I mean “not gambling games” very strictly, this post is intended to be about games that give the aesthetic, impulsive feedback and addictively risky gameplay feel of gambling without actually being gambling meaning that either the games are free or you buy them and keep them, no microtransaction crap tolerated in this thread at all.
I think it is very unethical to actually make a gambling video game, so I want to highlight games that explore these territories without hurting the player.
The kind of games I am thinking of are.
The Original Peggle games/other original Popcap Games (NOT EA’s slop)
to a less extent Peglin and Roundguard.
Luck Be A Landlord
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1404850/Luck_be_a_Landlord/
Balatro
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2379780/Balatro/
Games I haven’t tried/aren’t familiar with but look like they fit the bill.
Scritchy Scratchy
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3948120/Scritchy_Scratchy/
Raccoin
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3784030/RACCOIN_Coin_Pusher_Roguelike/
Dice A Million
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3430340/Dice_A_Million/
Whatever it means to you though I am interested in your answers!
Going by your description, it could be interpreted as “any games heavy on luck that aren’t gachas”.
If so, God Hand for the PS2 with its between stages casino minigames for example would count.
Also, Crisis Core for the PSP (and apparently modern consoles and Steam now too?) with the playable character’s power being a literal roulette that is constantly spinning, allowing him to mimic other people’s abilities when icons match.