Although they are two completely separate entities, video games and casinos have more in common than you may think. When you take them back to the more basic elements both require a certain degree of strategy, skill, timing and luck, they both are also about having lots of fun. One might be about winning real money as well, but the core values are pretty much the same.
In this article, we will be looking at some video games in which you can find some form of gambling. Here are our top five games where you can spin a wheel or two.
Fallout New Vegas
The prominent place to start is in Post Apocalyptic Las Vegas. This spin-off of the Fallout franchise has enjoyed a cult following since its 2010 release. Being set in and around the glittering Vegas Strip, you can find a multitude of Casinos and games to play in this Californian wasteland. There are five casinos in the main game, where you can play Blackjack, Roulette and Slots. There is even a DLC dedicated to a casino called Dead Money. This DLC focuses on recovering the Sierra Madre Casino’s treasure. Dead money in itself is a Poker reference.
If you want to more about Fallout New Vegas, check out our spotlight blog on the game.
Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
Now time for a blast from the past and possibly one of the best examples of video game gambling. San Andreas has full-blown casinos for you to explore and lots of games to play at the tables. You can play blackjack, roulette, slots and video poker, to name a few. You can borrow money in the casino to help you play, but this is only really available for the high rollers. However, if you do not pay your money back, going broke is the least of your problems. Now in the more recent updates in Grand Theft Auto V, you can go to casinos and get your own luxury penthouse on top of the casino. If that doesn’t scream high roller I’m not sure what does.
Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2
Going now to the Wild West, we have another Rockstar production. The main games in both iterations of the Cowboy simulator are blackjack and poker. There are some real old-timey games such as liar’s dice and horseshoes on offer to immerse yourself in the experience.
Bioshock Series
Now this one is very obscure, but if you know where you are looking, then you can gamble in the fallen city of Rapture. In Bioshock, you can find some slot machines in Fort Frolic, which is no surprise. The slot will payout on your first spin but after that winning will become increasingly more difficult. In Bioshock 2, some more slot machines can be found in the Mermaid Lounge in Siren Alley. Finally, in Bioshock Infinite’s DLC Burial at Sea part 1, Booker can play slots by the Need to Know Theatre on the High Street. Elizabeth will comment “better quit while you’re ahead”. It is interesting to note that the slot stops on 7-7-* which is the number ball Booker picks up in the main game.
Watch Dogs
Finally, we take a trip to Chicago and get into the broody shoes of Aidan Pierce. While you can take on the residents of the windy city in drinking games and also have a battle of wits with the street con men, its poker that is the main draw here, as the focus of this game is hacking; you can hack one of the CCTV cameras to spy on your opponent’s cards. If you have some Poker skills, then you can use this to your advantage.
