Top 10 Video Games with Gambling Mini-Games You Can Win At
Discover the best video games with gambling mechanics you can win in, plus tips to beat the odds.
Gambling in video games has quietly evolved from a minor feature to a full-blown trend. Back in the day, you’d spot it in older titles. Maybe a quick poker game during a James Bond mission or a blackjack table in a dusty RPG inn.
Today, it’s pretty much everywhere. These mini-games are tucked into massive open-world adventures, mobile apps, and even party games. There’s just something about the mechanics of gambling that fits perfectly with gaming: quick decisions, high risk, big reward – repeat.
Whether you’re looking for gambling games to play with friends or just want a break from traditional quests and missions, this list rounds up the best casino video games where the odds aren’t stacked against you, and you might actually walk away a winner.
Best Video Games with Gambling Mini-Games
So, which titles feature the best gambling games? Here are our top picks:
Grand Theft Auto V – Diamond Casino & Resort
GTA V’s Diamond Casino gives players access to blackjack, three-card poker, and roulette. It looks like a full Vegas setup, but blackjack is your best bet, especially if you know basic strategy. Smart moves like doubling down on a soft 18 against a dealer’s 6 can really turn the tables.
Slots, on the other hand, will burn through your money fast. Roulette offers slightly better returns if you stick to inside bets and avoid chasing red/black streaks.
Red Dead Redemption 2 – Poker and Blackjack
Rockstar knows how to handle gambling in video games, and Red Dead Redemption 2 lets you sit at poker tables across various towns. The poker AI tends to follow predictable patterns, and bluffing doesn’t work often, but you can bait opponents into traps.
Blackjack is also playable in several locations. You can’t count cards, but you can study the dealer’s habits. Some players report dealers hitting soft 17 in certain towns.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Gwent
Gwent, the card game built into The Witcher 3, doesn’t involve chips or cash, but it still plays like a gambling game. You stake gold on matches and earn better cards by winning, which raises the stakes quickly.
Once you figure out how to build synergy between card types and when to pass a round early, you’ll start steamrolling NPCs.
Yakuza 0 – Underground Casinos and Mahjong Parlors
Yakuza 0 features hidden casinos and gambling halls where you can play poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and traditional Japanese games like koi-koi and oicho-kabu.
Blackjack is the easiest to win; the AI rarely adjusts its strategy. Conservative betting with the occasional smart double-down can earn steady wins.
Fallout: New Vegas – Blackjack, Slots, Roulette
Fallout: New Vegas drops you into a post-apocalyptic casino town where the gambling games actually follow proper rules. At blackjack tables across the Strip, stick to standard strategy. If you boost your Luck stat, you’ll start seeing better hands and more frequent wins.
High Luck also affects roulette and slots, leading to potentially massive payouts. Win too much, and some casinos will ban you, yes, the game tracks your success.
Final Fantasy VIII – Triple Triad
Triple Triad starts as a simple side quest but quickly turns into a full-fledged gambling game. You stake cards that can be permanently lost or won. Each region has its ruleset, affecting how powerful each card is.
To win consistently, players must adapt to local rules, learn turn order, and bait opponents into bad plays. Smart card placement and combo flips help tilt every match in your favor. It’s not a traditional casino game, but it’s one of the best gambling mini-games in the fantasy genre.
Watch Dogs: Legion – Bare Knuckle Boxing Bets
This game lets you bet on underground fights scattered across London. You can wager money on fighters or jump in and fight yourself. Unlike most gambling mini-games, this one relies on actual skill and fighter stats.
Fighters with high stamina and strength have a better shot at winning. The game shows stats before each round, so you can make smart picks. If you're playing, study attack patterns and skip flashy fighters.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – Dice and Gambling Taverns
In taverns throughout the Caribbean, you’ll find Liar’s Dice, a bluff-heavy gambling game. Each player secretly rolls five dice and bets on the total number of a certain die face among all players. You win by calling bluffs or pressuring others to fold.
NPCs are programmed to play cautiously, which makes them predictable. Aggressive bets early in the round often throw them off balance.
Persona 5: Casino Palace
In the later stages of Persona 5, the Phantom Thieves find themselves infiltrating a giant casino. While most of the gambling is tied to the story, there are mini-games like slots, rigged roulette, and card tables. The trick is figuring out how the system cheats, and then exploiting that.
Players who follow the right paths can manipulate game mechanics and walk away with huge wins. This, too, isn’t traditional gambling, but it mirrors real-world scams in casinos. As far as video game casino levels go, this one is stylish and surprisingly strategic.
Far Cry 3: Poker
Far Cry 3 features fully playable poker tables at bars and outposts around the map. You can jump in anytime and wager in-game cash. The poker AI tends to overplay weak hands, frequently calling with nothing or chasing bad draws.
Bluffing doesn’t work well here, but tight, solid play does. Wait for strong hands and bet big only when you’ve got something real—the odds tilt in your favor. It’s fast, fair, and fun.
The Morality of Gambling in Video Games Casinos
Gambling in video games used to be simple: just a card game tucked into a mature title. Now, it shows up in all kinds of games, including those aimed at younger audiences.
That’s what makes it a bit controversial. Some see it as harmless fun, while others worry it encourages risky behavior at an early age.
That said, not all gambling mechanics in video games are bad. Some promote strategy, patience, and smart risk-taking. The real issue starts when games mimic real-world betting systems without any limits or safeguards.
Since video game gambling features often exist in a gray area, it’s ultimately up to developers, players, and parents to know where to draw the line.