So, you’ve finally made it to the Five Billionaires arc in Kamurocho. You’ve probably already steamrolled the Leisure King and maybe even the Electronics King, but then you hit a wall. That wall has a name. It’s the Gambling King Yakuza 0 players often cite as the most annoying hurdle in Kiryu’s Real Estate Royale storyline. He’s smug. He’s dressed like he’s ready for a high-stakes baccarat game in 1988. And honestly, he’s kind of a pain because he forces you to step away from the pure "buy property" loop and actually engage with the JCC (Japan Catfight Club) or the casino.
Most people think the Real Estate Royale subgame is just about waiting for bars to fill up and collecting yen. It’s not. When you go up against the Gambling King, also known as Naoya Hayaki, the game shifts gears. You aren't just managing properties anymore; you're fighting for territory in a district where the stakes are literal billions. If you mess up the gambling challenge he throws at you, you lose 10% of your progress in the area. That hurts. It really hurts when you're trying to unlock the Legend Style for Kiryu.
The Reality of the Gambling King Yakuza 0 Challenge
Let’s get one thing straight: the Gambling King is a gatekeeper. He controls the JCC and the gambling dens. To even get his attention, you need to start buying up properties in the Gambling District, which is the southwestern portion of the map. We're talking about places around Pink Street and the areas near the karaoke bar.
Once you hit that 60% occupancy mark, he’s going to trigger a cutscene. This is where the "challenge" happens. He’ll invite you to the JCC. Now, if you’ve spent any time in the Japan Catfight Club, you know it’s basically a high-speed game of Rock-Paper-Scissors wrapped in some... interesting... 1980s aesthetics. The problem? It’s heavily RNG-based. You can have the best stats, pick the strongest fighter (Jennifer is usually the safe bet, though she's not invincible), and still get absolutely wrecked by a random AI comeback.
The Gambling King doesn't play fair. He’s designed to be the "luck" check of the Five Billionaires. While the Electronics King challenged you to a game of Outrun—which was purely skill-based—the Gambling King Yakuza 0 encounter feels like the game is actively trying to cheat you. If you lose the JCC bet, your share in the district drops. It’s frustrating. You’ll find yourself running back to your office just to re-assign managers to claw back that 10% you just lost.
Why the Gambling District is a Different Beast
The properties here are expensive. By the time you reach this stage, you should have a massive influx of cash from the previous districts, but don't get cocky. You need to focus on the "A" and "S" rank properties quickly. The Gambling King’s territory includes some iconic spots, but the real trick is the management.
You need high-rank security. Why? Because the Gambling King loves to send "trouble" your way. You'll be walking down the street, minding your own business, and suddenly a group of yakuza or Men in Black will jump you. If your security isn't top-tier, these battles take forever and happen every thirty feet.
Managing the Money
Investment is the only way forward. You need to dump billions into these buildings to level them up. Don't just buy them and sit on them. Use your advisors. If you haven't completed the Miracle Johnson substories yet, go do them. Miracle is arguably the best advisor for these high-tier properties.
If you're short on cash, go find Mr. Shakedown. Seriously. Using the "Slime Gun" method or just getting good at dodging his massive swings is the fastest way to fund your takeover of the Gambling King's turf. You need money to make money, and in the 1988 bubble economy, a few billion yen is actually pocket change.
The Final Showdown at the JCC
When you finally reach 90% or more, the Gambling King Yakuza 0 boss fight triggers. Unlike the previous Kings, who you might have just beaten in a mini-game, you actually have to fight this guy.
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He’s not alone. He brings a squad.
The fight takes place in the JCC ring. It’s cramped. It’s chaotic. Hayaki himself uses a style that’s somewhat reminiscent of a standard brawler, but he’s got more health than your average street thug. This is the moment to use your Beast style if you’ve upgraded it, or stick to Rush if you want to avoid getting cornered.
Honestly, the fight is the easy part. The real battle was the hours spent clicking through menus and waiting for the "Collection" timer to finish. Once he’s down, he’ll give up his territory, and you’ll be one step closer to the final confrontation with the Media King.
What Most Players Miss
People often overlook the staff. They focus on the buildings, but the staff is what protects your profit.
- Managers: They dictate the payout and how much the "Kings" can mess with you. Look for managers with high "Economic Influence" (the little hand icon).
- Security: This affects how often battles trigger in the district. If you're tired of being jumped every five seconds, get a five-star security guard.
- Advisors: They are the ones who actually upgrade the rank of your buildings from C to B, B to A, and so on.
The Gambling King's district is also home to some of the best side-content in the game. While you're waiting for your properties to generate cash, go finish the "Pocket Circuit" races or hit the batting cages. It beats standing around the office staring at the wall.
Final Tactics for Success
If you want to move past the Gambling King Yakuza 0 segment without breaking your controller, follow these steps:
- Save before the JCC challenge. I cannot stress this enough. Since the catfight is largely luck-based, you don't want to lose that 10% progress just because the AI decided to win every tie-breaker.
- Focus on Jennifer. In the JCC, she’s statistically the most consistent winner. Look at the "News" ticker at the bottom of the screen; it sometimes gives hints on who is on a winning streak or who is feeling "off."
- Upgrade Kiryu's "Real Estate" abilities. There are upgrades in the shrine (using CP) that speed up the collection time. Get these as soon as possible. It turns a ten-minute wait into a five-minute wait.
- Buy the "Media" properties early. Even though you're fighting the Gambling King, you can start poking around the edges of the next district to prep for the final push.
The Gambling King is a relic of the era—flashy, arrogant, and overly reliant on chance. Beating him isn't just about winning a fight; it's about proving that Kiryu’s brand of "investing" (which mostly involves punching people until they hand over deeds) is superior to the King's shady gambling rackets. Once he's out of the way, the path to the Dragon of Dojima style is almost clear.
Go back to your office, check your collection status, and make sure your managers are rested. The Media King is next, and he makes the Gambling King look like a low-stakes amateur. Focus on maximizing your payout per collection cycle now, so you aren't grinding for cash later when the property prices jump into the tens of billions per building.