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The Five Best Casino Video Games Ever

Mike J. DaviesBy Mike J. Davies Editor in Chief at Casinos.US Updated: 07/26/2023
Mike J. Davies Mike J. Davies Editor in Chief at Casinos.US See Full Bio

Mike is our Senior Editor and experienced gambling strategist. A former hockey player, he transitioned to the casino industry after finishing his B.A. in English. Blackjack systems, online casino guides, gambling terms, and more – Mike is familiar with all fine points of gambling.

Grand Casino Tycoon Video Game logo Best Casino Video Games Ever

Welcome to today’s blog, where we look at the best casino video games for console and PC! In this article, we’ll look at some of the top casino games ever created. Whether you want to play the best casino simulation game, or want to build your own casino empire, there are casino-themed video games for everyone.

Casino Video Games: An Introduction

Casino video games offer a great combination of gambling and gaming right at your fingertips. These games, playable on various platforms, enable you to experience the thrill of a casino without stepping out of your house or having to risk any of your own money.

Whether you’re into online slots, poker, blackjack, or roulette, these games offer a wide variety of gambling activities, and we’ll be showing you some of the best games in today’s blog.

What Are Casino Computer Games?

Casino computer games have been around since the early days of video gaming, providing a virtual alternative to traditional gambling. They’ve been around – pretty much – since the first consoles were released, and over time, the variety and quality of these games have grown significantly.

In the beginning, simple games of poker and blackjack were widely available on PCs and gaming consoles. From Atari’s ‘Casino’ in 1978 to NES’s ‘Vegas Dream’ in 1988, these early games introduced gamers to the fun of digital gambling without having to spend any real money, and they came long before the creation of online casinos and online gambling websites.

Fast forward to today, we see a vast selection of games available on platforms such as Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, each with their unique spins on playing casino games. For example, some games are designed exclusively around casino games, while others allow you to play games like blackjack as part of a mini-game or side mission.

It’s important to note that the casino video games we’ll be looking at today are not designed for real money play. So, if you’re looking to play blackjack online, for example, you’ll need to choose a real money online casino instead.

Casino Tycoon: A Davilex Games Classic

Casino Tycoon is a simulation game that puts players in charge of managing their own virtual casino. It was released by Cat Daddy Games in 2001 for PC and Mac, followed by ports to mobile platforms including iOS and Android. The goal of the game is to build and expand a thriving casino empire by building different facilities and attractions, hiring staff, and marketing to attract new patrons.

It’s in the same vein of games as Rollercoaster Tycoon, and this casino simulation game allows you to manage and build a casino rather than playing in one. In Casino Tycoon, you start with a limited budget, designing and managing your very own casino. The goal is to attract guests, keep them entertained, and turn a profit. As you progress, you’ll unlock more games to offer, including slots, poker tables, and blackjack, providing an increased level of complexity and strategy.

You’ll begin by choosing a location for your casino, before designing its layout and appearance. Next, you must hire employees to run the day-to-day operations, such as security guards, dealers, and servers. Once the basics are in place, you can focus on adding amenities and attractions to draw in more guests, and these can include things like restaurants, bars, shops, and live entertainment venues.

There is no “winning” the game, as such, but in order to improve and progress you need to be able to balance expenses against income, maintain high guest satisfaction ratings, and continually invest in upgrades and improvements to keep the establishment fresh and appealing.

Along the way, you may even run into lawsuits, employee conflicts, and rival casinos trying to poach away your guests, so it’s an incredibly realistic video game, that has to go down as one of the best PC casino games of all time.

Prominence Poker: Bluffing Skills

Prominence Poker, developed by Pipeworks Studio and released in 2016, takes a different approach. It’s a poker game set in the fictional city of Prominence, a city ruled by crooked goons and riddled with corruption.

As a player, you’ll not only face off against AI opponents in intense poker matches but also have to build your reputation in the poker underworld. The story-driven nature of the game is complemented by a multiplayer mode where you can test your poker skills against other players around the world, making it suitable for pretty much any type of gamer.

One of the things that Prominence Poker is most well-known for is its high-quality, realistic graphics. The character designs and environments are fantastic, and they really draw you into the game as soon as you begin playing. Whether you’re an experienced poker player or a casual video gamer, Prominence Poker offers an unforgettable poker experience, perfectly intertwined with an immersive storyline.

