Published: 18.06.2019, 19:02
2 min read
Grand Theft Auto developers Rockstar Games has recently revealed that they will be launching an in-game luxury casino. This comes after 5 years since GTA Online release. It might also be a real-money casino. If so, however, it might cause controversy.
In-game casinos are not new for video games. GTA: San Andreas famously you had a casino that you could purchase and play mini-games in. Other games such as Fallout: New Vegas was largely centered around the post-apocalyptic Las Vegas and their luxury casinos.
However, these casinos were restricted to offer only free mini-games. This might change with GTA Online, as the game offers an in-game currency that players can purchase with real money. Should the casino use this currency, the players might be able to win and withdraw real money. This was neither confirmed nor denied by Rockstar.
Many players started wondering about the fate of the casino after an ‘Opening Soon’ sign has disappeared from a casino in the game, situated in a location called Vinewood (the equivalent of real-world Hollywood). After the rumors have spread, Rockstar has announced that a “luxury casino” will open soon.
Opening soon: A luxury casino in the heart of Vinewood… pic.twitter.com/fSM9xXFk23
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) June 13, 2019
Should this be true, this will open new opportunities for monetization in video games. However, this will surely ignite a new debate around gambling in video games.
Just recently, Missouri senator Josh Hawley has proposed a ban on loot boxes in the US. Seeing that he mainly mentioned gambling in video games, GTA Online might come under fire. After the recent report on the link between loot boxes and gambling, this might not be the best timing for Rockstar.
