The gamification of gambling sites and monetization of gaming have blurred the lines in both industries in recent years. Some in-game purchases have been likened to gambling with consumers paying for the chance of earning more valuable prizes, while online casinos have improved the user experience by including animated bonus games in slot machines.
Both the gambling and gaming industries are highly competitive, so immersive and exciting gameplay is essential to attracting and retaining customers. Gambling expert Roland Arum describes the variety of games and developers involved with online casinos as a key factor that consumers should consider when choosing one. (Source: https://www.sportstalkphilly.com/gambling-sites) The gaming industry has integrated some elements of gambling into its gaming, with some characters adopting personas that enjoy gambling, including the following.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – Lance Vance
GTA: Vice City’s Lance Vance is the brother of protagonist Victor Vance and is a gambler with a particular love of casinos. His cunning nature and tendency to make trouble make him an interesting character in the franchise, and he is never afraid to break the rules.
X-Men – Gambit
There have been several X-Men games and the character of Gambit (whose name means an act that gains an advantage) often carries playing cards that he charges with kinetic energy and explodes on impact.
He is also regulalry seen enjoying different types of gambling including card and dice games.
Final Fantasy 6 – Setzer
Setzer is known for traveling and seeking adventure in his airship known as the ‘Blackjack’. His character is known for living life to the full, and this includes betting. He is rarely seen far from cards or dice in the game.
Final Fantasy 5 – Farris
While Farris Scherwiz of Final Fantasy V is not a traditional gambler, her attitude as a pirate captain places her as a risk-taker who is not afraid of taking on challenges.
There are some gambling-related mini-games evident in the game which is why Farris makes the cut.
Kingdom Hearts – Luxord
Luxord’s love of games drives his character in Kingdom Hearts. He is known for prioritizing games above everything and his minions, the Gambler Nobodies, and shapeshifting cards underline his dedication to them.
As a master of time, the games he sets up against foes are typically time-centric. Despite being such a serious player, Luxord is a gracious loser who is just happy to be playing.
Honkai: Star Rail – Aventurine
Aventurine’s risk-taking nature and gambling to attain his current position are represented by most of his abilities having a casino theme. As part of a group of new characters from Penacony, this is inevitable with the dreamworld being baes on casino-related environments.
League of Legends – Twisted Fate
Twisted Fate, aka Tobias Felix, has a harrowing backstory that saw his gambling abilities lead to his village’s downfall. After defeating some questionable opponents, they destroyed his village as revenge, leading to him being shunned and living life as a drifter who made his money through gambling.
He never reveals his true self, and his cocky smile in the face of adversity is the epitome of a poker face.
Super Mario Series – King Boo
Super Mario might not spring to mind when thinking about gambling-related characters, but King Boo has been shown in casino-related settings including on a giant roulette table complete with a central slot machine in the Hotel Delfino Caino’s basement in Super Mario Sunshine. He also uses barriers decorated with card suits in Luigi’s Mansion.
The King Of Fighters – Oswald
King of Fighters former hitman Oswald brings an air of menace through his cool and calculated demeanor. He manipulates playing cards expertly and his techniques all have poker and card-related names, with one of the most effective being the Joker.
Red Dead Redemption – John Marston
Red Dead Redemption uses gambling in saloons as a way for Marston to earn in-game money and help progression. Single-player gambling options include poker, blackjack, five-finger fillet, liar’s dice, horseshoes, and arm wrestling.
Poker and Liar’s Dice are also available in multiplayer and give players the opportunity to make the money needed to invest in game-enhancing add-ons.
