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Casinos for you
Unexpected Video Games Where Gambling Meets Fun
By Shane Addinall Mar 13, 2022The world of online gambling and casinos is found in many different video games throughout the ages. While not the usual suspects, these titles may surprise you with their included casino content.Gambling has been around for thousands of years, dating back to early civilizations. While it may come in different forms, gambling games are often adjusted to suit the time and place they’re being enjoyed.
You may know that there are video games currently on the market that feature casinos and gambling games. Titles such as GTA Online and Red Dead Redemption both feature different forms of gambling. You can visit a virtual casino in GTA and play for in-game currency or take a seat at a blackjack table when playing Red Dead 2.
However, these are not the only video games where you can play to win (for fun). Let’s take a look at these popular adult-targeting video game titles where you can gamble as you play. Buckle in, as you find yourself very surprised.
✓ Original Pokémon Games
One of the most well-known franchises around the world, Pokémon games haven’t always been about catching creatures on your phone. Many Gen I Pokémon games feature a casino building where you can visit to spin the reels of adorable slots.
Still available today on consoles such as the Nintendo 2DS and 3DS, you can download early versions of the original Pokémon games. Available in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, visiting the Rocket Game Corner will give you access to a number of slot machines where you can bet in-game cash.
In Gen II to IV games, the building is known as the Game Corner, a large building where you’ll find rows of slots, most of which don’t work. The games are familiar with a fun Pokémon theme where you must match symbols to receive in-game rewards.
You can find the casino in the following Pokémon games:
- Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
- Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver
- Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
- Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum
- Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal
What was once a fun tradition to be found in every Pokémon game, the Game Corner buildings were removed from newer titles to maintain the family-friendly age restriction the games have always held.
✓ Stardew Valley
The fun and friendly Stardew Valley may seem like an innocent game but for those who play, it’s easy to see that this video game was created with adults in mind. Sinister storylines, vague and clever descriptions, and an unexpected casino are all a part of the game’s fabric.
After completing several tasks for the mysterious Mr Qi, the casino will be unlocked in the Calico Desert. Use Qi coins to play casino games that resemble slots, blackjack, and roulette to win even more Qi coins that can be exchanged for prizes. You can even purchase the coveted Statue of Endless Fortune (from a rather shady customer) for 1,000,000 gold.
While the games resemble those you’ll find in land-based casinos, playing is all in the name of fun. There is no way to make real-money deposits or withdrawals, with all in-game currency simply used to purchase farm equipment and upgrade buildings.
✓ The Sims 3
For those who’ve spent any amount of time playing the many games available in the Sims franchise, this may come as a real shock. While many have only ever delved into the newest version of the game, The Sims 4, those who explored The Sims 3 will know that there was once a casino available for download.
Lucky Simoleon Casino was available for download from The Sims 3 Store, an online shop that allowed players to purchase additional gameplay items. This item was a premium content venue that featured casino games for your Sims to enjoy.
What makes this very surprising is the squeaky clean reputation that The Sims tends to have. Sims only drink juice with no alcohol added to the game and when things get ‘exciting’, they can retire for a bit of WooHoo. While the game is played by millions of adults around the world, The Sims team has always kept playing as PG as possible.
The addition of the Lucky Simoleon Casino was interesting and it was an optional extra that could be purchased for real money. It was never added to the game through an expansion pack, which is probably how The Sims team got around the possible implications of affecting their game rating.
Honourable mention: The current version of The Sims may not have an official casino available but Sims modder, Arnie, has released a fantastic custom content option for The Sims 4 which can be found on his Patreon page. Look out for the Royal Casino CC available now.
✓ Fable II Pub Games
The Fable franchise is one of the most popular series of video games created by Lionhead Studios. Fable II, the second instalment in the series, has an optional addition containing gambling games called the Fable II Pub Games.
Available as a download for Xbox 360 players, Pub Games was free for those who preordered Fable II from participating retailers. The games included can be played to win in-game rewards for your Fable II character, as well as in-game currency, giving you the chance to start the game with a fair bit of coin.
While not available to play in the game itself, Fable II Pub Games directly impacts the character you play which makes it even more exciting.
There are 3 casino-style games included:
- Fortune’s Tower – A card game featuring multiple decks, the aim of the game is to complete the tower to win the jackpot prize. Complete the card cycles and place your bets to be a winner.
- Keystone – Described by Peter Molyneux, Fable game creator, as "a bit of a cross between Roulette and Craps", Keystone features 3 dice. Based on the bet you place and the roll that lands, winning is all about luck.
- Spinnerbox – Slot games that pay out on a chain of wins, there are 6 different slots to choose from, each with its own fun theme.
If one thing is for sure, each of these video game titles is aimed at providing even more entertainment for adults who choose to indulge in these creations. Gambling and casino games within video game titles may not be as prevalent anymore but it’s all in the name of fun.
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