One of my guilty pleasures in Second Life is visiting the Helios Casino & Lounge to unwind with a few rounds on the poker machine—specifically, the Jacks or Better game. Okay, I admit, sometimes it’s more than just a few rounds. I also have a soft spot for the slot machines, especially the one featuring Philip Linden’s headshot.

Helios Casino is a so-called ‘social casino,’ meaning you can’t win any real money. But on the bright side, you don’t have to spend any money either if you don’t want to. Every day, you’re gifted 120 free chips to play with.

Now, 120 chips might not seem like much, and just like in a real casino, the house usually wins. Depending on your bet size, you could be out of chips within minutes.
That’s why I’ve developed a strategy: each day I log in, I teleport to the casino to collect my free chips. After saving up for a week or longer, I go back to play with a nice amount to play with.

While you can buy chips if you’re eager to keep playing, it’s important to remember that you won’t be winning any Linden dollars back. You can only win more chips, which can be used to keep playing or exchanged for prizes displayed at the entrance.
If you like a bit of competition, there’s an optional leaderboard where the top three players of the week, month, or quarter can win a special prize! I’ve won quite a few of those adorable casino bears, which look great on a shelf.

Helios Casino & Lounge is part of the Welcome Hub regions, where new residents first arrive, but it’s open to everyone! If casino games aren’t your thing or you’re out of chips, you can always hang out at the bar or play a tune on the piano. It’s a great spot for a night out with friends.

And I will repeat it again: you can’t win Linden dollars or real-life money here. These games are purely for entertainment.

SLurl to Helios: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Helios%20Casino/44/128/26

Is it all innocent fun?
I’d say so, but since there’s an option to buy chips, it could potentially be a trigger for those struggling with gambling addiction. If that’s a concern for you, it might be best to steer clear.