The casino in Starfield is called The Almagest, an abandoned luxury space station that once aimed to recreate the golden age of Las Vegas gambling in zero gravity. While you cannot play slot machines or card games anymore, this derelict station offers substantial rewards for explorers willing to clear out the Spacer gang that has taken residence. This guide provides complete details on locating the casino, accessing the jackpot vault, and maximizing your loot haul.
Introduction
The Almagest Casino stands as one of Starfield's most intriguing early-game locations, offering a unique zero-gravity combat experience combined with significant loot opportunities. Unlike functional casinos you might expect, this abandoned station tells a story of failed ambition through environmental storytelling while providing practical rewards including credits, contraband, skill books, and weapons. Understanding how to efficiently navigate and loot this location can provide a substantial boost to your early-game resources.
Exact Location of the Almagest Casino
The Almagest Casino is located in the Olympus system, orbiting the planet Nesoi. This system sits conveniently close to Alpha Centauri, making it accessible very early in your playthrough without requiring extensive grav drive upgrades or fuel management.
Finding the Olympus System
Open your starmap and locate Alpha Centauri, one of the first systems you encounter in the main story. The Olympus system is positioned directly to the right of Alpha Centauri, past the Guniibuu and Indum systems. It sits in a central location that makes it easy to reach from most early-game quest hubs. The system is southeast of Alpha Centauri and south of the Cheyenne system on the galactic map.
Docking with the Casino
Once you arrive in the Olympus system, open your scanner and target the planet Nesoi. You can fast-travel directly to Nesoi orbit, where you will immediately see the Almagest Casino space station. The station is impossible to miss due to its large size and distinctive architecture. Fly your ship toward the station until you are within docking range. When the Dock prompt appears beside the Hail button, press the corresponding key to automatically dock with the station and prepare to board.
The History and Background of the Almagest
Understanding the casino's backstory adds context to what you find inside. The Almagest was conceived as a premium zero-gravity gambling destination designed to evoke nostalgia for old Earth's Las Vegas. However, the venture failed spectacularly due to multiple factors that led to its abandonment.
Why the Casino Failed
The Almagest suffered from prohibitively high operating expenses that never matched revenue projections. Initial reviews following the grand opening were disastrous, with critics attacking everything from overpriced amenities and drinks to the impractical design choice of slot machines dispensing physical tokens that players had to carry around in zero gravity. Most damaging to the casino's reputation was the discovery that management had quietly disabled jackpot payouts on slot machines to save credits, effectively running a rigged operation. These combined failures led to a hasty shutdown, leaving the station derelict above Nesoi.
Current Inhabitants
By 2330, Spacers have boarded the abandoned station and established it as a base of operations. These low-level enemies are attempting to hack the station's systems to extract residual credits and loot whatever valuables remain. While the term abandoned applies to the casino's original operators, you will need to fight through approximately ten Spacers, including two slightly stronger leaders, to safely explore the entire facility.
Navigating the Zero-Gravity Environment
The Almagest features no artificial gravity, creating a unique combat and exploration experience. Movement works differently than on planetary surfaces or gravity-enabled ships, requiring adjustment to your tactics.
Movement Mechanics
Use your boost pack to propel yourself in any direction within the station. You can float up to higher levels, drop down to lower areas, and move horizontally through corridors with equal ease. Take advantage of the three-dimensional space by positioning yourself above or below enemies for tactical advantages. The zero-gravity environment makes it easy to access all areas of the station without traditional stairs or elevators.
Combat Strategies
Zero-gravity combat requires different approaches than standard gunfights. Enemies can attack from any angle, including above and below your position. Use cover carefully, as Spacers can float around obstacles. The lack of gravity means recoil affects your position more noticeably, so brace yourself against walls or structures when firing automatic weapons. Most Spacers in the Almagest are relatively low-level, making them manageable even with starter weapons and limited combat skills.
Finding the Manager's Office and Jackpot Combination
The key to accessing the jackpot vault lies in the manager's office, located in the upper section of the casino's main chamber.
Locating the Office
After entering the Almagest, proceed through the initial corridor and turn left at the end of the hall. Float down into the main casino area and clear out the Spacers in the central chamber. Once the area is secure, look for the large vault door embedded in the wall. Float upward to reach the upper level above this vault. The manager's office is a small room with windows overlooking the casino floor, positioned on the left side of the upper level.
Looting the Manager's Office
Inside the office, you will find three wall-mounted safes with varying difficulty levels: novice, advanced, and master. Crack as many as your Security skill and Digipick supply allow, as they contain valuable weapons and ammunition. A large storage crate in the corner holds additional loot worth collecting. Most importantly, locate the Nova Galactic Manual 10 skill book next to the manager's computer, which permanently improves your piloting abilities.
Obtaining the Combination
Access the manager's computer and open the Jackpot Combination file. The combination is 12, 19, 36, 5. This four-digit code unlocks the jackpot vault terminal. If you cannot access the computer or prefer to skip the search, you can use this combination directly at the vault terminal.
