Casual casino players will be aware that there’s more than just poker to enjoy at the card tables. Operators in the physical and online worlds have plenty of scope for blackjack, and there is a good choice of baccarat titles too.
For many years, casino enthusiasts have wondered whether more games might hit the schedule in the future. Several contenders have been mentioned, but few would have expected Uno to find its way into the dazzling gaming halls of Las Vegas.
Casino Hub
Every player knows that Las Vegas is the hub of casino play in the United States. While there is competition from elsewhere, gaming tourists long to be on the iconic Vegas strip. New Jersey is in second place in the casino pecking order. The wider state of Nevada competes with NJ online casino sites on a more level playing field, but in the physical world, Las Vegas wins hands down. It’s for that reason that more new developments tend to focus on Vegas, rather than New Jersey or any other US state.
Anyone looking to promote new games will, therefore, aim to sound out casino owners on the Las Vegas strip, and that’s why Uno has found its perfect host.
What to Expect
The game of Uno will appear in Las Vegas in 2025 as part of a series of pop-up social clubs. It will be available in other cities, but the history of Vegas has led to inevitable excitement in the casino playing realm. The clubs are being organized by Mattel, who bought the rights to the Uno game in 1992.
At the Palms Casino, entry to the event was based on a qualifying process run by Mattel, and the Uno competition was not open to the general public. The important point to note is that while a casino is hosting the game, there is no wagering allowed. In many ways, the organizers seem to be showcasing Uno. Parallels could be drawn with demonstration sports that eventually make their way into the Olympics, but does this mean we could be gambling on Uno in the future?
The Absence of Wagers Addressed
Mattel may have purchased the rights to Uno in 1992, but the game has been around for much longer. Uno can, in fact, trace its history back to 1971 when it was developed by Ohio inventor Merle Robbins.
The rules have remained the same with the aim for players to discard matching cards until they have no more left in their hand.
It is, perhaps, not surprising that there is no gambling attached to the Uno games currently being showcased at the Palms resort and at other locations around Las Vegas. It’s generally seen as a fun game to be played among friends, and the emphasis is on entertainment.
Placing a financial wager on Uno would seem as unlikely as betting on snap, solitaire or Happy Families. Each of those card games is played for entertainment purposes only, and while you might want to introduce small stakes when enjoying them with friends, they are not going to be picked up by brick-and-mortar or online casino halls.
Perhaps, in the future, social casino platforms might add Uno to their schedules. The feeling of the game fits better in the social context where no money changes hands. It’s an interesting concept, but for now, it’s fascinating to see the iconic Uno game hosted within the glamorous surroundings of Las Vegas.
