Updated on March 19, 2025
The Société des Bains de Mer maintains a precious tradition of craftsmanship, both to create a unique gaming experience in the Monte-Carlo casinos and to enhance its brand image and offer unforgettable stays to its customers. The expertise of these men and women behind the scenes is evident in the various workshops and skills dedicated to the meticulous design, manufacture and maintenance of the buildings, furniture, objects, decoration and clothing. A behind-the-scenes look at an exceptional world.
L'Atelier Jeux: in search of perfection
As soon as it was founded in 1863, SBM set up a workshop dedicated to casino games. Nestling in the Saint-Roman district, it houses six craftsmen with a wide range of skills: upholsterers, carpenters, mechanics specialising in games as well as gaming mat printing experts. Under the direction of Jérôme Tachoires, they have been working for 20 years designing and repairing the gaming mats, tables and roulettes that bring life to the five lounges of the Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Casino Café de Paris and the Monte-Carlo suite at the Hôtel de Paris.
Precision and quality of execution are the watchwords, because their work determines the opening of the gaming tables.
“Each table undergoes a rigorous check at 7am, followed by validation at 1pm before the casino opens. Regular checks are also carried out by the gaming police to check the condition of the roulette cylinders.” For the director, rigour is the order of the day. It is essential for maintaining Monaco's reputation as a prestigious gaming destination.
Fabien Basile, an upholsterer at SBM for the past 13 years, is the guarantor of the quality of our play mats. He is the guardian of ancestral manufacturing techniques. “The creative process takes several days,” he explains. “The workshop only uses exceptional leathers from luxury houses and masters the most advanced and sophisticated colouring techniques.” Each mat is therefore unique and must be perfectly taut and smooth to ensure an optimal gaming experience for both customers and croupiers. And the Director adds: “We manufacture and install over 100 mats a year. We like it when they are worn out, it means they have been useful!”
Proof, if it were needed, of the quality of the craftsmanship within the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer: “Some roulette wheels have been present since the inauguration of the Casino de Monte-Carlo in the 19th century. The roulette wheel model used is unique in the world and patented. Its diameter, its slope, the number of obstacles, the depth of the boxes and the dome all contribute to the unique gaming experience offered by Monte-Carlo's casinos,” explains Patrick Riniti, a supervisor with 25 years' experience, who oversees the work on the roulettes, the emblematic symbol of the casinos.
The Atelier des jeux is also adapting to modern constraints while preserving its heritage. Ivory, once used to make the ball and numbers, has been replaced by ceramic. Brass is also preferred for interior roulettes, and stainless steel for exterior roulettes. Éric Schiavetti, with 18 years' experience, uses a unique nitric acid bleaching technique invented right here at the heart of the workshop.
The team also creates special parts: “We've been asked to engrave cups for important Monegasque events, for example,” says Jérôme Tachoires. Passing on this know-how is of key importance for the workshop, which regularly welcomes trainees from the Pasteur school in Nice. But the games workshop faces a major challenge: recruiting new multi-skilled craftspeople to maintain its high standards and excellence.
Behind the scenes at the Casino Café de Paris Monte-Carlo, the expertise of the professionals at Atelier Unique Jeux is at the heart of the customer experience. A team of specialists combines technical know-how with a sense of innovation to carefully select each slot machine, taking into account design, trends and the most advanced technologies. Their attention to detail guarantees impeccable maintenance and rapid repairs, ensuring optimum playability.
Carpentry and painting: the caretakers of the establishments
The carpentry and painting workshops are integrated into the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer maintenance workshops and bring together several trades: locksmiths, carpenters, painters, upholsterers, bricklayers, a decorator and a marble worker. Their mission: “Maintaining the 28 buildings of SBM, including casinos, villas and premises in Monaco and France”, explains Didier Marzi, Head of Maintenance and Workshops.
Comprising 32 people, the team sometimes calls on external companies for certain tasks. The team and its skills are invaluable: the art trades are becoming increasingly rare, and recruiting qualified craftspeople is a challenge.
These multi-skilled craftspeople are few in number and costly, but their work is indispensable: in twenty years, they have accumulated more than 350,000 work orders! Their philosophy: “Think before you run”, says the Director! By analysing the situation and moderating requests, they are able to move forward in good spirits to complete their mission.
Eco-responsibility is becoming an increasingly important part of their daily lives, encouraging them to reuse materials and look for sustainable solutions. In this way, they are part of a modern approach, while preserving traditions. For example, the carpentry workshop restores and refurbishes damaged furniture and objects, in case they are needed in the future.
Seamstresses for a touch(up) of elegance
The clothing department is responsible for adjustments and maintenance of uniforms for all Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer departments, except catering. Measurements, fittings and alterations are carried out before the clothing is distributed to the staff, all in close collaboration with the purchasing department, which takes care of selection and orders. “Due to wear and tear or variations in staff weight, uniform rotation is high! So we need stock in all the standard sizes, to be adapted to each morphology” explains Stéphanie Petri, seamstress in the clothing department.
It's a job that flirts with tailor-made solutions, demands constant adaptability and is at the service of the many people working in SBM's many different trades. “The relationship of trust is essential to guarantee the impeccable and prestigious image of staff, particularly casino and hotel employees,” she stresses. Doormen, gaming clerks, waiters, everyone passes through the expert hands of the seamstress to present themselves in their best light.
She also plays a key role in communication with suppliers, providing them with important information about the specific requirements for each uniform. Versatile and passionate, she is the guarantor of SBM's brand image on a daily basis.
A design office for innovative developments
The core values of Société des Bains de Mer are quality and attention to detail. As well as providing gaming tables and uniforms, its mission is also to offer its customers unique environments. To achieve this, an in-house design office, headed by Stéphanie Rainaut and comprising two interior architect project managers, an architect draughtsman, a plan manager, two furniture and accessories buyers and an administrative secretary, is dedicated to the design and implementation of interior and architectural fit-out projects for the entire resort.
“Our work, beyond dedicating ourselves to the design and realization of new spaces, also involves supporting operators in their investments by offering tailored solutions for the maintenance of establishments, thus preserving the Resort’s level of excellence. This support covers everything from design to the validation of solutions, FF&E (furniture) and OS&E (accessories) procurement, all the way to the organization of deliveries and installations", emphasises the Director.
The Design Office is currently in charge of interior design for the renovation of two of the group's flagship hotels. At the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, the aim is to reaffirm the identity of the establishment by harmonising the interior and exterior architecture. TheHôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo is modernising its rooms while retaining its Belle Époque atmosphere and chic feminine elegance. These projects testify to SBM's determination to offer its customers a remarkable experience and a refined environment in all its establishments.
Craftsmanship: a cornerstone of the Monte-Carlo experience
SBM's various workshops and offices underline the importance of craftsmanship and fine art in creating an exceptional Monte-Carlo experience. Their commitment to quality, preservation, tradition and innovation guarantees an unrivalled gaming experience and contributes to the reputation of the Principality as an exceptional luxury and entertainment destination.
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