Gambling has expanded and permeated our pop culture, with movies, songs, video games and social media taking up the challenge of portraying the good, the bad and the ugly of this age-old pastime.
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In today’s article, we’ll be focusing on the best portrayals of gambling in movies, music, and social media. Let’s take a short break and explore gambling in our culture.
Gambling in the movies: thrills behind the silver screen
Movie studios and directors are capable of producing amazing works and telling stories that stay in our memories. Hollywood has screened and performed countless real-life scenarios and fictional plots. Let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Molly’s Game (2017)
It focuses on the true story of Molly Bloom, a promising Olympic skier, who after suffering an injury, explores different possibilities and starts hosting some of the most notorious underground gambling poker parties.
Though much is at stake, “Poker Princess” ultimately learns that the thrill of the game and the stakes are what unite poker enthusiasts.The film is based on Molly Bloom’s own memoir and tells her story after she lost everything during an FBI investigation.
Rounders (1998)
Another great movie that centers around the game of poker is this 90s classic, starring Matt Damon, who beautifully portrays the character of Mike McDermott, a young, intelligent and handsome man who wants to test his mettle and skill at a side hustle.
The film focuses on the potential threat of illegal or underground poker gambling, where if the casinos don’t win, the winning players end up in tough trouble with the underground gangs.
The Gambler (2014)
One of Mark Wahlberg’s most underrated movies, “The Gambler” is a fictional story that focuses on the dark side of gambling and what happens when it becomes an addiction. This millionaire, who comes from a promising and financially well-off family, loses all ties with his family and friends because of gambling. The movie delivers tension and adrenaline as we watch his character bet abnormally high amounts to continue playing the game.
Gambling in Books and Literature
Long before there were films, there were books and plays. One of the best portrayals of gambling in literature is Dostoyevsky’s gamblerIn this novel, Dostoevsky delves deep into the psychology of compulsive gamblers. Frequently combining life-threatening stories with stories that explore social bonds through the act of gambling, this novel is a psychological masterpiece on gambling.
And of course, The Great GatsbyIn F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Price of Gambling, gambling is portrayed as a symbol of psychological advancement for wealthy and powerful men (and women) in early 1900s society, an essential game at large parties and aristocratic gatherings.
The thrill of music and gambling
Gambling in music can represent the game itself or be a metaphor for the hardships of life. Musical lyrics and poetry are so similar that the difference between metaphor and truth is almost impossible to tell.
Let’s look back at the national anthem gambler Played by Kenny Rogers. The tricks and psychology of the poker game have something in common with the true wisdom of life. When there is anxiety or expectation, the wisest course of action is to wait and be patient.
“You need to know when to hold your cards and when to put them down” is a powerful quote that can be translated to both a good game of poker and what life brings to the table.
Of course, the infamous Viva Las Vegas, Sung by none other than the King himself, Elvis Presley, this song is a unique ode to Las Vegas, the so-called “Sin City.” Presley’s courageous and passionate voice celebrates the culture, and the song is considered in pop culture to be one of the first groundbreaking acts to openly discuss the world of gambling.
Social Media and Today’s Global Perception of Gambling
Besides the written word, television shows, movies and music, social media, online platforms and games have a huge impact on society’s perception of gambling today.
“Influencers tend to glamorize big wins over losses. At the same time, some educational and motivational speakers perceive the biggest failures as new beginnings, embracing gambling as a habit and normalizing the downside of making losses,” says KasynoPolska. Gambling expert Tobias Bartosz.
This constant exposure, especially among the youngest users of Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, has blurred the line between entertainment and gambling, making it a natural part of everyday life.
Conclusion
Ultimately, while gambling has its drawbacks and requires a conscious and responsible approach, there is no doubt that gambling is one of the most thrilling and truly fascinating settings in pop culture. Gambling heightens the sense of excitement, risk, and adventure. The brilliant depictions of gambling in art deserve the praise they deserve.
That said, the reality of gambling is that you need to balance excitement with calm, set limits on your spending, and know how and when to stop if necessary. Enjoy the portrayal of gambling in mainstream culture, spin the wheel, and always play responsibly and have fun.
Source: Our Culture – ourculturemag.com
