The thrill and glamour of casino gaming have long graced cinema screens. From the 1900s casino films to the modern era of online gaming, the relationship between gambling and cinema continues to grow and reach new heights.  

For starters, there’s continuous technological evolution and innovation within both fields. Films continue to get better and better, and gambling continues to get more immersive. Movies have evolved from black and white films to 4K streams, and casinos shifted from land-based establishments to online and mobile. 

Here’s a fun fact for you: did you know the first movie-based slot was released in the early 2000s? Today, there are hundreds of branded slots you can play at top online casinos, with themes of your favourite shows like Peaky Blinders and Breaking Bad. Likewise, more movies are having intense casino scenes that accurately depict how the gambling space is.  

The best thing about this interlinking is that both industries influence each other towards growth, and that’s what this article is all about. But first, let’s look at the rich history of gambling films to better understand the relationship between the two. 

The Start of This Long-Lasting Relationship

Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

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Casino movies have been a popular genre since their debut in the 1930s due to their ability to portray gambling scenes realistically. The earliest of these shows were The Public Enemy and Smart Money, both released in 1931. Together, they depicted the gambling spirit when it was prohibited and the rise of organised crime that resulted. 

By the 1960s, the casino references in films had taken a more glamorous turn, with shows like The Cincinnati Kid and Ocean’s Eleven portraying the best casino players and their strategies. From here on, these types of movies revolved around exciting and darker themes, with shows like Rounders and Casino. Either way, the audience seemed to relate to and love the films, as shown in rating sites like IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes. 

TV Show and Movie-Themed Slots

Credit: HBO

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Slots are the most played casino games, which explains why most online casinos offer them in thousands. How did these games of chance pull a huge fan base? Well, these games come in all imaginable themes, and among the most popular ones are film-inspired. 

If you’re a fan of TV shows, you’ll love playing exciting slots like Game of Thrones, Deal or No Deal, Family Guy, Wheel of Fortune, and South Park. As for movie enthusiasts, try Justice League, Captain America, Superman II, and Iron Man. Playing TV shows or movie-themed slots is always fun because it allows players to interact more with their favourite characters outside watching the film. 

Casino Scenes in Movies

Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

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Of course, we must talk about gambling scenes in movies if we’re going to explore the relationship between cinema and casinos. Some of them have been so brilliant that they leave a lasting impression on watchers. Nothing is left to chance from the well-dressed dealers, to the tension in the room.  

If you’re ready to start watching movies with top-notch casino scenes, go with The Gambler, The Hangover, The Sting, Casino Royale, and Stacy’s Knights. While some only show a few casino scenes, others are entirely based on gambling. Nonetheless, they are all bound to give you an intense gambling scene with a lot to learn as a player. Some even go as far as to show you some strategies and tricks you can use in real-life online casinos. 

Final Thoughts on online gambling’s ties to movies and TV shows

Credit: MGM Studios

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A striking relationship has existed between the gambling world and movies and TV shows for a long time. It’s evident from how casino software providers integrate films into their games to offer a more immersive and entertaining experience. Besides this, some of the best movies have the most thrilling and glamorous casino scenes. So, in many ways, both industries complement each other to bring the fans top-tier entertainment.

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