How to Start the GTA Online Casino Heist: Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction: Ready to Rob the Diamond Casino?

The Diamond Casino Heist is one of the biggest and most exciting missions in GTA Online, allowing players to break into the luxurious Diamond Casino & Resort and steal millions. But before you can grab the cash, gold, or diamonds, you need to know exactly how to start the heist and prepare everything for success.

This guide will walk you through how to start the GTA Online Casino Heist — from buying your arcade to launching the final mission — so you can lead your crew like a true criminal mastermind.

Step 1: Buy an Arcade Property

To unlock the Casino Heist, you must own an arcade. Here’s how:

1️⃣ Open your in-game phone or visit a computer.
2️⃣ Go to Maze Bank Foreclosures.
3️⃣ Look for available arcades — options include Pixel Pete’s (cheap) to Videogeddon (expensive).
4️⃣ Purchase the arcade of your choice.

✅ Pro tip: The arcade isn’t just for the heist — it can also generate passive income through the arcade machines!

Step 2: Meet Lester and Start Setup

Once you own the arcade:

• Visit your new property.
• You will meet Lester Crest in a cutscene, where he explains the plan.
• After the intro, you unlock the heist planning board in the arcade basement.

✅ Make sure to upgrade the basement with the master control terminal if you want to manage other businesses, but it’s optional for the heist.

Step 3: Scope Out the Diamond Casino

Next, you need to scope out the casino:

• Go to the Diamond Casino & Resort.
• Enter as a normal visitor.
• Use your phone camera to take photos of key locations:
  • Security features (cameras, guards, keypad doors).
  • Entry points (side doors, roof access, security tunnels).
  • Points of interest (vault door, staff doors, guard patterns).

✅ This phase unlocks valuable options for your heist approach.

Step 4: Choose Your Heist Approach

Return to your arcade and go to the planning board. You’ll choose from three approaches:

• Silent & Sneaky → Stealth infiltration.
• The Big Con → Disguises and deception.
• Aggressive → All guns blazing.

✅ You can unlock all approaches by completing optional missions.

Step 5: Complete Prep Missions

Depending on your chosen approach, you need to complete prep missions:

• Acquire weapons, getaway vehicles, hacking devices, and disguises.
• You can skip some optional missions, but they often make the finale easier.

✅ These missions can all be done solo and in any order.

Step 6: Hire Your Crew

Select your team:

• Gunman → Affects weapons and security takedown.
• Driver → Determines getaway vehicles.
• Hacker → Controls how much time you get in the vault (best choices: Paige or Avi).

✅ Better crew = higher success rate, but they take a bigger percentage of the cut.

Step 7: Launch the Final Heist

When all prep work is done:

1️⃣ Go back to the arcade basement.
2️⃣ Approach the planning board.
3️⃣ Start the final Casino Heist mission.

You must have at least two players to launch the finale, so invite a friend or join with other players.

What to Expect in the Finale

• Break into the casino using your chosen approach.
• Steal the loot (cash, artwork, gold, or diamonds).
• Fight or sneak your way out.
• Escape from the police and reach the buyer or safe house.

✅ Total potential payout: Up to GTA$2–3 million before cuts!

Final Thoughts: Plan Smart, Steal Big

Starting the Diamond Casino Heist is not just about jumping into action — it’s about preparing carefully, choosing the right crew, and making smart decisions every step of the way.

Buy your arcade, set up your plan, gather your team, and get ready for one of the most rewarding experiences in GTA Online — the ultimate heist awaits!