Spielbank Garmisch-Partenkirchen Guide and Review
Located in the scenic surroundings of Seefeld in Tirol, Austria, Spielbank Garmisch-Partenkirchen aims to offer a casino experience. However, feedback from visitors reveals a significant divergence of opinions, highlighting both potential strengths and notable weaknesses.
The Positives ✨
Some visitors have found positive aspects during their time at Spielbank Garmisch-Partenkirchen:
- Friendly Reception: Several guests commend the staff at the reception, describing them as "extremely friendly and helpful." This suggests a welcoming first impression for some.
- Casual Gaming Atmosphere: For those who approach gambling without intense seriousness, the casino can be a "great place for fun." It appears to cater to a more relaxed style of play.
- Food & General Atmosphere: One review specifically mentioned "good food" and a "great atmosphere," indicating that aspects beyond just gambling might be enjoyable.
Areas for Improvement 👎
Despite some positive notes, a majority of the feedback points to significant drawbacks and inconsistencies that detract from the overall casino experience:
- Unsettling Atmosphere 🤫:
"Funeral Parlour" Silence
A striking complaint describes the casino's atmosphere as resembling a "funeral Parlour in disguise." One visitor reported being told to "keep it down" while winning at a roulette table, with the rationale that "people are concentrating on 'winning'." This rigid insistence on silence creates an unwelcoming and stifling environment for many who expect a more lively casino setting.
- Subpar Gaming Chips 🎲:
"Mickey Mouse Joint with No Class"
A frequent and prominent complaint revolves around the quality of the casino chips. Described as "tiny plastic chips" with "no weight," and even likened to "plastic bicycle chips" or "tiny rubber discs," they significantly diminish the gaming experience for serious players. This lack of quality contributes to the perception that the casino is a "Mickey Mouse joint with no class."
- Disappointing Poker Offerings:
Advertised But Not Available
Visitors have expressed frustration over poker games being advertised on the casino's website, only to find "no games running" upon arrival. This inconsistency can lead to wasted travel time and considerable disappointment for those specifically seeking poker.
- Challenging Drink Service 🍸:
Paying and Waiting for Drinks
Unlike many international casinos, drinks are not complimentary at Spielbank Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Furthermore, obtaining service can be a "hassle," with one guest having to specifically ask for a waiter to be sent to their table. This contrasts sharply with expectations of proactive and offered drink service in a casino environment.
- Strict and Unclear Entry Requirements 💳:
Passport-Only Policy Causes Issues
A significant barrier to entry for some tourists is the casino's strict policy of only accepting passports for identification, refusing national ID cards. Visitors have reported driving significant distances only to be denied entry, despite explaining that ID cards are practically the same as passports for identification purposes. The casino staff reportedly acknowledge having "more problems with this matter" but offer no understanding or apology, leading to frustration and wasted time.
Conclusion
Spielbank Garmisch-Partenkirchen presents a deeply divided experience. While some appreciate the friendly reception and a relaxed approach to gambling, numerous critical issues undermine its appeal as a full-fledged casino. The unusually quiet atmosphere, the use of low-quality chips, misleading information about poker availability, inconvenient drink service, and rigid entry requirements for identification are recurrent themes in negative feedback. Potential visitors should be aware of these points, particularly the passport-only entry rule, to avoid disappointment. It appears to be a venue better suited for a very casual visit rather than a serious or typical casino night out.
Gambling is fun! You meet people, have some smiles, make conversation, lose some dollars, and think - yea worth it.Well not here!!!This casino is a funeral Parlour in disguise. I was told on the roulette table while winning that i should "keep it down" people are concentrating on "winning." If a frog pharted it would have shattered the silence in that room.Go here if you want to feel what death is like
This is one of the worst casinos that I’ve ever stepped foot in for several reasons. The most apparent shortfall is their casino chips. They might as well be using plastic bicycle chips purchased from the local convenience store. They are these tiny plastic chips that have no weight to them at all.My second complaint is that they advertised poker on their website, but there were no games running when I showed up. They also made us pay for drinks and it was a hassle to even get one served. I had to ask them to send the waiter to the blackjack table. I believe that drinks should be offered and not the other way around.Before anyone thinks I’m just a bitter gambler after losing. I did manage to win my last spin of roulette for a profitable session. It was not enjoyable though getting paid out in tiny rubber discs. I would avoid this casino. It is a Mickey Mouse joint with no class.
Me and my Boyfriend are on holiday here, so we thought it would be nice to take a look in this casino. From our hotel, this was a 40-minute drive... Unfortunately, we couldn't even see the inside of the casino because they didn't accept an ID card. They only take pasports, which is what they told us. We explained that ID and pasport are practically the same thing, but it didn't matter to them. We were told that that's just the rules the casino lives by, and they admitted to having more problems with this matter.Under the circumstances, we'd expect some kind of understanding and maybe some kind of an apology for not being clear enough about this on their website. We only got a simple 'no' about coming in from the receptionist.It's a shame. It would have been a lovely evening, I think.
Great place for fun if you don't take gambling seriously. The ladies at the reception were extremely friendly and helpful. Had a wonderful glass of prosecco there. Definitely going back when I visit Garmisch again.
The management here is disconnected from players. They follow a "tradition" that you should win and lose silently. Don't yell if you win and don't grunt if you lose. This is not las vegas! its such a pathetic imitation and depressing at that. Come if you want to see a bunch of skeletons, in silence, being skeletons.