Opening the Jackpot Vault
With the combination in hand, you can now access the jackpot vault and claim your rewards.
Finding the Vault Entrance
Exit the manager's office and look down toward the large vault door you saw earlier. The main vault door itself cannot be opened, but there is a small vent opening located at the bottom right corner of the door. Float down and position yourself to enter this vent. Pass through the vent and then float upward through a hole in the ceiling, which leads into a small secure room.
Claiming the Jackpot
Inside the vault room, you will find the Jackpot Backend terminal. Interact with the terminal and enter the combination one digit at a time: 12, 19, 36, 5. Successfully entering the code awards you 3,600 credits directly. Behind the terminal sits a large crate containing contraband items. The specific contents vary between playthroughs but may include illegal substances, stolen antiques, or harvested organs. These items are valuable but will trigger scans when entering major settlements, so plan your smuggling strategy accordingly.
Additional Loot and Items
Beyond the jackpot vault, the Almagest contains numerous other valuable items worth collecting during your visit.
Spacer Drops
Each Spacer you eliminate drops randomized loot including weapons, ammunition, credits, and aid items. The two leader-class Spacers carry slightly better equipment than standard enemies. Thoroughly loot all bodies before leaving the station to maximize your resource gain.
Floating Items
Throughout the casino, various minor miscellaneous items, food packages, and small credit chips float in the zero-gravity environment. While individually insignificant, collecting these as you explore adds up to worthwhile supplementary loot. Check corners and upper areas where items may have drifted.
Weapons and Equipment
The safes in the manager's office contain weapons appropriate for your level, often including upgraded variants with useful modifications. These can serve as immediate equipment upgrades or valuable vendor items depending on your current loadout.
Smuggling Contraband from the Casino
The contraband crate in the jackpot vault presents both opportunity and risk. These illegal items sell for substantial credits but will get you arrested if detected during security scans.
Understanding Contraband Mechanics
Major settlements and faction headquarters perform cargo scans when you land. If contraband is detected in your ship's cargo hold, security will confiscate the items and may impose fines or arrest you depending on the severity. Successfully smuggling requires either avoiding scans or using shielded cargo holds that hide contraband from scanners.
Shielded Cargo Solutions
To safely transport contraband, you need to install shielded cargo modules on your ship. These specialized components can be purchased from certain ship technicians or found during exploration. The Deception skill tree also includes abilities that reduce scan effectiveness. Alternatively, you can sell contraband at locations that do not perform scans, such as the Trade Authority kiosks in major cities or certain outlaw stations.
Conclusion
The Almagest Casino in Starfield offers one of the most rewarding early-game exploration opportunities, combining accessible combat, unique zero-gravity mechanics, and substantial loot rewards. Located in the Olympus system orbiting Nesoi, this abandoned space station is easy to reach from Alpha Centauri and provides 3,600 credits from the jackpot vault, valuable contraband, skill books, and multiple safes worth cracking. The combination 12, 19, 36, 5 unlocks the jackpot terminal, while the manager's office on the upper level contains the Nova Galactic Manual and three lockpickable safes. Whether you are seeking credits, combat experience, or simply exploring Starfield's environmental storytelling, the Almagest Casino delivers a memorable and profitable adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the casino located in Starfield?
The Almagest Casino is located in the Olympus system, orbiting the planet Nesoi. The Olympus system is positioned to the right of Alpha Centauri on the starmap, making it easily accessible early in the game.
What is the jackpot vault combination for the Almagest Casino?
The jackpot combination is 12, 19, 36, 5. You can find this code on the manager's computer in the upper office, or enter it directly at the Jackpot Backend terminal to claim 3,600 credits.
Do I need special skills to loot everything in the casino?
While you can access the jackpot vault without special skills, having Security skill ranks allows you to open the three safes in the manager's office, which range from novice to master difficulty. Higher Security skill and more Digipicks increase your total loot.
What level should I be to clear the Almagest Casino?
The Spacers in the Almagest are relatively low-level enemies, making the location accessible even at the beginning of the game. Most players can successfully clear the station at level 5 or above with basic weapons.
Is there gravity in the casino?
No, the Almagest Casino has no artificial gravity. The entire station features zero-gravity conditions, which affects both combat and exploration. You will need to float and use your boost pack to navigate between levels.
What contraband can I find in the jackpot vault?
The contraband crate behind the jackpot terminal contains randomized illegal items that vary between playthroughs. Possible contents include illegal substances, stolen antiques, or harvested organs, all of which sell for high prices but trigger security scans.
Can I actually gamble at the Almagest Casino?
No, the casino is abandoned and non-functional. You cannot play slot machines, card games, or any other gambling activities. The only way to win credits is by accessing the jackpot vault with the combination code.
How do I dock with the casino space station?
Fly your ship close to the Almagest station in Nesoi orbit until you are within docking range. When the Dock prompt appears on your screen, press the corresponding button to automatically dock and board the station.