Gambling is a pastime that’s deeply entwined with the history of many cultures around the world. It went from an underground vice to a legit industry in the span of a few centuries. From gambling dens to online casinos, gambling never stops marching.
The growing popularity of online casinos has seen it portrayed in different ways in various media. Gambling has become so normalized, that it’s not a surprise to see it written into literary stories, video games, and of course, the big screen. In this guide, we’ll take a look at how gambling is portrayed across different mediums.
Literature
Gambling has always been a recurring theme in literature. Some of the first mentions of gambling classics such as blackjack have been in books. Both classic and modern titles offer a deep look into gambling narratives, usually setting it up as a vice for the main character.
In the past, books have portrayed characters visiting land-based casinos. In the future, we might see characters that visit online casinos such as Casinos.com from their phones. It’s pretty obvious that online casinos are the future of gaming, so playing in Las Vegas won’t always be getting a mention in literary works.
Regardless of that narrative decision, it’s clear that gambling in literature is all about pursuit of wealth. Main characters are always chasing for glory to achieve their grand ambitions, which is also usually their downfall. Great writers provide deep insights into the fragile minds of gamblers.
It’s a central theme in many genre-defining books, including The Great Gatsby. The enigmatic Jay Gatsby hosts parties where his guests can take part in debauchery and gambling, with many of the supporting characters trying to book a spot among his elite guests via gambling.
It doesn’t always work, of course. The obsession with wealth and chasing riches always ends up in the most negative way. It may be depicted as exciting and a rewarding behaviour, but risk taking on it also leads to disillusions, moral decay, and tragedy in the end.
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Movies and TV Shows
TV shows and movies portray gambling from both sides. Many major hits such as Casino portray the gritty and dangerous side of running things in the casino industry. In Croupier, gambling is portrayed as a means to a goal, in this case, helping the character write a great novel.
In most movies and TV shows, gambling is a pitfall in which main or supporting characters fall quickly into. A recurring theme is having characters gamble to pay off a debt to loan sharks or mob members. Either way, the portrayal of gambling on the big screen is similar to literature, since the two are closely linked with each other.
In TV Shows such as Las Vegas, which aired from 2003 to 2008, gambling is portrayed as a lucrative pastime. Addiction and financial ruin are given the backseat, which is dangerous as it can change the viewers’ perception about it. The reality of gambling is pretty different. If you don’t keep your wits to yourself, you will be in trouble before you know it.
Video Games
In the past few years, video games began depicting gambling as a side theme more often than ever before. Casinos and gambling are normalized in the video game industry. For example, gambling is an activity you can participate in GTA V, with lucrative rewards. You’ll see casinos all across Los Santos, and even if you can’t play the games, you can bet on street races you take part in and win great payouts. That’s still gambling.
In GTA Online, though, gambling is a full-blown activity. Players can hang out in many casinos across Los Santos, playing Spin to Win Roulette, Three Card Poker, blackjack, slots, or the Lucky Wheel. You can even bet on horses. And it’s all done in a realistic way – certainly one of the most realistic gambling impressions in video games we’ve seen. You can lose money and build up a debt, and play for big bets to pay it off. You can also win other rewards such as unlocking clothing, win vehicles, or get discounts for luxury vehicles.
It’s a bit of a glorification of the idea of gambling, and it’s even worse because this is an online game. It wastes no time at introducing the concept, with a random selection of prizes on offer.
Gambling in Cyberpunk 2077 is portrayed in a whole different light. Casinos are a place for the morally decayed, and the narrative behind it shows that they’re a place for the weak. You can’t play the games, which is probably done on purpose, but mods have added playable roulette tables in Night City. Nevertheless, the fact that casinos are in the dangerous world of Night City states how normalized it is in today’s society.
The most recent portrayal of gambling—and in quite an innovative way we must say—is in Sony’s Astro Bot. The hit platformer has impressed players with its innovative levels, one of which takes place in a casino high up in the clouds. You won’t be playing games, of course, as the game’s audience includes young players. But, it’s fun to jump over slot machines or on chips to reach the next goal.
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The Impact on Perception
The portrayal of gambling in pop culture and the entertainment industry has a massive impact on the public perception. Media representations of gambling as a glamourous activity create a sense of aspiration. Many literary and movie works suggest that gambling can be used to achieve financial success and a lavish lifestyle.
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Of course, some portrayals are a stark contrast, presenting stories that are a warning for viewers. It’s all about how you take it all in, but one thing’s for sure – the media tries its best to contribute to normalization of gambling in our society. Not always on purpose, but that’s the general opinion.
As adults, we can do whatever we want as long as it’s legal. Gambling is in most countries around the world. Despite the thrill of this activity, it should be noted that you should gamble responsibly. Remember – gambling in fictional works is still fiction, and you may not be so lucky as your favorite character.
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