To sign up for our daily email newsletter, CLICK HERE
For most of us, the first knowledge of casinos probably came from a movie. Perhaps James Bond or something newer. Perhaps we don’t even remember the movie, but we kept the vision of the flashy interior with rolling dice, cards, machines, smoke, and captivating faces with tense, wandering eyes. The chances are there was a haunting jazz tune in the background, a stunning woman, and men in suits. We didn’t understand a thing, but something was intriguing about the setting. So, let’s remove the dust from those distant memories and dig into the world of movie casinos.
Join us as we unravel how casinos are depicted in movies and how this representation affects the way we perceive them. Also, we might learn something about our own psyche along the way. Why are we so drawn to casinos like Skycrown Casino? Through analyzing narratives, we’ll get some of the answers. The focus will be on Australia since it is a country with relatively lenient gambling regulations, and the activity is prevalent among the natives. Regardless of whether you like to play in a live casino or are a new online casino Australia enthusiast, you may realize something about yourself through movies. Let’s go!
The Famous Oldies
Ready for a movie marathon? We will start with older ones and slowly move towards today. As you will see, casinos are featured in both old and new movies and TV shows, as well as in different historical epochs, for extra flair.
The Club, 1980
This satirical movie deals with sports betting and corruption. The humorous style accompanied by serious topics is a perfect blend for those who enjoy dark themes but prefer a less grim tone.
Caddie, 1976
The plot of the movie follows the life of a real person, Caddie Marsh. Amongst other events and experiences, the main character is also a gambler. It is an intimate look into a woman’s life and her complicated relationship to both people and gambling.
Casino Royale, 1967
Although this is not an Australian movie, it is hard to discuss movie casinos and not mention the first James Bond movie. In this story, we get to know the iconic agent of the British Crown, with his elegant clothes, beautiful women, and quirky villains he always defeats. Not a fan of the dramatic styles found in old movies? There is a 2006 remake.
New Kids on the Block
Broke, 2016
It is another flick with the theme of Australian rugby league, gambling, and corruption.
Dirty Deeds, 2005
A period piece that portrays the gangsters’ involvement in the 1960s Australian gambling scene.
Oscar and Lucinda, 1997
A love story based on a novel by Peter Carey between a prodigy gambler who relies on a superior grasp of mathematics and a rich woman. Their downward journey is a haunting watch.
The Rover, 2014
It is a sci-fi dystopian flick about a man retrieving his stolen car, trying to survive, and overcoming obstacles. In this story, gambling is a sign of desperation. When nothing else works, people rely on luck. But does fortune favour the brave? We surely hope.
Sweet Country, 2017
A movie that explores social themes of the 1920s, including gambling-related crime, racial tensions, and poverty. For more on Australian casino history, click here.
Molly’s Game, 2017
A dive into the world of illegal gambling.
Themes and What They Tell Us About Ourselves
By analysing the stories of popular movies, we have highlighted several thematic sections. Read below to learn about the most emphasised tropes in casino-related movies and the meaning behind them.
Cautionary Tales
Many gambling-related movies deal with addiction, which is a real-life problem connected to adrenaline activities. Does the popularity of the theme demonise gamblers? Yes, to a certain level. Although many people casually gamble, the mass perception of a gambler is still most likely to be that of an addict, emotionally unstable, and impulsive person. However, gambling can lead to serious problems, so it is not surprising many gambling stories would choose to depict addiction.
Social Commentary
Many movies choose to focus on social commentary. Through their casino settings, they explore corruption, mafia, politics, and all the dark forces that often make money from popular industries.
Heist and Deception Plots
This trope usually follows a prodigal gambler, a trickster figure who tries to cheat the industry. It is popular because it is a power fantasy. A brilliant hero against the evil establishment that steals their treasure.
Glamour
Some casino movies follow the lives of the rich and famous. In such pieces, a casino setting can be a sign of luxury and glamour or is meant to depict the depravity of the spoilt elites. Another glamour-oriented depiction follows iconic heroes that everyone wants to be. The most famous example is the secret agent James Bond.
