Video gaming has bloomed from a once niche hobby to a global market worth billions of dollars. And with so many game developers gunning for a piece of the multi-billion cake, it is only natural that some of the top game titles have incorporated online casino gaming – another booming market – into their gameplay. These games feature immersive casino mini-games that take you away from the main action and thrust you into the world of poker, roulette, blackjack, slots, and other classic casino games. The only downside is that you cannot make real money in these games – you have to visit the most sought-after online casinos for that. Otherwise, they are a great way to sharpen your casino skills and take a well-deserved break. Here is a look at six places where you can find these mini-games.
1. GTA Online Casino
GTA Online thrusts you into the city of Los Santos, forcing you to find a way to get rich by completing missions. The virtual world previously featured a closed casino that opened to players in 2019: The Diamond Casino & Resort. Here, you can break from the high-octane action that is so characteristic of GTA and test your skills at a poker table. You can also play roulette or slots or pop in at the Inside Track for some horse race betting.
2. Fallout: New Vegas
No one can mesh the world of online casinos into a war-ridden dystopian world like Fallout: New Vegas. This post-apocalyptic game allows you to roam the remains of Las Vegas and the Strip, exploring different locations, including casinos. In fact, Fallout: New Vegas is home to seven casinos, including the Sierra Madre Casino and the Atomic Wrangler. When you need a break from the quests and NPCs, you can enter one of these establishments and enjoy casino games like blackjack, slots, and roulette. Fallout even offers a fictitious card game called Caravan, created especially for the series.
3. The Red Dead Redemption Series
Playing an outlaw in the Wild West seems to go hand in hand with gambling. Maybe this is why both titles in the Red Dead Redemption Series are packed with realistic casino mini-games woven into the main storyline. Technically, these games take place in saloons due to the period and setting. They include blackjack, poker, and other classic card games alongside action-packed games like horseshoes and wrestling. Even better, the casino mini-games in Red Dead Redemption allow you to make cash, unlock achievements, and win exclusive gear.
4. The Sims 3
Considered one of the best simulation titles, The Sims series has sold millions of copies since its 2000 launch. The third installation of the popular game allows players to purchase extra features and add them to the game, one of which is the Lucky Simoleon Casino. Here, you can level up in the main game by playing roulette (Let It Ride), poker (Dead Man’s Hand), blackjack (Hit ‘em Harder), and slots (Triple Riches Slots O’ Jackpot).
5. GTA: San Andreas
Unlike in GTA Online, the casinos in GTA: San Andreas are only accessible in single-player mode. You can get away from the cutthroat world of crooked cops and gangs and enjoy your favorite casino games at one of three virtual locations in Las Venturas: The Four Dragons Casino, Casino Floor, and Caligula’s Palace. The catalog here features Wheel of Fortune, video poker, slots, roulette, and blackjack.
6. Watch Dogs (Poker)
Watch Dogs launched to a lot of hype, and so far, it has lived up to it. In addition to an immersive and creative storyline, the game features a poker mini-game. The interface – the poker tables, cards, etc. – is so realistic and detailed it will feel like playing real poker.
Conclusion
Technological developments have made video game graphics so realistic and immersive that playing these casino mini-games will feel like visiting an online casino. Whether you like to throw some cards or toss the dice, there is a casino game for you in these six video games.
