What is wonderful about seeing casinos appear on video games is that it is not so much about the gambling itself; it’s about the kind of environments these games are capable of evoking. From sprawling casino floors to high-stakes poker games, these virtual worlds offer players a chance to play mock gambling that replicates the real thing—without risk, of course. If you’re a card shark, online slots fanatic, or merely a dreamer who enjoys fantasizing about a try at fortune, there’s a game waiting for you. Here’s a look at five of the best video games where casinos shine, both in concept and execution.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – A Classic Casino Experience
If you’ve ever played Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, then you’re already familiar with the game’s ability to seamlessly blend real-world elements with over-the-top gameplay. There is a heavy element of casinos with this 2004 title because the central character, CJ, is able to go into more than a single casino in Las Venturas in the world used in the game. The game will not only feature traditional casino endeavors like blackjack, poker, and roulette, but it also lets players gamble and win greater sums.
In addition to the gambling features, players will even be able to own one of the game’s casinos themselves. The “Casino” mission mode translates to being able to purchase and operate houses. It’s a great balance between a GTA crime saga and the thrill of operating a company in the cyber world. The casino floors are humongous with the chiming of virtual slots and the excitement of online casino games never quite subsiding. It’s the ultimate example of how gambling can be integrated into a game as both an entertainment device and as a part of the story.
Red Dead Redemption 2 – Poker Tables Meet the Wild West
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a Wild West game from America, and you might not immediately consider blackjack and poker when you’re picturing dark saloons, but the game does have plenty of gambling in it. Poker is an intrinsic part of society in this piece of history, and Red Dead Redemption 2 allows players to take part in casual and competitive games of poker at many of the various venues throughout the enormous open world.
The stakes are high, and the pressure to maintain your poker face is real—even if it’s just a virtual one. The attention to detail is impressive. The clinking of chips, the smoke-filled rooms, and the over-the-top music that plays with every hand of poker make these games feel very realistic. While the game’s focus is predominantly on story quests and discovery, the poker game (against both NPCs and live opponents) acts as a nice distraction without pulling away from the game’s hardcore, unfettered world.
The Sims: House of the Future Meets Gambling
The Sims franchise has never been an open sandbox of creativity, and in The Sims 4, players are once again free to create all their dream homes—and casino reality. In The Sims 4 downloadable content pack, The Sims 4: Get to Work, the game introduces an expansion with a fully integrated casino. They may build their own casinos, run slots, host poker tournaments, and create sims’ lives of luxury in virtual reality.
It’s a charming, occasionally whimsical simulation of the business of running a casino. Of course, since The Sims is based on simulation, none of real, factual gambling occurs here—but the appearance of online slot machines and those flashing neon signs is enough to keep the game player going. It’s an excellent, family-friendly option for those wanting the thrill of the casino but without adult content. And for those who are design enthusiasts in their homes, the casino setup is a nice means of practicing imagination.
Hitman 2 – Casino Heist in Style
While the Hitman series has never been about stealth, strategy, and careful planning, Hitman 2 constructed an enjoyable new aspect of the franchise by incorporating the aspect of a casino heist. This game involves a mission in which Agent 47 infiltrates a tropical paradise high-stakes casino, and it is here that the game takes a drastic turn towards casino gambling. Players will have to carefully plan out their break-in, utilizing their best talents to slip past guards, trip wires, and alarms, and infiltrate the vaults along the way across a vibrant, elaborate casino floor.
Gambling, of course, doesn’t enter into play directly—instead, it’s used as a backdrop for the robbery. But the casino itself is so realistically and meticulously designed that it actually does feel like a game within a game. From the web slots lining the casino floor to the poker games in progress, every square inch of the casino has been planned out. The player must decide how to best utilize their resources and blend in with the crowd while planning the ultimate heist. It’s a wonderful, interactive means of adding a casino atmosphere to an action game.
Casino Tycoon – Build and Run Your Own Empire
For business with pleasure buffs, Casino Tycoon offers the experience of designing, running, and expanding an empire of successful casinos. It is a simulation game released in 2001 where players have to design, run, and expand their very own casino from scratch. This is an ideal game for those who have always imagined what it takes to run a huge casino, from plotting out the layout of the casino floor to operating staff and profit optimization.
The players are allowed to create their own casinos, and even though it’s more of a business venture, there’s no lack of online gambling activities. The inclusion of a large number of online slots and traditional casino games lends the entire experience a real-life touch. As you reconcile the books of the casino and make judgments that affect the overall prosperity of your enterprise, you’ll be able to engage with the gamblers at the tables and slots. The game offers a special window on casino life, mixing strategy, management, and a bit of fortune.
