Hollywood directors are trendsetters who can popularize anything, including casinos. Some of the biggest blockbusters ever involve gambling — just think of James Bond, the Ocean’s franchise, 21, etc. Casino Royale introduced millennials to poker. These hits continue to affect the perception of casino games.
Over the past decades, movies, and TV series set in casinos have topped the charts. Do the Pragmatic Play games owe some of their popularity to filmmakers? Is it possible that some movies made gambling unappealing instead of popularizing it? Here are four crucial observations.
1. The Power of Charisma
Have you noticed that Hollywood gamblers are usually irresistibly charismatic? In the past two decades, we have seen George Clooney, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Daniel Craig behind the gambling table. At least some viewers were inspired to play the same games. Typically, roulette, blackjack, slots, and poker have appeared in scripts. Unsurprisingly, these are the favorites of real gamblers.
2. Casinos And Crime
In Hollywood productions, gambling usually goes hand in hand with criminality. The storylines involve the protagonist getting in trouble with local criminals and trying to get out. Some movies, such as Casino starring Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, expose the scary underbelly of the gambling industry.
As a result, some movies make gambling less attractive. To be fair, they show an outdated picture. Modern establishments are legit businesses. Brutal beatings and torture were part of the casino industry in Vegas from the 60s to the 80s. Contemporary casinos are leisure establishments with entertainment for the whole family.
3. Consistent Winning
If you watch Hollywood movies, you may conclude that winning is quite common. The characters win in slots and table games, raking in impressive sums. While fictional gamblers get huge amounts of money, the odds for a real player are very modest.
Of course, you can still win, but rarely. Otherwise, the casino business model would not be profitable. Remember that the House always wins in the long run, and every game contains an inherent house edge.
4. Luck vs. Skill
Many movies misrepresent games of luck, as their characters play them like games of skill. For instance, both craps and baccarat are based on pure chance. Yet, we see James Bond beat opponents by using specific techniques. This creates a false and dangerous impression — you may decide that by practicing at games of luck, you will improve the odds. While this is possible to some extent, the difference is only negligible.
To Conclude
Movies and TV series show both sides of the gambling industry — the shiny and glamorous exterior and the dark underbelly of the past. The portrayal can either inspire viewers to gamble or scare them away from casinos. Unfortunately, misrepresentation of the odds and huge winnings in games of luck create a false impression. If a recent movie has inspired you to hit the road for the nearest casino, learn how this industry truly works before putting any money at stake.