' acquisition by A&K Travel Group, owned by Italian billionaire Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio and Geoffrey Kent, who purchased the vessel for $25 million. The company invested in comprehensive renovations, including modernizing the casino to reflect Monte-Carlo's luxury standards.

A second Monte-Carlo Casino will debut aboard Crystal Serenity on December 18, featuring 32 slot machines and three table games. The expansion builds on Lefebvre's long-standing connection to Monaco, where he resides, and his extensive experience in the cruise industry, having previously sold Silversea Cruises to Royal Caribbean Group for $1 billion.

The Casino de Monte-Carlo brand, which opened in 1865, remains majority-owned by the Government of Monaco with a nearly 60% stake, bringing its prestigious heritage to the seas for the first time in its history.

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