Gaming at Casino Malindi

By Crystal Okusa

The bright orange colours evident from the gate sets Casino Malindi apart. It is located on the one street town of Malindi and is spacious enough to accommodate hundreds of people. Large palm trees planted both inside and outside the hotel provide a welcoming breeze that wards off the hot air.

The gaming room with different machines and roulette tables.

One of the bars in the Casino.

A couple having fun at the Sushi bar. Photos: Courtesy/Standard

The Casino is divided into three major sections. Gaming, which is the main activity, occupies a whole floor. A big mahogany door opens into this long gambling hall to reveal a wide variety of gaming machines and roulette tables that include 14 different kinds of games; from punto and mini punto banco, blackjack, pontoon, craps, Texas hol’em poker, Indian Ocean stud poker, three card poker, slots, progressive video poker, giant and diamond jackpot bingo. The sports booking is played online.

More than gambling

All gaming tables are open till late upon request. If gaming is not your interest, the Casino also offers two picturesque restaurants and bars — the Italian La Griglia and the floating Japanese Shogun Sushi Restaurant.

The La Griglia Restaurant is set out on a big terrace with wooden tables and softly cushioned seats. The outdoor garden atmosphere sets the mood for an enjoyable and gourmet evening in the warm coastal night. The restaurant offers fresh fish caught daily from the Indian Ocean and prime highland beef. The most delicious Italian dishes are served straight from the grill.

The Shogun Sushi Bar is the Casino’s latest addition and is arguably the first and only floating bar in East Africa. Set near a mini-water fall, a Japanese-type bridge that connects the Sushi Bar and the Caravanserai Garden Bar is surrounded by a pond of lilies and kois (water plants). This restaurant also serves an amazing selection of fresh fish, fruit and vegetables served on oval shaped bowls around the table trail that allows guests the opportunity to pick their food from where they are seated.

The two major bars at the Casino are the Caravanserai Garden Bar set out on the patio next to the Sushi Bar; and the Casino Piano Bar set inside the hotel adjacent to the gaming floor. A professional pianist entertains guests.