Hello I'm looking for some ideas/advice on running a "Death Game" a kin to Gantz, Hunger Games, Maze runner, Squid game, Saw etc

long story short my mid level players (9-10) are about to sign up for a "Gambling Tournament" run by devils

(my world has a nation inspired by the 9 hells with a puppet government but is actually run by a Mafia like organization called The Syndicate with families/houses inspired by the Devil Princes they each have competing interest by fulfill certain roles which make the organization function as a whole with a Godfather like Asmodeus, and 1 of the houses provides "entertainment" and is hosting its Grand Carnival held every 666 days)

I was looking for some tips/ideas/advice etc that could help make it a fun bunch of sessions

the plot elements, I have worked out loosely (I try not to get to tied to any 1 idea because well you know players) as far as NPC appearances, some red shirts and some likely npc deaths, and twist etc but what I don't have are the actual games

So I was hoping to make it a variety of experiences some pure skill challenges, some combat, puzzles, some small group (just the party) some big groups (with NPCs) and even some solo games.

I want them to have the risk of death but trying to stay away from any save or die stuff.

Ideas so far include;

A hunt - tracking, maybe a monster combat

A culinary competition - like iron chef with the secret ingredient being the thing they hunted

Some sore of maze with puzzles/traps (likely during the course of which I will split them up)

A betting game using dice with some luck but mostly strategy involved

I want to dangle incentives for them to turn on each other or make some really tough choices with some beloved NPCs but also reward them later for "being good".

Thoughts? comments? ideas? ... Help please TT_TT

I feel like it is important for each challenge to comprise of multiple checks and also to allow them to think about it tactically.

How much of a twist are you intending to put on these things? If it's run by devils, I would expect this to be a very devious game. For example, the party/individuals are tasked with racking a monster or group of monsters, but it turn out it's just players of the game in there, and they are all under illusion spells to appear as monsters to each other. It's actually a last man standing game!

I would consider, as the moral dilemma, giving the characters magic items whenever someone dies - uncommon for NPC's, and rare/very rare when a PC dies - and then at the end offer them the choice; their friends life, or the magic item. Make the magic item really tempting, especially the one gained if a PC dies. When they make a decision, then the game is revealed - the items crumble to sand, the PCs & NPCs aren't really dead, and loads of devils are handing money between one another, evidently having bet on this outcome. Depending on their chocie, they may be approached by a Devil or a Fallen Angel who wants them to help with something because their heart is evil/good, leading to the next adventure!