Many have made the argument that we live in what could be called the “golden age” of television. Shows like Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad opened the flood gates, and ever since their ending, show runners and executives have been trying to capitalize on “the next best thing.” We even see plenty of well-known actors moving away from film, and towards television.
Television, like film, has the potential to explore some truly interesting topics and tackle a variety of genres, especially in this day and age, when we have the cutting edge technology to make fantastic elements look better than ever. Yet, it is usually the most grounded of television shows that soar to the top. Furthermore, it is usually the day-to-day topics that we are face with that fascinate us the most.
Gambling on TV
One such topic is gambling. Often, we hear talk of gambling films - what the best movies that deal with poker, casinos, or card counting are. But, rarely does anyone discuss the portrayal of gambling on television. That is quite interesting to think about, considering TV shows are much more likely to portray some of the more contemporary forms of gambling.
For example, a lot of people may have come across the concept of online gambling from TV. Often, we can see characters in the background, playing poker on their laptops or smartphones, for example. Online casinos are pretty popular right now. You can learn more by checking out casinos.com top casino analysis pages, and understand a bit more about how online gambling works.
If television is just as capable of presenting casinos and gambling, then why don’t more people discuss it? It likely has a lot to do with the fact that the film industry is bigger. However, as we do live in the “golden age” of TV, we think it would be fair to take a look at some ways in which shows portray gambling, casinos, and even online casinos.
Gambling as a Character Trait
Gambling is commonly used as a character trait, a way to boost characterization, and tell us something more about the person on screen. A perfect example of this would be the 2004 medical drama show, House. A rather interesting take on Sherlock Holmes, House, follows the life of the eccentric, anti-social, and sometimes even unpleasant, yet brilliant Dr. Gregory House.
House is a stubborn man, who rebels against any forms of authority, and is willing to take any risk, regardless of the danger. He does so professionally, ordering all sorts of medical procedures that could result in failure. However, he is just as willing to take risks in his personal life. Often, we see House playing poker and blackjack on his work computer, and in the early seasons, he frequents the ponies. His portrayal as a gambler tells us that Doctor Gregory House is a risk-taker, cementing him as a rebel doctor who is willing to do anything to cure his patient. Of course, he is not all that interested in his patients as people, but rather as puzzles to be solved. In that sense, the gambling enhances his characterization, not just as a risk-taker, but also as somebody uninterested in consequences.
Gambling as Entertainment
Poker is often considered a gambling game, akin to blackjack, baccarat, etc. However, in truth, the game shares a lot more in common with chess, or even some sports. While luck is, of course, involved, all of the best poker players rely on skill and strategy to win tournaments. It is, perhaps, for that reason that poker is also quite interesting to watch, especially when the players are highly skilled.
That is why, a lot of television channels broadcast live or pre-recorded poker matches and tournaments. A good example would be the High Stakes Poker show, which has been running since 2006, and still entices people to this day. Top poker pros come together risking their own money, hoping to outsmart the other.
There is also Celebrity Poker Showdown. Certainly, you can guess what the premise here is based on the name alone. Celebrity Poker Showdown brings together film and TV stars who are well-known poker players, and allows them to compete among each other, with light banter and chats enhancing the experience for both players and the audience.
Casinos as a Mood-Setter
Finally, casinos, gambling dens, etc. are often used in television to capture a certain mood or atmosphere. Take The Sopranos for example. The show revolves around a New Jersey mafia group, as well as the family drama of the group’s leader, Tony Soprano. As a mob boss, Tony has to deal with a few enterprises, including gambling. The mafia show does a perfect job of portraying illegal gambling dens, and sets quite the dower mood whenever we find ourselves in one.
By contrast, legal casinos, such as the ones found in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and throughout America are often shown as an incredible experience. Grandiose, luxurious, glamorous, and exciting, gambling establishments are often associated with fun on television. It is precisely for that reason that every sit com has the requisite “Casino episode.” In these episodes, the main cast finds themselves at a casino, and the comedy often stems from incredible wins, or devastating losses. In either case, it is always fun.
Some Things to Think About
Gambling has been a part of human culture for as long as we’ve been around. The discovery of dice-shaped bones dating back to the Paleolithic era is proof of that. Throughout history, gambling has been regulated in different ways, often being outright banned. Today, we live in the golden age of, not just television, but also gambling. Governments have learned that they can’t ban the practice, so they’ve begun to focus on regulation. Casinos, both land-based and online, must be licensed in order to operate, and they must fall in line with certain standards put forth by the various commissions created specifically to keep players safe worldwide.
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