- If you’re looking for fun gambling games that aren’t blackjack or poker, there are plenty of options.
- Lottery draws, bingo, keno, and scratch cards provide unrivalled gambling thrills in their own right.
- You can also play fun casino games such as roulette, slots, craps, and baccarat for real money online.
If you have never ventured past poker and blackjack, you might want to consider branching out a little.
There are an abundance of other fun gambling games outside of poker and blackjack that I think you will love. Sure, poker and blackjack are fantastic games. But sometimes it pays to keep an open mind.
This is why I have put together a list of some of the most entertaining forms of gamble known to man. All of the gambling games listed below are easy to pick up; before you know it, you will be having just as much fun playing them as I do.
Play the Lottery
Who doesn’t like playing the lottery? For most people on the planet, winning big in the lotto is daydream material. There’s something so exhilarating about purchasing a ticket and daydreaming about all the awesome things you could buy with $10 million or more.
In addition to daydreaming about becoming filthy rich, the lottery shares certain parallels with other gambling games. These days, you can play multiple drawings with just one ticket. This is great for those who want to maximize their chances of winning some cash without spending a small fortune.
Another similarity between traditional casino games and the lottery is that vendors have now introduced various multipliers and power plays into the mix. These features make it well worth playing the lottery if some of the more far-fetched betting odds are what you look for in fun gambling games.
The most popular lotteries around the world typically offer odds of 1 in 8 to 10 million for hitting the jackpot. That ratio is slightly better than the likes of poker and blackjack. Which, when you get down to it, is not a bad option for those betting odds!
But again, don’t get too down if you don’t win. After all, this is still one of the best gambling games for pure entertainment value!
For those of you in the United States, I whittled down what I believe to be the top five state lotteries based on your chances of winning. They are as follows:
- Pennsylvania --- Odds of winning 1 in 4.5
- Rhode Island --- Odds of winning 1 in 4.7
- Kansas --- Odds of winning 1 in 5
- South Carolina --- Odds of winning 1 in 5.3
- Illinois --- Odds of winning 1 in 5.5
Some states have much steeper odds against them. For example, Florida residents have a 1 in 9.4 chance of winning their state lottery. Georgia residents are even worse off at a dismal 1 in 14.9. Do yourself a favor and stick to Pennsylvania!
Feeling lucky? Check out our page dedicated to the .
Give Bingo a Chance
Bingo is another one of those fun gambling games that tends to attract an older crowd. Most players start out thinking it’s a boring game. But trust me when I say that bingo has the potential to keep you entertained for hours!
You can play bingo at land-based casinos and bingo halls across the world. But with the rise of online gaming sites, it’s never been easier to play from the comfort of your own home!
I suggest giving an online bingo site a shot if you’ve never played before. Not only will it save you money, but you won’t feel self-conscious about not knowing what you’re doing!
There are tons of different bingo variations out there, which keeps things interesting. Some of the most popular ones include the following:
- 75-Ball Bingo - Originally created in North America, this variation allows players to make various patterns to form winning combinations.
- 90-Ball Bingo - This variant is more common in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Players have three chances to match three lines.
- 30-Ball Bingo - Also known as speed bingo, this fast-paced version promises nonstop action. It’s a great option if you’re looking to play a high number of games.
- 5-Line Bingo - As the name suggests, this version offers five opportunities to win. The shape resembles a letter “I,” which some refer to as Swedish or Swedish jackpot bingo.
- Australian Bingo or “Bingo Raffle” - Here, the first person to complete four lines of matching numbers wins the pot. If there is a tie, the pot rolls over to the next game.
As you can see, there are many unique ways to get your bingo fix. Personally, I tend to switch up between 90-ball and 75-ball bingo. But again, there is no right or wrong answer here!
Read the following guide if you’re interested in learning how to play bingo and want more information on the rules.
Play Keno Online
Here’s another one of the top gambling games that you might not have tried yet.
Keno is a Numismatic lottery game that was originally conceived in ancient China. The objective is simple: pick up to 20 numbers between one and 80 and wait to see if they are hit. The more numbers you select, the higher your bet.
Best Online Poker Sites 2023 - Top Poker Apps & RoomsLike the , you can choose any numbers you wish. Then, 20 numbers will be drawn at random. If eight or more of your numbers are drawn, you win! Your payout will depend on the number of hits and how many numbers you chose.
Again, this is not the most exciting description of a game. But I promise you that keno is very addictive once you give it a shot!
One of the benefits of playing keno online is that that results are generated instantly. This is different from the in-person experience, where results are displayed over several minutes.
