Holiday Season Gift Ideas for Gamblers

min read
A lucky cat figurine (maneki-neko) against a mustard background.
BetMGM Aug 17, 2021, 2:01 PM

Whether you love playing offline or online casino games, it’s clear that people around the world love having a good time with their favorite gambling pastimes. For some, that means a visit to their favorite casino to hit the slots, while for others, it means a quiet evening at home playing their favorite live dealer games. 

When the holidays roll around, you might be wondering what gifts might be appreciated by your other gambling-loving friends and family. If you know anyone who loves to gamble and spend their spare time playing both offline and online casino games, this list has a host of ideas for fun gifts to give during the holiday season. 

Great Gift Ideas for Gambling Fans

Those who love to gamble are sure to love a casino-themed gift or one that makes their online gambling more fun. Here are some ideas for holiday and Christmas gifts for gamblers.

1. Gambling Merchandise

3D concept of a gift box with ace playing cards coming out of it.

Whether it’s a stocking filler or the main gift, gambling-themed merch is always welcome. This could be anything from a branded lighter or set of casino-themed cufflinks for those with smaller budgets to a high-end poker set or classy casino game table if you have a larger budget to work with. 

You can even get some of these items personalized to make them even more special. For example, personalized and custom poker chips are the ultimate gift for gamblers who love to play poker. Have their initials, favorite colors, or celebrity poker stars printed on each chip. For more personalized gambling gift ideas, check out the ultimate gifting guide for casino game fans, which is packed with more items gamblers might enjoy. 

If the person is a fan of slots, a real-life slot machine is another suggestion that’s bound to be a big hit. These can be expensive, but with a little research, good secondhand ones can be found online. Alternatively, you can pick up a more inexpensive tabletop, novelty coin-operated mini slot machine for kicks. Who knows — perhaps the lucky person will be able to relive precious memories by pulling the lever of this pint-sized one-armed bandit. 

At the end of the day, there is absolutely no shortage of kitsch, fun, or high-class merchandise to get for a casino-loving gambler. 

2. Gambling Good Luck Charms

Many gamblers look for anything they can (legally) use to give them an edge when playing casino games. This is why most gamblers would appreciate an item of good fortune to wear or keep on them when they play online casino games.

Consider starting with some traditional lucky charms like a horseshoe, maneki-neko (beckoning cat), money toad, or laughing Buddha. Or, if you want to get them something a bit more unusual, you might want to get a lucky rabbit’s foot, alligator teeth, carp scales, or a Hamsa hand. 

3. Courses or Coaching for Their Favorite Casino Game

Whether the gambler you want to get a gift for is a newbie or an experienced player looking to take their game to the next level, a course or coaching for their favorite skilled-based casino game (for example, blackjack or poker) is a great educational gift.

Courses are a flexible alternative for both you and the person you’re planning to gift the course to. They’re flexible for you because there is a wide range of options online, meaning you can find a course to suit your budget. Courses by lesser-known players are more affordable, while gambling professionals will charge a premium for their experience and brand but the course will most likely be of better quality. They’re flexible for the gift recipient because they can go through the course at their own pace. 

On the other hand, in-person coaching is another great option, albeit one that is typically more expensive. It also needs to be arranged to fit into everyone’s schedule. A coach will give you a personalized experience and help you address specific issues that you might not even know you have, making them a fantastic choice for someone who is looking to improve specific areas of their game.

Whichever educational gift you choose, courses and coaching are fantastic gifts for gamblers who take casino gaming seriously.

4. Tickets to a Casino Event or Destination

Casinos across the U.S. host regular fun and entertaining events. Instead of wrapping up a physical gift, a well-chosen experience is a great gift for those with a bit more money to spend. This could include tickets to a show or even a pre-planned trip to Vegas or any other gambling destination if you’re going large. 

A visit to a hotel and casino like the MGM Grand, Bellagio, or Luxor Hotel also means more than just great gambling. All of these hotel and casino resorts will have an incredible range of entertainment, food, and activities for you to relax and have fun, making them a gift that will be remembered forever.

5. Casino Games and Accessories

3D concept of a gift box full of casino-related presents including dice, chips, cards and a roulette wheel.

Another great gift idea for casino gambling fans (and one that could be enjoyed while spending time together over the holidays) is an age-appropriate game set. For example, a poker set or a casino table game — such as baccarat or roulette, complete with a croupier stick — could be just what’s needed to kickstart a fun night in. A gift like this is a great way to have fun gambling while also spending time with other like-minded folk.

6. Casino-Related Books

There are many thought-provoking, interesting, and educational books on a variety of aspects of casinos and casino gaming. 

If you’re looking for books that capture the glam, glitz, and scandal of life in the gambling industry, consider titles like “The Biggest Bluff” by Maria Konnikova, “Bringing Down the House” by Ben Mezrich, or “Winner Takes All” by Christina Binkley. If you’re more interested in understanding the day-to-day life of running a casino, consider “Tales from the Slot Floor” by David G. Schwartz or “Casino Management” by William Friedman. 

If you’re more into educational titles, there’s no shortage of books on people’s favorite games. Some popular poker titles include “The Theory of Poker” by David Sklansky, “Essential Poker Math” by Alton Hardin, and “The Mathematics of Poker” by Bill Chen and Jerrod Ankenman. Blackjack players will love books like “The World’s Greatest Blackjack Book” by Lance Humble and Carl Cooper, “Beat the Dealer” by Edward O. Thorpe, and “Blackjack For Blood” by Bryce Carlson. No matter what people enjoy playing, you can find a book to either help them get started or to help them improve their play.

Casino books are great gifts for gamblers that cater to all sorts of tastes and allow gambling fans to enjoy another aspect of their favorite hobby.

Get Into the Holiday Spirit With Holiday-Themed Online Slots

When you’re done gift shopping, a great way to relax and have some fun is with holiday-themed slots. Spin the reels on these games to have a great time during the holidays.

Enjoy Everything on Offer at BetMGM Casino, Every Season

Regardless of the holiday season theme, BetMGM Casino offers a wide variety of entertaining casino games. Whether you’re looking for online sports betting, table games, or slots, there’s something to suit all tastes. Simply register to play at BetMGM Casino, and be sure to grab the BetMGM Welcome Bonus.

Actress Vanessa Hudgens flipping casino chips next to the text "The King of Casinos"
About the Author

BetMGM

Read More

Our BetMGM editors and authors are casino experts with a wealth of knowledge of the online casino industry at all levels. Their coverage includes company news, game reviews, how-to instructional articles, strategy guides, and editorials showcasing BetMGM’s superior product and game library.

Our BetMGM editors and authors are casino experts with a wealth of knowledge of the online casino industry at all levels. Their coverage includes company news, game reviews, how-to instructional articles, strategy guides, and editorials showcasing BetMGM’s superior product and game library.