16th Jun2022

Why are Films about Gambling So Popular in the Film Industry

by James Smith

Let’s face it, you’ve fantasized about stumbling upon a million dollars at one point in your life. Unless you already have a million dollars, that is, in that case, you have fantasized about a billion dollars. Everyone wants luck, and gambling is basically an opportunity to get lucky. There is a feeling of rush and excitement every time you make a £2 deposit casino uk and win. When you lose, it is disappointing, but there is also the feeling that the next time could be it. This rollercoaster of emotions is why producers and filmmakers are drawn to making films about gambling.

Gambling films are popular because they appeal to our emotions and make us live precariously through the characters’ lives. Watching films about casinos leave you with an empty feeling once you disconnect and return to reality. However, you can still indulge in gambling from the comfort of your home, for gone are the days when you had to go to a physical casino establishment. Nowadays, if you are online, you can play your favorite poker game and feel like your favorite movie star.

Classic Casino Movies of World Cinema

  • The reason casinos in films have been such a huge hit is the sheer drama and nail-biting suspense. Watching someone risk it all for that one big win is gripping to watch. Casino movies have been a thing since time immemorial, and here you can find some of the notable classic ones which we have selected.
  • Casino (1995) – In this film, Robert De Niro plays Ace, who is a mobster running a casino, but he is also trying to do things a little differently. However, this does not sit well with his best friend and fellow mobster played by Joe Pesci. The director Martin Scorsese takes us through the inner sanctum of the gambling industry in Las Vegas along with the criminal underworld masked by a facade of American enterprise.
  • Rounders (1998) – Matt Damon plays a genius who plays poker during the night to raise money for college. The poker scenes in this movie are quite brilliant and if you play poker, you will find the story more appealing. The cast of this movie is top tier and they do a fantastic job of portraying the life of a 90s professional poker player.
  • The Gambler (1974) – This is a story about addiction. A university professor with a penchant for gambling descends into madness. James Caan delivers a compelling performance in this classic gambler movie that highlights the dangers of addiction. There is also a 2014 version starring Mark Wahlberg, but it cannot really compare to the classic.
  • The Hustler (1961) – One of the most iconic classic movies ever made, The Hustler, is the story of a pool player traveling the country and earning money through gambling. Paul Newman stars in this sports film that makes you appreciate the game of pool.
  • The Color of Money (1986) – This is a prequel to the movie The Hustler, and it was released 25 years later. Tom Cruise joins Paul Newman in the cast directed by Martin Scorsese. Eddie, the veteran pool hustler now selling liquor, returns by taking in Vincincent Lauria as a student. This arrangement doesn’t work out too well, and they end up playing as opponents in a classic student-teacher thriller.

Why is Gambling Relevant in the Film Industry?

Making movies is a huge undertaking that requires a significant amount of resources, so it is crucial to have an impactful film to make a return on investment and not lose money. An impactful film invokes emotion and the reality of our innate characteristics as human beings. Gambling is thrilling to watch and be a part of. Still, it is also a slippery slope as it could be addictive and destroy lives. Earlier this year, the NHS stopped taking gambling funds to treat addiction. While we focus on the glamour of casinos and the lifestyle, we should also take a hard look at the casualties. Gambling will never go out of style in film because these two industries have a connection. A whole range of emotions come out during gambling because the higher the stake, the higher the risk. Everything could change in a single moment and the excitement of winning it all shadows that fear of losing it all.

How Have Gambling Films Affected the Development of Online Casinos?

Films transport us into a fictional world; for a moment, we share the character’s wins, losses, hopes, and dreams. If a character becomes a billionaire in an instant, you share that with them, and when they go broke, you share in that as well. If you’ve already watched a film about casinos, you know what playing is like. The feeling of risk and understanding of the stakes comes naturally. Gambling films have led to the development and thriving of online casinos because people already know what it is like to play. Online games have changed the world of gambling because of their convenience. Wherever you might be, as long as you are online, you can access any casino of your choice.

Conclusion

Gambling is a double-edged sword, and the film industry has tried its best to portray every side of it, including the casino business’s inner workings. As for the entertainment value, films about casinos are super fun to watch. At the end of the day, if you see a character lose money in a movie, don’t feel bad for them. It’s not real.

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