Online keno is especially fun because you can play up to 10 rounds straight. There are also variants with mega hits and bonuses, which further spice up the proceedings.
Want to learn more about this often-overlooked Chinese classic? Check out our informative post on how to play keno.
Try Scratch Cards
Believe it or not, scratch cards are one of the best gambling games for people that want quick results.
Also referred to as scrape cards, the idea is to scratch off areas of the card to reveal matches. Some regions refer to these cards as cashing tickets, instant tickets, scratch-offs, and quickpick.
At their core, scratch cards involve wagering and a degree of uncertainty. Although they lack the skill element involved in other popular gambling games, there’s something so satisfying about seeing if you’ve matched the symbols underneath.
Did you know that scratch cards were first sold to the public in the 1970s? The game took off in Nevada and eventually made its way to other parts of the globe. With the rise of the internet came the birth of online scratch cards, allowing anyone with a computer or mobile device to get their fix.
I recommend using a reputable online casino or lottery site to purchase your cards. Stay away from shady-looking websites, as there is no telling whether or not you will actually receive your virtual card.
Not sure which site to use? Check out the following guide to the best online scratch card sites.
Enjoy Exciting Roulette Action
Next up on my list of fun gambling games is roulette!
little river online casino promo codeUnlike poker and blackjack, which require a decent amount of skill, roulette is pure luck. It is also much faster-paced, which makes it ideal for those who don’t have the patience for lengthy gaming sessions.
Most people assume that roulette involves guessing which number the ball will land on in a rotating wheel. While this is partly true, there are various other bets you can make. For instance, you can try to predict if the ball will land in a odd/even, red/black, or high/low sector.
American Roulette is arguably the most popular variant, but there are others worth trying such as French Roulette and European Roulette. The main difference between the American and European versions is that the latter does not have a double zero slot.
Not only does European roulette forgo the double zero slot, but its RTP is 0.4% greater than its American counterpart. Every little bit helps, right?!
Another fun fact about roulette is that its house edge is fixed at 2.7%. Knowing this can help you manage your bankroll better. Unlike poker and blackjack, where the house edge can vary greatly depending on the strategy employed, roulette is a straightforward gamble.
New to the scene? I recommend reading our beginner’s guide to roulette to better understand the rules and how to play.
Have Fun Playing Slots Online
There’s a good chance you already enjoy spinning the reels, but did you know that slots are one of the best gambling games for pure entertainment?
Contrary to popular belief, a lot of thought goes into slot machines. Modern video slots often tell intriguing stories or take players on adventures through their engaging themes.
Yes, slots can be frustrating when you don’t hit any major winners. But there is nothing quite like the rush you get when stacking multiple bonus rounds or free spins features!
Here’s another thing I love about slots – there is a design for everyone. Some machines have simplistic designs, while others boast five figures worth of jackpots.
Speaking of jackpots, they come in various forms. The most popular types include network wide, in-house, internal, and mystery jackpots. Each of them work differently, which affects your odds of winning.
Network wide progressives accumulate jackpot funds from multiple casinos. These are the ones that can reach millions of dollars. Examples of network wide progressive slots include , and .
I strongly recommend taking the time to understand how each slots jackpot type works before playing. There is a big difference between a in-house $5,000 jackpot and a wide area network jackpot that climbs past $2 million. One offers more overall value than the other.
Think you’re ready to spin the reels? I suggest reading our comprehensive guide to online slots before getting started.
Play Craps Like a Pro
Craps gets a bad rap for being a loud, rowdy game dominated by drunks. But if you can look beyond all that, you will find that it’s one of the best gambling games out there!
Many inexperienced players stay away from craps because of its apparent complexity. Yes, there are a ton of different bets that you can make. But many of them are simply variations of each other – thus, increasing your odds of hitting something you like.
Every craps game consists of two main phases: the first roll (the “comeout”) and any subsequent rolls (known as the “don’t comeout.”)
The goal in craps is to guess what the role of a pair of dice. Bets are classified into two categories – those that win on a 7 or 11, and those that win on a 2, 3, or 12. Other wagers must avoid the losing crawies (2, 3, or 12) but still need a 7 to show up before rolling the losing crawgy again.
Best Free Casino Slots Games Online (on Real Casino Software)There are a variety of fun bets to make in craps. I would suggest starting out with the simplest ones before working your way down the list. Some of the easiest wagers to make in craps include pass line, don’t pass bar, come, and don’t come.
If you’re interested in learning more about craps, I recommend checking out our detailed guide on the subject.
Place Some Fun Sports Wagers
Sports betting has been around for centuries. It’s safe to say that it will remain one of the most popular gambling games for years to come.
