🎮 Top 10 Video Games with Gambling as a Side Quest Feature

From pixelated Poké-slots to wild west poker tables, these games double down on the fun.

In the world of gaming, not every jackpot comes from a spinning reel in an online casino. Sometimes, it’s hidden away in a dusty tavern, behind a neon-lit arcade, or tucked into a roleplaying quest. Whether you’re bluffing your way through a poker match or spinning a virtual slot in search of rare loot, gambling mini-games have always added a thrilling layer to mainstream video games.

Here are 10 video games that feature gambling as a side quest or mini-game, adding risk, reward, and a little bit of Vegas to your virtual adventures.

1. Pokémon (Red/Blue to Platinum) – Game Corner Slots

Before it was phased out due to international gambling laws, Pokémon’s Game Corner featured fully playable slot machines. Players could insert coins, spin reels, and even influence the outcome slightly by timing their button presses. The reward? Rare items and Pokémon like Porygon, only available through gambling.🎰 Odds of winning: Low. Nostalgia hit: Very high.

2. Red Dead Redemption & Red Dead Redemption 2 – Poker, Blackjack, & More

Step into the saloon and take a seat. Rockstar’s open-world westerns let players gamble in true frontier fashion: Texas Hold ’Em, Blackjack, and Five Finger Fillet. You can even cheat at cards in RDR2—if you’re slick enough.🃏 A gambler’s paradise in spurred boots.

3. Stardew Valley – CalicoJack at the Casino

After earning a Club Card, players can access the desert Casino and play CalicoJack (a blackjack variant) or slots. Win enough and you’ll earn Mr. Qi Coins, which can be used to buy unique items.🌾 Even cozy farm life has its wild side.

4. Grand Theft Auto V – The Diamond Casino & Resort

While GTA Online’s casino is closest to a full-on gambling sim, even in the single-player story you can find games of chance scattered throughout the game world. GTA revels in its satire of real-world excess, and the Diamond Casino is no exception.💎 Drive, steal, gamble—it’s Vegas meets Los Santos.

5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Gwent Tournaments

Okay, not gambling in the traditional sense, but Gwent, the in-universe card game, is so intricate it spawned its own standalone title. In-game, Geralt can bet on matches and enter tournaments with coin and pride on the line.♠ Wager your way across the Continent.

6. Final Fantasy Series – Gold Saucer, Tetra Master, & More

From Final Fantasy VII’s Gold Saucer, filled with mini-games and slots, to FFVIII’s Triple Triad and FFIX’s Tetra Master, this series is packed with gamble-heavy diversions. Rewards range from powerful gear to rare summons.🎲 Fantasy meets fortune in spectacular style.

7. Fallout: New Vegas – Strip Casinos

It’s called New Vegas for a reason. Obsidian’s Fallout RPG features functioning casinos where players can play roulette, blackjack, and slots—and even get banned for winning too much.☢ Post-apocalyptic gaming with pre-apocalyptic luck.

8. Yakuza Series – Pachinko, Mahjong, & Underground Casinos

In Yakuza, the streets of Kamurocho are full of distractions, including pachinko parlors, mahjong halls, and illegal gambling dens. These side activities are so detailed, they could be games on their own.🀄 Honor, fists, and a full house.

9. Dragon Quest XI – Casino Side Quests

Like many JRPGs, Dragon Quest XI includes full-blown casinos with slots, poker, and even monster races you can bet on. Winning big can net you rare weapons, armor, or crafting items.🐉 Slay monsters by day, gamble by night.

10. Watch Dogs: Legion – Digital Poker in a Dystopian London

This open-world hacktivist adventure lets you play digital poker, often as a distraction or way to earn extra currency. While not as robust as others on this list, it adds to the game’s immersion and realism.🕶 High-tech surveillance meets high-stakes cards.

🎰 Why We Love Gambling Mini-Games

There’s something deeply satisfying about stepping away from the main quest to test your luck on a side hustle. Whether it's earning currency, unlocking collectibles, or just blowing off steam, in-game gambling scratches the same itch as online slots—but with fewer losses and more dragons.

Looking for the real deal? Our site covers the best and safest ways to enjoy online slots & online sweepstakes casinos like Play Sweeps Now Casino or Sweepstakes Online.—but it’s always fun to see how virtual gambling pops up across your favorite franchises.