Will live in a time where almost anything and everything is criticized by one group or another. One minute we are told that doing something is negative but if we also do the opposite, the outcome is still negative. I know, but of a strange and also annoying situation to find ourselves in.
One of the many questionable debates where it feels like we almost can’t do right from wrong is in Film and TV, more specifically, whether certain TV shows and films promote gambling to viewers. As we mentioned before, almost anything has a for and against group and with film, it is hard to appease the masses with any storyline.
In our opinion, there are some excellent films and TV shows which have a gambling theme to them, some of which we will touch upon in this article. These exciting shows should be enjoyed as just shows and not thought as potentially being harmful and being seen to promote gambling.
The online gambling industry as a whole is growing but that is due to the excitement being built from within the industry itself. For example new bonuses for new customers, new game variations to try for example you can now play Slingo bingo games, an interesting concept combining slots and bingo. We don’t believe that a cause for this growth can rely on the likes of TV and film whatsoever. However, in this article we will take a look at shows that incorporate gambling in their storylines and allow you to form an opinion yourself.
Shows That Show Gambling
Some of the most popular shows in television history have shown gambling and had gambling as an important aspect of the show. One of the biggest examples is Friends, in friends, there are multiple episodes which take place with a gambling backdrop, with one of the episode’s main plots being about a bet deciding if Chandler and Monica should get married.
Not only this, but another very popular sitcom, How I Met Your Mother has a massive gambling subplot which runs through the show. Even some of the biggest laughs in the show are bets, with the Slap Bet being an iconic plotline and promoting betting.
Negative Or Positive
These two are some massive examples of Television shows promoting gambling but that doesn’t mean they are telling people to gamble. How I Met Your Mother features a lot of drinking and even some stories of drinking addiction but that doesn’t mean it is promoting unhealthy drinking habits. It is honest to know that a lot of people around the age of these characters will drink a lot and gamble and that is still the case now.
Films That Show Gambling
Very Similar to television, films are massive when it comes to showing gambling. A lot of films that are critically acclaimed and loved have gambling storylines or use gambling as a background story. Some of the best examples of gambling in films are Uncut Gems and Casino.
Uncut Gems is the first one we have mentioned that really shows how gambling can be a massive negative. Although it isn’t explicitly said, it is clear that the main character has a gambling addiction and continues to make silly choices and take risks when not necessary. The thrill he gets from betting even when making choices that will get him hurt, is exactly how the film makes you feel.
Casino is completely a gambling film, while also not being a complete gambling film. It has a great balance of being gambling and mafia-heavy. It is similar to The Godfather in that matter with The Godfather being less gambling-heavy.
Negative Or Positive
Compared to TV shows, films show gambling in a more negative light. Even though you can see the fun and why gambling is such a fun thing for people to do, it still shows how it can be negative. Uncut gems is our example even if it is slightly dramatized.
Promote Or Not?
I think gambling in the film is shown in fantastic ways because it can show the balance between the major positives and negatives. I don’t think the media promotes gambling, with gambling addiction being something that a lot of people are wary of nowadays, TV and films are also being open about this.
A lot of times when gambling is shown in films or TV they make it a really dramatic thing and this isn’t what it is like in real life. Personally, I think assuming gambling being shown is promoting gambling is damaging to gambling as an industry. It’s the same as asking if a film that shows drug usage promotes drugs, gambling is a fantastic industry and should be respected as such.