What makes sports gambling so exciting?
For starters, there are thousands of different events to bet on every year. From the Super Bowl to Wimbledon, the options are virtually endless.
Another reason why sports gambling is among the best gambling games is that there is so much research that can be done. Analyzing teams, players, and historical data can allow you to gain an edge over the bookmaker.
I am by no means a legendary sports gambler. But over the years, I have picked up on a few tips that have allowed me to win my fair share of coins. Check out the following sports betting strategy guide if you’re interested in learning more.
Bet on Horses
is another one of the top gambling games for horse racing enthusiasts. Much like regular sports betting, there is a ton of research that can go into picking winners.
Most racebooks allow you to bet on horses on either to win, place, or show. Those that offer greater betting freedom will let you make exotic wagers such as the quadruple, exacta, trifecta, box, and wheel.
I personally enjoy making exacta and trifecta bets. There is something rather gratifying about predicting which two or three horses will cross the finish line first.
It’s also important to note that horse race betting differs from regular sports betting in terms of payouts.
The payouts for winning horse racing bets are based on the odds of the horse winning and the amount of money wagered on the contestant. Generally speaking, the larger the purse and race, the more exposure there will be – which leads to higher odds.
Compete Against Friends in Poker or Blackjack Tournaments
I know I said I was going to talk about fun gambling games that aren’t poker or blackjack. But hear me out.
Poker and blackjack tournaments are objectively more fun than cash games because there is an end in sight. Cash games can drag on forever, leaving you sitting at a table for hours with nothing to show for it.
When you sit down at a tournament, everyone starts with the same amount of chips. Once the dealer shuffles and cuts the cards, it’s a free for all until one player is left standing.
Tournament structures can range anywhere from hyper turbo to deep stack. It’s important to understand how each structure works before plopping down your buy-in. I would suggest starting out with hyper turbos or free rolls if you’re new to the format.
Hyper turbo poker and blackjack tournaments move incredibly fast. You will usually be moved up in blind levels or switched to a new table every three to seven minutes.
Given the rapid pace of these formats, you will usually just be playing tight-aggressive poker or basic basic blackjack strategy. This makes it easy to jump in, as there is not much strategy required besides knowing when to fold, call, raise, hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender.
If you’re interested in getting into tournament poker or blackjack, I would highly recommend checking out the following guides.
**Note: While regular cash game poker and blackjack can last for weeks or even months, tournaments offer a definitive ending. Despite tourneys typically charging a flat buy-in fee, all players start with the same amount of chips.
Top Real Money Casinos in the USA for 2023Hungry for more insights on ? Head over to our dedicated hub for everything you need to know about the timeless card game.
Play Crazy Dice
Finally, I want to introduce you to crazy dice, one of the best gambling games for die hard sharp players out there.
Crazy dice bears a close resemblance to sic bo. Both games involve rolling three dice and receiving payouts based on the combinations landed.
The beauty of crazy dice is that you get to eliminate one of the die faces before rolling. For example, you could choose to get rid of all fours, sixes, and twelves. This gives you 24 potential combinations to bet on rather than 56.
Other Die Options:
- Eliminate all 2’s and 12’s, and bet on any triples
- Get rid of 2’s and 3’s, and bet on any doubles
- Eliminate 2’s, 3’s, and 4’s, and bet on any singles
- Remove 2’s and 5’s, and bet on any 3’s
As you can see, removing die faces adds an extra element of strategy that is not present in sic bo. It also tilts the scales ever so slightly in the player’s favor.
Crazy dice carries a relatively low house edge of roughly 1.41%. This is slightly better than sic bo, which can carry a house edge of up to 4%.
If you like dice games, there’s a good chance you will really enjoy crazy dice. Make sure you shop around to find a reliable online casino offering competitive die bets!
Finding the Best Gambling Games Online
• Fun can be found in a variety of different gambling games.
As you can see, there are no shortages of fun gambling games outside of poker and blackjack. Whether you prefer lottery draws, scratchcards, or dice games, there is something out there for everyone.
Personally, I like to mix things up when it comes to my favorite forms of gamble. Sometimes I enjoy the certain thrill of slots, while others I might want to slow down and play a round of craps.
There are some lesser-known gambling games that I have not mentioned in today’s post, such as pai gow and chuck auck. If you have any recommendations for fun games that deserve recognition, I would appreciate it if you left a comment below!
Footnotes:
- Lottery odds and payouts are courtesy of .
J.W. Paine is one of the most experienced writers at GamblingSites.com. He's been producing top-quality content for the site since 2006. When he's not writing, he enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and daughter.