Apr 29 (newsonjapan.com) - Gambling is, beyond a doubt, a global industry.
With an estimated worth of $565.4 billion, it’s enjoyed by individuals from across the world, and many of its games appeal to an international audience.
While some of the most renowned titles are European or American in origin, there are a number of Asian games that have earned global acclaim too, especially in recent years. Spreading far beyond the borders of their own country or continent, these are recognized around the world, no matter how far you might go.
Numbering among them are a few titles, in particular, which have enjoyed this cross-border phenomenon; including the following.
Pai Gow poker
As is clear from its name, Pai Gow poker is a game that is Chinese in origin. A variation on the more widely played European version, it differs in a number of ways. And, while it uses a standard 52-card deck, only one joker is present in the game. Most importantly in terms of differences, the aim is to have two poker hands among the seven cards you’re dealt.
What this has done is appeal to the appetite for variety exhibited among many online gamers, and indeed, this same pattern can be seen among almost all of the Asian casino offerings that have earned similar acclaim. While they offer just as many thrills as European variants, they also provide a new and unique twist on the classics.
XocDia
Another game that is becoming increasingly popular around the world is Xoc Dia. Originating from Vietnam, it features four coins with different colored faces, as well as a plate and a cup. The idea is that the dealer places the coins on the plate, positions the cup over the top, and shakes, while players place bets on which colors will come up.
Even more so than Pai Gow poker, the game has introduced an element of novelty to the titles on offer to international players. Providing not merely a different take on a game they’re already familiar with, but a new game entirely, it is now popular not only in its country of origin, but around the world.
Sic Bo
Also originating in China, Sic Bo is another game that’s becoming increasingly popular among global audiences. Different from the norm, in that it never claims to turn on principles of fairness, this unequal game of chance has existed since ancient times. Played with three dice, it is based on a simple concept.
Essentially, players are asked to place their chips on a box bet, with the aim of predicting the roll of the dice. If the outcome matches a player’s guess, they win, meaning this is a game driven purely by luck.
Understanding the phenomenon
What’s interesting about these three games is that each of them is a minor part of a much more major trend, with Asian casino games increasingly influencing global gaming as a whole. Indeed, the continent has spawned not only a number of games that are Asian in origin, but many that are inspired by its wider culture and aesthetic too.
If we look, for example, at a review site for the top online casinos in Japan, we can see that many of the games that are popular here, including the three mentioned above, are also enjoyed not only across the continent, but in Europe, America, and the rest of the world too.
This is, arguably, part of a wider embracing of Asian culture, from manga and anime through to certain styles of dress, novels, movies, and even certain styles of mobile gaming that have proven popular among a more western audience.
To our mind, this can only be a force for good, and one that we hope continues to breed greater cohesion and harmony among the wider entertainment world in general.
