In welcoming the new year, the Internet has been abuzz with rumors and speculation surrounding the much-awaited Rockstar Games sequel, Grand Theft Auto 6. Most recently, parent company Take-Two has confirmed that the GTA 6 release date is still set for Fall 2025. The Rockstar owner confirms the title is still on track for its previously announced release window, quelling concerns that the game may be delayed.
Speaking to IGN, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick states the “whole organization is super excited” for the eagerly anticipated game. Meanwhile, it’s been rumored that rival game publishers are waiting for official news from Rockstar to set their own video game title releases. EA CEO Andrew Wilson said he was willing to delay the new military first-person shooter Battlefield’s release this year depending on the release timing of its competitors’ games — a not-so-subtle nod to the massive gaming event that GTA 6 is set to be.
Of course, excitement for the Grand Theft Auto installment has brewed years ago, culminating in 2023’s GTA 6 trailer leak and eventual release. Since everyone’s first look at the modernized, social media-set Vice City in 2023’s GTA 6 trailer, Rockstar Games has been especially mum about further updates on the game’s development or release.
Today, many gamers and content creators enjoy speculating about the new game and how Vice City would look in modern graphics. Another pressing question for many GTA fans is whether or not the modernized Vice City will have the iconic Diamond Casino & Resort. In this post, we’ll look at why the luxury casino was so iconic in Grand Theft Auto 5 and whether or not we’ll be seeing the iconic establishment in GTA 6.
GTA 5’s Diamond Casino & Resort
As mentioned, the Diamond Casino & Resort is an iconic setting and establishment in the GTA 5 universe. Set in Los Angeles-based Los Santos, the casino is a luxury establishment that is, unfortunately, often the target of player heists and missions. Aside from story-based missions, the casino also has a roulette wheel that players can spin to win free weekly prizes, including player clothing, in-game money, and even a free car. In terms of casino gameplay, players both offline and online can play conventional casino games like slots, roulette, blackjack, and three-card poker.
As Grand Theft Auto 6 has repeatedly promised to push the limits of open-world games, it wouldn’t be surprising if the sequel features other conventional casino games, such as Texas Hold’em to increase the game’s reach. Considered the most popular US poker variant, Texas Hold’em has also become a pop culture phenomenon. Leading online poker provider ACR Poker has various high-profile online poker tournaments, such as the recent Bounty Hunter poker scratch-card promotions that have garnered the platform a significant following over the years. Grand Theft Auto 6 could follow ACR Poker’s lead and implement similar tournament mechanics as part of the gameplay or even introduce online multiplayer lobbies.
After all, another iconic Rockstar Games title and winner of multiple Game of the Year awards, Red Dead Redemption 2, also heavily implemented the Hold’em poker format throughout the game’s open-world setting and even story missions. As such, players may be able to expect more conventional poker gameplay in GTA 6 beyond the three-card poker offered in GTA 5.
Potential casino games in GTA 6
Aside from poker variants, a more in-depth Vice City in GTA 6 may also mean even more casino games, including cards, roulette, and other machines. As explained above, poker variants have become an increasingly popular online pastime among veteran casino bettors and casual gamers looking to have fun with friends. For more poker fun, the game may even include video poker experiences, simply for the irony of playing a casino machine within a gaming machine.
An example of this is the recently popular deception game Liar’s Bar, which features anthropomorphic animals as avatars in a deadly game of bluff. The game recently announced a poker update, and while the game is a tad different from Grand Theft Auto in terms of aesthetic, it would still be interesting to see the GTA sequel incorporate the game’s wacky and deadly mechanics, like the inclusion of Russian Roulette in between rounds of bluffing.
GTA 6, Vice City, and the Diamond Casino
Ultimately, unless we get to see another trailer or official clip from GTA 6 anytime soon, there’s simply no telling whether or not the iconic Diamond Casino will be an interactable establishment in the game.
Another thing to note is that GTA Vice City, which was released in 2002 and based on a 1980s Miami, did not feature casino gameplay or casino-related missions. Still, certain elements of Vice City from the original game show promise that the Diamond Casino — or some other fictional luxury casino-hotel chain — will be making an appearance in GTA 6. For example, the 2002 game was heavily influenced by the 1983 mob movie Scarface, which features the iconic casino scene. The game also had major voice acting work from regular mob actor Ray Liotta.
Given Rockstar’s continued commitment to creating immersive and realistic fictional worlds and how beloved GTA 5’s Diamond Casino was, we’re almost certain the new GTA 6 would have its own iconic casino — or even multiple — throughout the game’s vast open-world setting. Casino enthusiasts will hopefully have more card games beyond three-card poker.