The Four Kings Casino: Virtual Social Hub

The Four Kings Casino and Slots is another of the top casino computer games, offering one of the most realistic examples of a casino simulation and boasting a wide array of popular casino games. There’s a social aspect tied into the game too, as it has multiplayer functions enabled. Developed by Digital Leisure and initially released on PlayStation 4 in 2015, the game has since expanded its reach to PCs and the Nintendo Switch, as well as Facebook.

At its core, The Four Kings Casino and Slots focuses on its huge virtual casino. Players get to create personalized 3D avatars and interact with others in the hugely detailed game environment. This social component, along with the vast selection of games like poker, blackjack, roulette, and slots, makes for a fantastic gaming experience.

Gameplay revolves around completing quests assigned by various characters met during visits to different parts of the casino. These tasks typically involve collecting items, solving puzzles, or competing in mini-games representing popular casino activities such as slots, poker, roulette, craps, and bingo. Each completed mission earns rewards in the form of chips, coins, keys, cards, and gems used to purchase new goods, upgrade abilities, and unlock advanced content.

If, for example, you want to play roulette online without risking any real money, The Four Kings Casino and Slots is an excellent game, as you can do so, and enjoy the company of other players while you gamble, too!

Hoyle Casino: PC Game to Casino

Hoyle Casino is one of the best casino video games in the world, and it also happens to be one of the oldest, first appearing in the late 90s for Windows PCs. The game has since been re-released and updated a number of times, and it’s now available on multiple consoles and devices. Developed by Sierra On-Line, the game provides players with a diverse assortment of casino favorites, from table games to slots, horse racing, and more.

Even in the early days, when graphics were nothing compared to what we see today, Hoyle Casino built a reputation for offering great-looking visuals, a user-friendly interface, and an authentic gaming atmosphere. In fact, the game proved to be such a success, the brand actually opened as a real online casino, although this is separate from the video game version.

The game’s user-friendliness makes Hoyle Casino perfect for both hardcore enthusiasts and casual gamers alike, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the thrills of gambling, without needing to risk any of their own money – and it’s possible to play from pretty much any device or console in the world!

Hard Rock Social Casino: Rock and Roll Fun

Hard Rock Social Casino is an online-only video game that was developed by the Hard Rock chain, along with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Released in 2018, this game is available on web browsers, iOS, and Android platforms. It offers players an engaging casino experience and the rock ‘n’ roll vibe associated with the famous Hard Rock brand.

Hard Rock Social Casino offers a huge selection of games, including slots, blackjack, roulette, and video poker. All new players are given 200,000 free coins to begin playing with, and if you run out of coins, you can earn or buy more. Alternatively, you can wait until the next day to receive more for free.

One of the most notable features of the game is its ‘Skill Slots’, a game mode that blends traditional slot gameplay with skill-based mini-games, providing an innovative and exciting experience. The game also features ‘Hard Rock Moments’, allowing players to collect virtual memorabilia associated with Hard Rock’s rich music history.

Below, you can see a few other casino video games that are worth checking out if you’re interested in the genre:

Game Name Platform(s)
Red Dead Poker Xbox, PlayStation
Poker Night at the Inventory PC, Mac
Pure Hold ’em Xbox, PlayStation, PC
Full House Poker Xbox
High Rollers Casino PlayStation 2, Xbox

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're looking to play the best casino video games, make sure to look at some of our recommendations on this page. To finish things off, we'll be answering a few frequently asked questions, below.

When was Casino Tycoon released?

Casino Tycoon was released back in 2001, by a company called Cat Daddy Games. However, the publisher of the game is Davilex, which has caused some confusion. The game was originally released on the PC, although it's since been ported to other devices and consoles, too.

What was the first casino computer game released?

According to most experts, the first casino video game was Atari's Casino, released in 1978. Nothing much else entered the market until Vegas Dream, from NES in 1998, although since then, we've seen a number of studios releasing casino video games, some of which have proven to be incredibly popular with players.

Can casino video games offer a social experience?

Absolutely! Games such as The Four Kings Casino and Slots create a virtual social hub where players can interact, compete, and socialize, offering a community-focused, social experience in addition to the casino games.

Can you win real money playing casino video games?

No; while some games, like Hoyle Casino have since had their branding used at online casinos, if you're playing a casino video game on a PC, console, or other device, you won't be able to win real money. If you want to win real money, head to an online casino instead.

Is Hard Rock Social Casino an official game?

Yes! Hard Rock Social Casino is developed by the company that owns and operates the Hard Rock resorts and casinos, alongside with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
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