What if casinos had games like Uno and Backgammon?

Pause, and think about casinos… What comes to mind? Poker, blackjack, roulette and flashing slot machines. But, what if the next big thing in land-based casinos was not a new slot machine or poker variant? What if it was Uno?

Las Vegas recently tested the waters in July 2025 with something no one expected: live Uno tables at the Palms Casino. The Uno Social Club is an event with real dealers, specially designed tables, and it gives players the full tournament experience.

While this was purely just for fun, the buzz surrounding it made everyone ask: What if we had other games at casinos?

A colourful new era for casino entertainment?

While Uno might seem like a game for family holidays, its potential in a casino setting is surprisingly strong. Uno involves strategy, timing and a bit of luck, just like poker and blackjack. It has all the “ingredients” that make up a classic casino game.

Dealers handed out “Draw Four” cards with the same flair you would expect from a blackjack professional dealing an Ace, and the players challenged one another with reverse cards and wild plays in a setting that looked more like a game night on a high-stakes floor.

It sure was a refreshing change, and it also proved that players are open to new, fun and social ways to gamble.

Can classic games like backgammon make a comeback?

While Uno may be the latest sensation, is it the only game that can thrive in a casino? Let’s look at one of the oldest games in the world, backgammon. It is already being played competitively with money in many private settings. Backgammon has the potential to be the perfect bridge between traditional board games and high-stakes play.

The game has the following features:

• Clear rules and scoring
• Room for player strategy
• A mix of luck and skill
• Fast-paced gameplay that is also based on different rounds

Plus, there is already a loyal backgammon gambling community, especially in parts of Europe and the Middle East. If land-based casinos modernise the presentation with sleek digital boards, side bets and tournament formats, backgammon could become the next blackjack.

So, if Uno and Backgammon can be casino-ready, what else might work? Let's look at some of the other games out there that could work in casinos.

1. Monopoly

Monopoly is already a popular casino game theme, and in a table format, it could work as a hybrid between a board game and roulette. Players roll the dice, move their figurine across the board and place their bet on which property might get “landed” next.

Currently, there is a Monopoly Live casino game online already, so the live land-based casino versions may not be far off. Monopoly Live is a live casino game launched in 2019, which combines a real Dream Catcher-style spinning wheel with elements of the classic board game.

The action takes place live in real-time with real presenters who host the action. It also features a virtual Mr Monopoly who springs into life when 3D bonus rounds, multipliers and wheel spins are in play.

2. Scrabble

You might laugh at the idea of a word game in a casino, but the competitive side of Scrabble has been taken seriously for decades. Scrabble is taking the world by storm. You can play it everywhere, on Facebook, iPhone, Nintendo DS, PSP, mobile phones - you name it, and it is there.

What stops us from adding a gambling twist? Players could compete in quick-fire 1v1 battles, with letter values contributing to point-based winnings.

In order to win, players have to find the highest possible word score according to Scrabble's scoring system. You bet and draw a round of letters, it automatically highlights the highest scoring word for you to hold, then you draw again, and it redetermines the highest scoring possibility. There is also a bonus round based on the bonus meter.

3. Cards Against Humanity

This card game might be cheeky, but imagine a “casino after dark” experience where adult humour meets strategic betting. In it, players vote on the funniest answer and could even bet on their picks.

You have to complete fill-in-the-blank statements using cards with often offensive or inappropriate content. The goal is to create the funniest or most shocking combinations. One of the players is the "Card Czar".

They will read a black card with a question or fill-in-the-blank, while all others anonymously submit white cards from their hand to complete the statement. The funniest wins the round.

4. Jenga

Imagine you are in a casino lounge area, placing bets on a high-stakes tower while the tension builds with each pull. This could be a real fun, tactile and adrenaline-pumping option for gamblers.

Once the tower is created, players take turns using one hand to remove a block from the tower. Players may remove blocks from anywhere below the highest completed story; they will then place the removed block back on top of the tower to begin a new story. Players must complete a story before expanding further up the tower.

Profitable or Not?

The million-dollar question is, can these games be profitable? The casino industry runs on one core principle: the house edge. That means that the games must be designed in a way that ensures the casino profits in the long run. But the issue is that there is no traditional betting structure or clear-cut house advantage in games like Uno or Monopoly.

As these games evolve, there is room for creative monetisation. It won't water down the fun, and we still can get exciting, fair, and social time out of it.

The future of land-based casinos

Land-based casinos are definitely evolving. They are no longer just about seasoned gamblers and smoky poker rooms, as more players crave entertainment-driven gameplay. Casinos are slowly adapting to a younger, more diverse crowd that values fun, social interaction and novelty.

The Uno Social Club is the perfect example. It still isn't a money-maker, but it's definitely something people are talking about. It could also act as a way to test if the crowd is ready for something new. Such casual games like Uno, Backgammon and Monopoly going into land-based casinos could bring something new and fresh into the industry's appeal. After all, it is not just about winning money. It is all about fun.

Let’s take a look at some fun facts to leave you with:

• Uno was developed in 1971. It's now available in over 80 countries.
• Backgammon dates back over 5,000 years, which means it's one of the oldest known board games.
• The world's largest Monopoly board is located in San Jose, California. It is 930 square feet!
• Scrabble tournaments offer real prize money; some world champions have earned over $25,000.
• There’s already a version of poker that combines Jenga with betting rounds at selected private clubs.