Casino-style games and traditional video games have some similarities, but they are inherently different. I mean, we get to see simulated gambling in video games even if you don’t win any money for playing. So, what are the things that differentiate these games? Let’s get into them.

In most cases, traditional video games require skill to play and win. You may need to come up with strategies to outsmart your opponent, whether online or in person. However, casino-style games, especially slots, require only luck. According to an , only a few games need a certain level of strategizing. Poker falls into this category. 

Developing poker games involves coming up with the concept and design. This design will outline the mechanics, visual style, and user interface before moving to the technology stack stage. Here, the developer comes up with the programming language and tools to build the game. 

This process is the same for regular video games. However, the difference is monetization strategies. We’ll get into that later. 

Another crucial difference between casino-style games and is their purpose. Now, traditional video games are designed to entertain players but they can also foster the spirit of competition. Players can compete on the same console or play online. Even if they spend money on in-game items, the only incentive is appearing in leaderboards. The games aren’t monetized to make them win real money. 

In contrast, casino games have a different purpose. While the secondary purpose is to have fun, the main purpose is to win rewards for playing the game. All casino games have the same purpose. The incentive of staking money is to win some back. For slots, the developers set the wager limits, and players have the option to determine how much they want to win. High rollers naturally set the maximum wagering limit to increase their rewards. Those with a budget also have a chance to win even though their wager is lower than others. The same thing applies to table games.

It is also important to note that casino-styled games are designed with a return to player percentage or house edge for table games. It basically means the theoretical percentage of winnings a machine will return over a while. For instance, with a 96% RTP, when you wager $100, the machine will return $96 on average. However, it is important to note that this is a long-term average and you may not always get this exact amount regardless. 

While traditional video games are not monetized for players to win rewards, they can still allow professional gamers to make a career out of it. In recent times, social media platforms like Twitch have given professional gamers a chance to earn from streaming their games. They play the games for the love of it and get paid for the engagement by platforms. Others also get endorsements to promote products for companies through their platforms.

This is not the case for casino games and players. It is uncommon to find casino players who are professionals. The game is mostly a hobby, and the aim is to win rewards. It is also unlikely that a pro gambler would make money from streaming themselves playing casino games. The games are not designed for that purpose especially since players must be over 18 to play in casinos. On the other hand, you can always find gamers who are under 18.

In casino game development, there are some regulatory conditions that developers must make to offer the games in many jurisdictions. The law differs but most casino game providers must follow laws on age verification. Players must be over 18 to even access the website. There’s a KYC process to verify this before depositing any funds in the casino account to play with. 

Also, providers must adhere to the laws on responsible gambling. This includes restricting wagering amounts and giving players an option to restrict their spending. 

Traditional video games also have to follow legal guidelines to provide games for players. Like casino games, some may be suitable for players over 18 years old. In the United States, there are that prevent video game developers from collecting personal data on children under 13. To collect such data, developers need parental consent. Also, there are some anti gambling rules for video game developers to apply. They cannot have in-game purchases that are similar to real-life gambling and for good reason too.