A major new casino and resort is opening in the heart of downtown Los Santos in one of the most hotly-anticipated updates to Grand Theft Auto Online in years.
The Diamond Casino & Resort opens its doors on 23 July, inviting players to test their luck at the virtual poker tables and roulette wheels in the hope of winning big and “living the life of opulence” in GTA 5.
A website dedicated to the fictional resort teases players with what to expect, urging players to abandon their preconceptions when visiting Los Santos’ latest landmark.
“You’ve heard the rumours. You want to believe them, and there’s only one way to find out,” the page states. “Let go of your inhibitions, your doubts, your sense of proportion, your credit rating. The rumours didn’t begin to do it justice.”
So what can players expect to find within the casino, resort and rooftop penthouses? The Independent has a complete guide of everything you need to know.
How do you get in to The Diamond Casino & Resort?
Anyone hoping to get inside the new Los Santos resort will first need a membership, which comes in two tiers.
The first is the GTA Online Casino Standard Membership – the cheaper of the two options. It comes with a parking garage, valet parking, champagne service, aircraft concierge, and a limousine service.
The second, more expensive, membership option is the GTA Online Casino VIP Membership, which comes with all the same benefits as the standard membership, plus access to a VIP lounge, high limit tables and a penthouse.
“At The Diamond, there are members, and there are members,” Rockstar explains. “If you want to be the latter, youre only a penthouse key away from enjoying the kind of status that only systemic elitism can provide."
Rockstar Games is yet to release details about the price of each membership – or how players will actually pay for it – but will be available as soon as the update is rolled out.
What are the best ways to win money?
Players can navigate the casino floor between games of poker, blackjack and roulette, as well as slot machines and virtual horse racing.
GTA Online has even included its very own version of Wheel of Fortune within The Diamond Casino & Resort.
The Spin the Lucky Wheel in the casino lobby gives players the chance to win chips, cash, clothing, and even the new Truffade Thrax supercar.
This car will only be available in the opening week, however a new high-end vehicle will be offered as a prize on the spinning wheel each week.
Spinning the wheel is free to members, though players can only try their luck once a day.
What benefits are there for Twitch Prime users?
Any GTA Online players who linked their Social Club account with Twitch Prime were able to gain free access to the Master Penthouse in The Diamond Casino & Resort, but there was a catch.
Players had to link their accounts before the 19 July to benefit from the offer.
However, any Twitch Prime users who missed out will still be able to get some exclusive offers, including GTA$1.25 million and 15 per cent in bonus GTA$ on Shark Cash Card purchases.
The GTA$1.25 bonus would otherwise set players back $20 on Steam.
What can you buy with your winnings?
Once players have won big at the poker and roulette tables they can cash in their chips for in-game currency, which can then be used to buy weapons, vehicles and clothing within the game.
But if you’re in the market for an over-priced piece of tat, then The Diamond Casino store has you covered, offering “exclusive fashion” and “unique designer artwork”.
The artwork includes an injured balloon dog, titled ‘Yellow Dog With Cone’, and a metal cat called the ‘Silver Watcher’.
“There are some things in life that money can’t buy. But don’t fret,” the store’s website states. “Our in-house store offers a rotating selection of tastefully curated items that can be purchased with Chips.”
What missions and other mini games are there to complete?
One of the perks of being a VIP member is that within the penthouse they have access to two “classic arcade games”: Invade and Persuade II and Street Crime: Gang Wars Edition.
Within the penthouse’s media room players will also find a cinema-sized screen showing an exclusive film called Don’t Cross the Line.
