Even though we are currently in the modern age of casinos, where 99% of the players rely on having fun through online platforms, gambling is an age-old activity that spans hundreds of years in the past. Throughout the last century, with the rise of technology and land-based casinos, we’ve seen an exponential increase in gambling being portrayed in cinema and other forms of entertainment. In this article, we’ll explore this topic and see its impact on the people and if that impact had more positive or negative effects on society.
The History of Gambling in Cinema
The film industry has existed since the beginning of the 20th century, and since its inception, it has become the most widespread form of entertainment worldwide. As we know it today, cinema is a lot different from what it used to be, but the core concept of this media form has remained the same.
Considering that gambling is much older than movies, once we look back, we can see that even the earliest forms of film productions featured people wagering their money and trying their luck. It’s important to mention that land-based casinos weren’t present at this point.
This means that most gambling in these movies revolves around characters playing games against each other. The most famous example of this would be the era of Wild West cinema, which showcased the exciting action of outlaws and their lives and frequently included playing games like poker.
During this period, the activity was associated with criminals and others who weren’t respecting the laws, as gambling was still largely illegal in most parts of the world, including the United States and Canada. But this all changed as the industry was slowly becoming legal and expanded.
The establishment of the casino market in the US marked a turning point for gamblers and movie enthusiasts alike. As the years went on, we saw hundreds of takes on the genre in cinema, with movie directors incorporating many original ideas that we had yet to see.
It’s safe to say that this trajectory only moved upward as people worldwide enjoy casino-related films daily. The media’s accessibility allows millions of people to experience the high stakes and thrills of wagering while being entertained and taking no risks.
Modern Casino Movies
While cinema’s “golden age” mostly depicted gambling, with cowboys fighting against the law and spending leisure time in saloons staking their cash, the modern movie landscape paints a different picture. While we can occasionally see a modern Western, film producers usually have a different idea about gambling nowadays.
Today, most of the productions we see regarding this topic revolve around land-based casinos. Even though online platforms are by far the most popular choice for people today, making movies about iGaming enthusiasts wouldn’t be so exciting without the glamour of a real-life establishment.
In most cases, the plots of these films are usually situated in the center of flashiness and excitement. Of course, we are talking about Las Vegas. It would be an understatement to say that this city played a massive role in the industry’s commercialization.
It completely changed how people looked at gambling as a whole, and it significantly contributed to the genre of movies we are talking about. You will find it difficult to see a casino film that isn’t portrayed here. Las Vegas embodies excitement, chaotic fun, and massive cashouts.
Be that as it may, it would be unfair to categorize only one type of modern casino movie, as several takes on this genre examine the industry and its participants from multiple perspectives. There have been several great productions that feature realistic portrayals of punters. Still, many have focused primarily on showcasing high-stakes scenes full of nerve-racking moments.
Whether you like to watch cool-looking characters tricking the house with slick techniques or lavish figures placing enormous amounts of money, you will find a gambling movie that fits your tastes. The options are endless, with many titles considered cult classics, even for non-gamblers.
We’ve also seen a couple of takes on this genre that focus more on the dark dangers of this hobby and the message of responsible gambling. These movies have a somewhat different approach from the rest, as they mainly depict all the negative aspects of the activity, usually involving addiction, debt, and mental health issues.
What about iGaming in Today’s Media?
Even though many directors and producers have yet to make a ground-breaking movie about modern online gambling, iGaming is far from unrecognized in contemporary media. Many would even say it may be too prevalent in our daily lives and negatively affect people, especially younger generations.
Today, popular video and live-streaming platforms feature hundreds of creators focusing solely on providing their audiences with gambling content. In most cases, streamers broadcast their playing sessions live, allowing viewers to tune in and cheer for them, all while being able to communicate with other fans.
While this may seem like a perfect way for people to experience the thrills of casinos without having to stake money themselves, there have been many controversies and issues revolving around gambling streamers. These influencers are generally sponsored by the casino platforms where they are playing.
They usually have referral links to their live broadcast, which viewers can use to visit the brand themselves. This led many people to believe that the streamers primarily exploit the viewers for their benefit instead of trying to deliver accurate content. Some of them have also been caught in playing with rigged probabilities.
The biggest concern with this issue is that many underage audiences tend to follow these influencers. Young children and teenagers are prone to emulating people they admire, and seeing someone rake in millions of dollars in a single session may instigate them to try gambling themselves.
This puts an entirely different perspective on the media depiction of casinos. While movies tend to tell stories with complex plots, overarching narratives, and believable characters, modern entertainment advertises the activity more than anything else, leading to mixed opinions from the public.
The Negative Side of Gambling Films
Even if modern live streaming has a much worse influence on younger generations than cinema, gambling movies can also negatively affect those who watch them. As mentioned, these films usually portray lavish lifestyles with high-stakes players who win in most cases.
If you have any experience with casinos, you’d know that hitting big jackpots and taking home enormous sums of money isn’t something that happens regularly. Most players enjoy their time online by playing exciting games and being entertained without putting monetary games at the forefront of their priorities.
Those who have never gambled might get the wrong impression of watching movies that glamorize the activity and exaggerate the outcomes, which may lead them to believe they can achieve the same thing. Realistic expectations are crucial for gamblers who want to have a healthy relationship with the hobby, which is why it’s so important that new players don’t get the wrong first impression.
Another critical factor to consider is that recovering gambling addicts can also be negatively impacted by the movies in this genre. Ex-punters who had to give up casino games, because they had financial and mental issues may get triggered by all the tempting scenes.
Lifting the Industry
While gambling films may certainly have multiple adverse effects on their viewers, they have also been responsible for increasing the industry’s player base. More people than ever are spending time in online and land-based casinos, and part of the reason lies in all the thrilling movies that have been made.
Titles like “Casino,” “Rounders,” and “Leaving Las Vegas” are just some of the legendary cinematic pieces that shaped and influenced the real-life market for millions of people. Even if most movies do not showcase healthy gambling behaviors, they appeal to audiences and resonate with them.
Be that as it may, we haven’t seen many movies that resemble all the classics in recent years, unfortunately. This is mainly because most punters today tend to play in online casinos, as land-based establishments are much less accessible and more expensive for the average person.
We hope to see more blockbuster productions as they undoubtedly have a much higher value than modern gambling media that mainly revolves around product placement and advertising.
Conclusion
Considering everything, gambling in movies has existed since the beginning of cinema itself. It is an irreplaceable part of history that has garnered millions of fans worldwide and continues to do so. There are numerous cult classics out there we think every accurate punter should watch at least once in their lifetime.
Apart from being great pieces of entertainment that feature gambling, many are also considered legendary films for their other qualities, like interesting scripts, excellent acting skills, and impressive set pieces. In summary, plenty of these films will be worth your time, but you must look at them as a fun pastime instead of something that can benefit you with real-life wagering. Remember that they are fiction and do not accurately represent how gambling works.