Power
The underlying motif of many gambling-related stories is, of course, power. People of different statures meet in casinos. Mafia bosses, celebrities, royals, secret agents, and the everyday Joe. The power struggle of the casino is the power struggle of society in general.
Hollywoodesque Casinos in Australia
Of course, the most attractive aspect of the casino mythos for ordinary people is the experience of luxury. Therefore, there are several casinos in Australia whose atmosphere is meant to reflect the glamour of the movie casinos, giving people a unique experience of being a character in such a movie. If you are among those who have always dreamt about something of that kind and you happen to travel or live in Australia, these are the casinos you should consider visiting.
Crown Melbourne
This casino is situated in Melbourne and designed to resemble movie sets. Elegant, flashy, and full of different games, Crown Melbourne will make you feel like Bond. James Bond.
The Star Sydney
If you travel to Sydney, try this one. It is on the Darling Harbour and has a dazzling exterior as well as interior, many game options, and a DJ spin to add exciting music to the mix. If you want to feel like a movie star on vacation, The Star Sydney might be the casino for you.
Want to learn how to win at online casinos? Click here.
How Movies Shape the Everyday Perception
It would be an exaggeration to say movies manipulate us. People know there is a difference between fantasy and reality. However, the stories we consume, from ancient myths and religions to fairy tales, novels, and movies, shape the way we see and experience reality. Why? Because people tend to relate to stories. We even remember our own lives in a narrative form. Movies were used as propaganda during the Second World War, the most notable example being The Triumph of The Will, meant to promote the glory of the Third Reich. So, yes, the way something is depicted influences our real-life perception of it.
What can it tell us about casinos? We could put notoriety on the list since many casino stories are about addiction, corruption, and crime. Is it untrue? No. There is a reason why movies choose such themes. But, for an average Joe, it is not true, so it is a shame it affects them too.
Casinos are also metaphors. For the mythical treasure, a hero has to take from the villain. The struggle between classes. But also philosophical explorations of the concept and role of luck versus skill.
They are popular because they offer us escapism through glamour and luxury, excitement through the anguish of the characters that attempt to cheat the system, a worthy lesson in the journeys of addicts, and broader criticism of society through crime, corruption, and the underground. The fascinating setting of a casino is polysemic. It represents what we want or think we want and provides a thrilling conflict for protagonists to conquer. It represents what we fear: the dark underbelly of our society, the dangerous hell created by the mafia where people lose their lives and souls.
Conclusion
Australians are fond of gambling. Their local industry is booming due to the lenient regulations and an abundance of choice. Online casinos make everything easier by being more accessible and enabling the players more privacy, especially if they wish to avoid prejudice.
Australian movies depicting gambling and casinos tend to focus on several major themes, like personal experience, usually addiction, and the layers that make the fabric of society, whether it is the criminal underground, corrupt politicians, ordinary people trying to get by, or the elites. They use the casino background to explore psychology, power, sociology, and social hierarchy, but also the various ways in which that hierarchy can be jeopardised.
On one hand, we have the gritty reality of addiction, crime, and violence. On the other, money, fortune, and luxurious adventures. Conveniently, our perception of casinos is double-edged. It is a thrilling opportunity and a dangerous trap at the same time. Contrasts tend to be an effective storytelling choice, and casinos are full of them. Fancy dresses, polite mannerisms, flamboyant settings, but anything can lurk from beneath.
Author’s Bio:
Lola holds a degree from the University of Tasmania (UTAS), post-graduation, she collaborated with gambling operators to innovate new bonus structures and enhance game features. She has consistently championed responsible gambling as a cornerstone of the affiliate industry. For now, she leads as the Chief Editor at Au Casinos List, setting the gold standard in online gambling journalism. Lola Henderson, an Australian online casino writer, has been in the business of writing about online gambling and casino games for years.
