There is no denying that the casino scene has an increasingly Chinese flavor. Chinese-themed slot and table games are now par for the course in the iGaming industry. It’s little wonder that the western world has embraced Chinese-inspired games given the volumes of tourists that venture from east to west. Many casino operators and sites look to provide casino games that reach out to Chinese visitors and make them feel at home.
It wasn’t until the back end of the 20th century when Asian culture was broadly recognized in the western entertainment industry. Chinese movies were eventually popularized and credited in the 1980s and 1990s, winning several international awards in the process. Whether it’s Chunjie or ninja-themed, Chinese entertainment has successfully transcended the western world and it’s also infiltrated the iGaming scene.
Below we’ll explore three of the leading video slots and table games found in the leading land-based and online casinos that ooze Chinese influences.
Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow is a Chinese domino game that’s said to have originated in the 12th century. Chinese domino tiles have been reclaimed from the 12th to 14th centuries, which differ somewhat from those during the Qing Dynasty, as they were black rather than white. This trick-taking game is still enjoyed today by people in southern, central and northern China.
In 1985, a casino owner named Sam Torosian devised a poker game variant inspired by Pai Gow. The game was played using a 52-card deck of playing cards instead of conventional Pai Gow dominoes. The object of the game is for players to create five- and two-card poker hands that beat the dealer’s best “front” and “back” hands.
Mahjong Ways 2
The tile-based game of Mahjong dates back to the 1800s. Originating in China, this domino-style game became a western hit in the 20th century. In China, it helped create a sense of community and belonging. People would convene to play Mahjong in social areas at tables tailor-made for this abstract strategy game.
Mahjong Ways 2 is a celebration of this Chinese pop culture classic. The sequel of the original Mahjong Ways slot, Mahjong Ways 2 features Mahjong tiles that appear as symbols on all five reels. During any winning spin, the gold-plated Mahjong tiles convert into ‘Wild’ symbols, which can help to multiply the size of any wins. As five-reel slots go, this game does have rather less than the industry average for paylines. If you’re unfamiliar with the dynamics of slot gaming, it’s useful to find a slot-game provider and check the website for the typical average of paylines for five-reel slot gameplay. This one states anything from 25-50 paylines is the norm, even if the entire spectrum spans from 9-100 paylines.
Shen Long Mi Bao
Like Mahjong Ways 2, Shen Long Mi Bao is another video slot that has experiential Chinese elements within it. From the moment this game loads, you’ll see an impressive golden dragon that looks incredibly fierce, with bright red eyes. This is the game’s wild symbol. In Chinese culture, a dragon is seen as a source of power or good luck. The dragon is also one of the most popular years of a Chinese New Year, which brings the Chunjie theme into play.
The base game symbols within Shen Long Mi Bao also feature Chinese-inspired gems, including more dragon-based jewelry and a golden shield that remains a common celebration of the story of medieval Asia – from its artistic roots through to its religious beliefs.
Associations with Chinese culture in iGaming help to make the world feel a smaller place, giving gamers a chance to feel and experience a culture and traditions that may be new to them.
