How Gambling Has Influenced Pop Culture

Gambling has been a part of human culture since its inception. People have always wagered on the outcome of sports, games of chance, or even games of skill. Throughout history, gamblers and gambling itself have had a profound impact on popular culture. In this article, we would like to take a look at what that influence is.

Online Entertainment

Digital technology has helped us in many ways. We are now more connected than ever. We can keep in touch with distant relatives that live oceans apart. We can access any bit of information with just a Google search. Most importantly for this article, we can play online casino games at Christchurch Casino, and other gambling websites.

iGaming is a catch-all term that most use to describe the recent online gambling industry. Whether you are talking about sports betting, slots, poker, or anything in between, iGaming is the term to use. It is quite impressive to think that the first online casinos opened their proverbial doors in the 1990s. In just a couple of decades, the online gambling market is now a match for the land-based casino industry.

Film and Television

There is no denying that gambling has had a profound influence on the film and television industry. Even excluding films and television shows that are outright about gambling, just think about all of the times you’ve watched a TV show in which the characters gather for a weekly “poker night.” However, if we take a look at the media that focuses on gambling, the pool gets even wider.

Some of the greatest films of all time can be called “gambling movies.” One such movie that comes to mind is Rain Man, a film that has had a profound influence on both cinema and culture in general. Casino is another profoundly influential film, which deals with the mafia’s influence on the American gambling industry.

Even Japanese anime has tackled the subject. The hit series Kaiji sees the protagonist compete in a series of high-stake games, all the while wagering his life savings, and sometimes, even his life. Despite the show lacking any action whatsoever, it still manages to keep the audience on their toes.

Music

Plenty of musicians have proven that they are deeply interested in the theme of gambling. Lady Gaga’s hit song “Poker Face” may not be about gambling outright, but it does use poker-based imagery to prove a point.

On the other hand, Motorhead have released several gambling anthems, with the most iconic of them being “Ace of Spades.” The song covers everything from poker to roulette, and all the while celebrates both the good and the bad aspects of being a travelling gambler.

Without a doubt though, the most iconic gambling song is Elvis Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas.” As you can gather from the title, the song is an ode to Sin City. The song talks about the bright lights, the pretty women, and the fun that a man with money can have in one of America’s biggest tourist attractions.