Monaco has drawn a firm line in the sand. Snapping a quick photo in a casino or hotel could now land you in trouble — if you don’t have permission, that is.
A new law has officially criminalised unauthorised photography and filming inside Monaco’s glitzy casinos and luxury hotels. For a place that thrives on exclusivity and privacy, it’s a move that formalises a long-standing cultural code — don’t point a lens at someone unless they say it’s OK.
Privacy Is No Longer Just a Polite Request — It’s Law
It’s not that this is new behaviour. Locals and staff alike have always understood that discretion is part of the package deal in Monaco. But the government has now laid it out in black and white, with legislation to back it.
Article 308-2 of Monaco’s updated Penal Code bans photography or filming of anyone without their explicit consent. It doesn’t stop there. Article 308-3 makes distributing those images illegal. Article 308-4 doubles down, reinforcing the ban on sharing content that breaches someone’s privacy.
For a place that hosts everyone from Hollywood A-listers to Arab royalty and European aristocrats, the law feels more like a formality than a shift. Yet the stakes are different now. It’s no longer just bad manners to pull out your phone — it could cost you.
What the Law Actually Says — And What It Doesn’t
Interestingly, Monaco’s government hasn’t released specific details about the penalties. There’s talk of fines and criminal charges, but no numbers have been shared yet. It seems they’re leaving room for discretion.
The law doesn’t just apply to tourists with camera phones. It also affects influencers, vloggers, and even news crews. If you’re filming someone without a green light, that footage may be illegal — no matter how harmless it seems.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s covered:
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Photos and videos taken without a person’s consent inside casinos or hotels
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Content sharing, whether online or offline, if the original capture was unauthorised
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Applies to all individuals, regardless of the photographer’s intent
But there’s still ambiguity. What if a selfie accidentally includes a celebrity in the background? What if you’re filming yourself and someone walks by? That grey area could create confusion, or worse, legal drama.
Multilingual Warnings Are Already in Place
If you visit any major casino or hotel in Monaco right now, you’ll notice the signs. They’re hard to miss.
The Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), which operates the city’s most iconic venues, has installed new multilingual signs across its properties. That includes the Casino de Monte-Carlo, Casino Café de Paris, Sun Casino, and Monaco Bay Resort Casino.
The message is clear:
“Please do not film or photograph hotel and casino guests. Any offender is subject to sanctions.”
This isn’t a polite request anymore. These signs are backed by the force of law. And they’re printed in several languages, aimed squarely at Monaco’s international clientele.
It’s a preventative measure too. By placing the signs at entrances and public areas, venues are reducing the chances of accidental infractions. You’ve been warned, quite literally.
Monaco’s Image as a Safe Haven for the Elite
Monaco isn’t just a tax haven. It’s a privacy haven. With a population of under 40,000 and some of the tightest security anywhere in Europe, it’s long been a magnet for the ultra-wealthy.
Here, discretion isn’t just appreciated — it’s expected. Paparazzi don’t get far, and the press treads lightly. For high-profile guests, the appeal is obvious: no one’s pointing a camera at you while you’re playing blackjack or sipping champagne.
There’s even an unspoken code among residents. You might see a prince, a billionaire, or a global pop star — but no one makes a fuss. That’s the Monaco way.
The new law takes this cultural ethos and writes it into law. And in doing so, it strengthens the principality’s status as a rare bubble where privacy still means something.
Could This Spark a Trend in Other Luxury Destinations?
Other luxury destinations are watching closely. From the French Riviera to Dubai’s five-star resorts, privacy is a hot commodity. But few places have gone as far as Monaco in putting legal teeth behind the idea.
It raises a fair question — will others follow suit?
A few things could hold them back. For starters, enforcement is tricky. Monaco is small, with tightly controlled venues. That’s not the case in sprawling resort towns or cities with looser surveillance.
Second, there’s the tourist backlash to consider. Social media is a major part of travel now. Many visitors expect to film their stays, tag the location, and share it with followers. Clamp down too hard, and you risk alienating a large chunk of your audience.
But Monaco isn’t worried about going viral. It’s playing a different game.
One Law, Many Interpretations
Not everyone agrees on how this will play out. Legal experts, residents, and even some hotel staff have raised concerns.
Some say the law could be hard to apply in real time. Others wonder if it gives too much power to complainants. For example, could someone use the law to threaten a tourist who simply snapped a scenic shot of the casino exterior?
It’s also unclear how the law affects events, like weddings or conferences, hosted inside hotels. Would a wedding guest need written consent to post a group photo on Instagram?
Still, most agree that the spirit of the law is aligned with Monaco’s values. It’s about trust, discretion, and respect.
And, perhaps more than anything else, it’s about control — over one’s image, one’s reputation, and the moment.
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