Casino Kigali officially opened its doors on the 24th of November 2008. The Grand opening saw many distinguished guests including the Chairman of Lotto Rwanda Mr. Robert Bayigamba, and the Casino was officially opened by the Honourable Minister Joseph Habineza. The first spin was conducted by Mr. John Ramsay the Casino Manager.

The Casino boasts 7 Tables on the main floor which includes 3 Roulettes and 4 Card tables and 2 tables in the Salon Prive’. Card games include Black Jack, Casino Hold’em Poker and Oasis Stud Poker. In addition to table games the Casino offers 30 Novomatic Gaminator slot machines, 24 of which are Multigames. There is a wide range of minimums/maximums on the table’s games which are suitable for a wide array of players.

As there are no experienced Rwandan gaming personnel, all the table games staff including Managers, Pit Bosses, Dealers and Inspectors were hired from Kenya and Europe. This means that the service given on the tables is first class and the gaming staff are more than happy to explain the game rules to any new players perhaps entering the casino for the first time.

A comfortable, luxurious bar awaits those people who may just want to relax chat and enjoy a cocktail. The world renowned “Cosmopolitan” cocktail made famous by Carrie Bradshaw of “Sex In The City” fame, was the drink of flavour on the opening night
The Casino is managed and operated by Solna Leisure Holdings an international management and consulting company which has been operating in the gaming business for 16 years and has operated casinos in many parts of the world.
Casino Kigali is the newest entertainment venue in Kigali and the 1st ever Casino opened in Rwanda.

The Casino commissioned a painting by the local artist Mr. Epaphrodite Binamungu, which is a 1.5 meter by 3 meter work of art which pays tribute to some of the items Rwanda is famous for, the Gorillas, Rain Forest and Hills. The Casino is further decorated by wildlife prints by the famous Canadian artist Robert Bateman.

Nearly all of the interior decorations are imported and the décor is predominantly Greens and Golds and is fully carpeted, even the reflective ceiling tiles are imported from the USA. The Casino décor works well and makes for a pleasant combination of sophistication yet relaxing atmosphere. Although not installed on opening night the Casino will have its own independent Air Conditioning which will be fully functional by the launch of this issue of Eye Magazine.

As gaming is new in Rwanda the Casino offers lessons, to those interested, on the various games daily from 20:00-21:00. The management and staff are very friendly and willing to answer even the simplest of questions.

Available on the opening night was a leaflet promoting responsible gaming which is virtually unheard of in these parts of the world. The management wants people to enjoy their experience in the Casino. Gaming Guides for each game explain in simple terms the full rules of the games and are available to guests throughout the Casino.
The Casino operates currently from 20:00-05:00 and will expand these hours once more local Rwandans are trained to assume the gaming positions. The Casino will be a major employer in Kigali and will have a positive impact on both the community and economy. The Casino operates under the License of Lotto Rwanda a company owned by the government and private investors.

The Casino is situated on the 1st floor of the Brand New Top Tower Hotel, which opened recently in October 2008.