Casino Gaming for Xbox Players

Traditionally, e-gaming and i-gaming (video games and casino games) have been seen as different animal breeds entirely, but that is changing. It's not uncommon now for console gamers to find blackjack or other classic casino distractions in their games, and some Xbox games even offer a full-blown casino experience.

The Four Kings Casino and Slots

Think MMO, and the mind naturally drifts to the likes of World of Warcraft and comparable games, but these are technically MMORPGs. The Four Kings Casino and Slots, however, is an MMO of a social nature focused on casino games for Xbox players. Players start their experience with a 3D avatar (not quite RPG character creation but not entirely dissimilar) and can earn themselves nifty new outfits as they progress.

The meat and potatoes of the game are the arrays of casino games that can be enjoyed, with low or high limits depending on player preference. The oldest games, such as blackjack, poker, and roulette, are all on the betting menu. Accompanied by slots, the biggest hit in modern-day casinos, and bingo, which was once seen as an old hat, is now enjoying a resurgence. Online co-op can see up to 30 players compete against each other, and there's also an assortment of add-ons available (mostly involving buying extra chips for real cash).

Nor is this the only dedicated casino gaming option for Xbox players. Other titles for combining e-gaming and i-gaming include Prominence Poker and Casino Nights, with Vegas Party for those more after the glitz and fun than betting.

Playing for Real at Online Casinos

If playing casino games on Xbox whets your appetite, then it's never been easier to play at great online casinos. There are fundamental differences between playing the real deal and playing on Xbox, most notably the chance to win money and the risk of losing it.

For those of a cautious nature or who simply love taking advantage of the best deals, no deposit casino bonuses are the way to go. Many online casinos will offer the chance to get started with free bonuses such as free spins, free cash, and sometimes free entry to poker, blackjack, or slots tournaments. These promotions offer the chance to win real cash without risking any, making it the perfect way for newcomers to decide if they like casino games or not and to test out new slots to see if they tickle your fancy.

Gaming Western-style in RDR2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is the sequel to the smash hit open-world Western RPG that won plaudits galore. Just as with the predecessor game, there's plenty of freedom away from the main quest. And while combat is a mainstay of the gameplay, there are also a lot of other activities to keep you busy.

When you're not blowing away your enemies and want to while away the hours in a more peaceable manner, there are a number of gaming distractions on offer, with one of the most popular being poker. However, it's not the only game available, and you can also try your hand at dominoes and blackjack. Five Finger Fillet is another diversion, although this is not a casino game, as the main risk is accidentally stabbing yourself.

Casino Gaming in GTA V

When it comes to longevity it’s hard to beat Grand Theft Auto V. The game had high expectations and surpassed them all, from high-octane heists in the main game to a great multiplayer mode. It has also, as has become the trend with modern gaming increasingly, benefited from repeated updates for years post-release, and one of these (in 2019, six years after launch) was the Diamond Casino & Resort expansion.

The GTA Online casino has slots for players, card games, blackjack and three card poker, roulette, and virtual horse racing. The Lucky Wheel is a little extra and might even see the player win a fantastic supercar with their daily spin. VIP membership of the casino also has perks, mostly transport-related, not least of which is a limo service to take you wherever you like. As in the real world, slot payouts are based solely on luck, and the same is true of virtual horse racing. With horse racing, though, you can improve your chance of winning by betting on a shorter odds horse. Three-card poker may be your best bet to finish ahead of the card games, although blackjack also has a famously low house edge.

Light-hearted Gaming in Dragon Quest XI

However, it's not just in serious games like Red Dead Redemption 2 or Grand Theft Auto V that gamers can enjoy some relaxing casino games during downtime. Dragon Quest XI is a recent entry in the most classic of Japanese RPGs, still using the traditional art style (with updated graphics) and turn-based combat for an experience that combines old school charm with the convenience of modern tech.

It also features not one but two casinos, the first in Puerto Valor and the second in Octagonia. Winning sufficient chips can see the player exchange these for unique items, including recipes, weapons, and even outfits. There's a good deal of overlap between the two casinos, but one common feature is the light-hearted and generally simple approach to gaming. This is not meant to be an in-depth and realistic casino experience, and the odds of winning are substantially better than in real life. The roulette tables, for example (available late game on the upper floor of Octagonia), are much likelier to have big wins than in reality. A good tip here is that the ball lands in roughly the same area for a while before moving on. In addition, the slime quest slots can be a lot of fun but take up a lot of time. The best way to reliably finish ahead is to play poker in the Puerto Valor casino and have a couple of double-or-nothing rounds if you win a hand.

Gamers are always after something new, and Xbox players who fancy themselves a card shark can now give it a go either in dedicated games or as a diversion in a sandbox RPG.