The first casino in Bulgaria was built in the Balkan town of Varshets, one of the first thermal Spa centers in the country. The idea for its creation belongs to Dr. Damyan Ivanov – the founder of balneotherapy in Bulgaria. In 1910  Dr. Ivanov created the first state mineral bath in the city. The building, which opened in 1924 is a replica of the casino in Baden – Baden, in the style of the late European Baroque. The author of the project is arch. Nikola Neshov, who also designed the buildings of the two mineral baths in the city. In the 1930s, the casino had a pastry shop, a restaurant and a dance hall, and in 1938 was electrified.

A frequent guest of the casino was Prince Cyril of Bulgaria and due to this fact the name of the casino soon changed to “Royal Casino”.

There are many Art Deco villas and two thermal  baths around the casino building.

Now the Royal Casino is empty and in ruins. It has been abandoned long time and only the impressive building reminds of its former glory, when the cream of the capital used to gather there. During the years of socialism it was turned into a dining room.

In 1992 the building, owned by the Ministry of Health, was sealed and left in ruins. The local authorities planned to turn it into a disco, but the funds were still not enough. The windows are broken and only birds find shelter in the halls of the former glamorous casino.