In the Marvel Universe, there have been plenty of superheroes and villains who like to take chances. This has meant that many locations they have found themselves in have been casinos: from futuristic spaceships, down to real-world gaming floors, they have proven to be great places for some classic superhero battles.
Below are some of the most influential casinos in the Marvel universe.
Casino Cosmico
The Silver Surfer has traveled to the farthest flung corners of the galaxy. So, for him to name a location “The riskiest place in all of creation,” it must be bad. He would say this after all, as he once lost his fabled board in a game of chance here.
The Casino Cosmico is presided over by the Grandmaster. One of the elders of the Marvel Universe, his name and origin are lost to time, so he decided to name himself after his favorite pastime – gaming. He now travels across time and space, finding opponents with whom he can make wagers. This usually involves starting fights between rival factions and placing bets on who wins.
He has also been known to play poker at his home, the Casino Cosmico. It was this game that allowed the Silver Surfer to beat him and reclaim his board.
Jungle World Casino
Jungle World was the property of Spider-Man’s nemesis, Kraven the Hunter. It had a unique concept, being a place where villains fought for a single coin in a game known as ‘The Hunt’. This could be cashed in with Kraven and used to claim the ultimate prize. However, it also made the person with the coin a target and was an elaborate ruse to keep everyone from trying to assassinate Kraven himself.
It also has all the features of a casino, including table games and slot machines. The latter of these is now extremely popular, due to online versions that are easy to play from mobile devices. Some of the best slot games to win also have jungle themes, such as Legacy of the Tiger and Jumanji. While you can’t win Kravens Hunt, you can win progressive jackpot prizes.
Devil’s Den
When the demon Blackheart was cast out of Hell and left powerless on Earth, he promptly opened the Devil’s Den casino on the Las Vegas strip. As well as being a functioning casino, it was also a front so Blackheart could capture human souls and bring hell to Earth. Not only did they manage this, but they also managed to combine them with the Venom symbiote to create a hellish army. It took four superheroes, including the Red Hulk and Ghost Rider to destroy the Devil’s Den once and for all.
There are plenty more casinos in Marvel fiction. From the mutant Hellfire Club to Arcade’s ever-complex Murderworld, these are great stages for some of the best stories superheroes have ever told. You never know when Spidey may drop into a poker game next, or The Avengers find themselves facing off against the bastions of hell in a game of cards.
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