These Video Games Pack Real Roulette Thrills (And How They Compare to Vegas!)
Spin & Win
For years, minigames have been the playful side quests of video games. They're the coffee breaks between battles, the unexpected pit stops in an open world. Whether you're smashing up cars in Street Fighter II's bonus rounds, downing bowls of ramen in Dragon Ball Budokai, or teeing off in Yakuza's golf challenge, these distractions have added charm and replay value to our favorite titles.
But today's minigames aren't what they used to be. As consoles and PCs have become more powerful, minigames have evolved into full-fledged side experiences. Some are polished enough to stand as games of their own. And among the many types of these diversions, one category has rolled in with particular flair: roulette games and other casino classics.
From post-apocalyptic strips to luxury resorts in virtual cities, video game roulette has made a home inside gaming worlds. And it's not just visual — developers are replicating real-world odds, rules, and even roulette payout structures to deliver an experience that's closer than ever to the real deal.
Let's take a spin through some of the best examples.
GTA Roulette
When Rockstar added the Diamond Casino & Resort to Grand Theft Auto V Online, they weren't playing around. The casino, nestled in the heart of Los Santos, offers a surprisingly realistic take on classic gambling: Three Card Poker, blackjack, slot machines, and yes — roulette games.
The video game roulette experience in GTA mirrors real-life gameplay quite closely. You place your chips, watch the wheel spin, and hope your bets land. From a game design standpoint, GTA nails the roulette payouts, covering everything from single number wins to red/black bets. The visual angle, particularly the top-down camera during the spin, even mimics what players might see in an online casino.
There's a catch, though — you're betting with in-game currency. So while you're not risking your real-world wallet, your character's bankroll can take a serious hit if you don't keep track of your bets. That's where a roulette payout calculator could come in handy, especially for those looking to make strategic plays.
The Sims 3
The Sims series has always been about life simulation, and what's more realistic than blowing off steam in a casino?
With the Lucky Simoleon Casino expansion for The Sims 3, you can do just that. Here, you're not just playing roulette games — you're building the casino, designing the layout, and setting the vibe. While you can't wager real or even meaningful in-game currency, the roulette payouts are still modeled on traditional odds, giving players a taste of how the real thing works.
It's not as immersive as GTA, but it offers more customization and creativity for those who dream of managing their own Vegas-style spot.
Fallout
If your game takes place in Las Vegas, it better include a roulette table. Fallout: New Vegas lets players explore a crumbling but operational Vegas Strip, complete with working casinos. The experience is grittier and more stylized — but yes, you can play video game roulette.
However, don't expect simulation-level accuracy here. Bethesda has admitted that gambling wasn't the core focus of the game, and it shows. The outcomes feel a bit off, and anyone familiar with roulette payouts or the odds might notice the mechanics are simplified. Still, it adds flavor to the setting and scratches that casino itch just enough.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Even fantasy gets in on the fun. Tucked away in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the Roo Casino, where you'll find a roulette wheel among the mead and monsters. What's surprising is how seriously the game treats its roulette game, using RNGs (random number generators) to ensure outcomes are fair and unpredictable, just like in modern online casinos.
It's a far cry from monster hunting, but it adds one more layer of immersion to an already rich world.
Do Video Games Have Gambling?
It's a fair question. As video game roulette and poker tables become more realistic in video games, the line between gaming and gambling starts to blur. In most cases, you're not betting real money — just virtual currency or tokens. But the mechanics and the emotional highs and lows mirror real-world gambling.
There are exceptions, though. Some games, particularly in mobile or online platforms, do allow real-money bets. Others flirt with the concept through loot boxes and chance-based rewards.
Final Spin
As gambling continues to gain legitimacy as a form of entertainment, it's no surprise that it's found a home inside video games. Whether it's a casual diversion in The Sims, a gritty feature in Fallout, or a near-perfect simulation in GTA roulette, one thing is clear: roulette isn't just spinning in casinos anymore — it's rolling straight through your favorite game worlds.
