Casinos have long been places where people gather for leisure to play specific games and meet up with friends. Still, they are also the setting for many pop culture inspirations, especially in the film industry of the 20th century where we received so many casino-themed films like Rounders, Croupier, and California Split, to name a few.
But the question that has long been on our minds is: why do casinos serve as such an inspiration for pop culture? On the surface, it’s because they appear glamorous. Stereotypically if you hadn’t stepped foot in one you’d think everyone is dressed in black-tie attire, sipping martinis and playing games with the other half of their mind. In some cases, you wouldn’t be wrong.
You see, the casino inspiration of pop culture has a lot to do with celebrities of the time. Many big celebrities of decades past like Frank Sinatra and present like movie star Matt Damon were known to hang out in the casino. Having those from the big leagues playing in casino games does inspire stories of real life like Molly’s Game and fictional stories of the underdog like in Hard Eight.
In storytelling, casino games are also used to create narratives. Casino Royale, for instance, isn’t about the game but about the high stakes that come with Bond trying to one-up Le Chiffre and stop him from winning a poker game where the money would be used for bad things. In this case, casino games represent an all-or-nothing situation, which is exhilarating to viewers and terrifying.
Even though it isn’t that way in real life, the casino represents excitement that pop culture continues to replicate in many ways. Step into the glitzy world of VIPSlots Casino at Gambino Slots and experience online slots like never before. The High Roller Room is your golden ticket to an exclusive, premium free slots casino adventure, crafted just for top-tier players who want to enjoy the thrill of the casino in a social, risk-free environment.
The influence on film
We have briefly spoken about the casino’s influence on film, but it goes much deeper than the themes of glamour and wealth. The influence of the casino and casino games in the film changes the cinematography of complete scenes. The drama from the casino becomes reflected on-screen, influencing every aspect of a scene.
Sorry to bring it back, but in Casino Royale, the poker game is the most important scene. The camera uses close-up shots to focus on the cards and chips which builds the tension because the audience knows there is a lot riding on the poker game.
The sounds are muted, which brings attention to the ASMR-like sounds at the poker table: card shuffling, heavy breathing, and the psychological impact of that moment. Casino games in real life have influenced the way gambling is played out on-screen with more flair and intensity.
A constant presence in character development
Like in films, the casino has become a fixture on TV. In pop culture, the casino has used the game to continue the character development of several iconic TV characters. On TV, these characters are usually anti-heroes, or categorically ‘bad’ people. In Tony Soprano’s case, gambling shows Tony’s weaknesses, because he goes big or goes home. He doesn’t have control in this element, whereas in his day-to-day life as the boss, he is the one running the show.
For womanizing Barney Stinson, he loves the game. The game isn’t necessarily the catalyst for his character development, but it represents who he is at the beginning and for much of How I Met Your Mother: a thrill-seeking, risk-taking man who wants to live life without limits. Sort of like the play-style of some casino games.
Evoking moods through music
In music, the casino has enabled artists to evoke certain feelings for music or express themselves through card metaphors. Lady Gaga’s 2008 hit “Poker Face” uses poker and cards as a metaphor for something bigger. It’s not about her playing someone or keeping her ‘poker face’ as you might expect.
It’s about keeping her poker face so she doesn’t expose something deeper about herself. Lyrics like “Check this hand ’cause I’m marvelous” show she is good at bluffing to the man she’s with. About what, we don’t know until we put the lyrics together.
“Winner Takes It All” by Abba, although not exclusive to one card game uses the gambling term to talk about heartbreak. Metaphorically or speaking, it’s about a divorce, where one person comes out as the winner, which could be referred to emotionally or financially, depending on how assets are divided. Ouch. In music card games act as metaphors for singers to sing the way they feel without explicitly saying so.
Appearance in fashion
There is no doubt that in entertainment, diversity, and representation are important. Fashion has a big part to play in those two things, which is where the casino comes in. The casino has influenced alternative tastes and diverse fashion choices. In 2017, Dolce & Gabbana did a collection of suits and clothes. adorned with prints of playing cards and a card backdrop, since the collection was called Queen of Hearts. The collection was for their Spring 2018 showcase.
Is it out there? Yes? But was it successful? Also yes. Although not directly linked to her fashion lines, the late designer Vivienne Westwood commissioned prints of her playing cards to be taken and sold. In this case, the cards represented a wider issue of things on Earth that were to be sold to help Greenpeace.
Therefore, we can see that in fashion playing cards and casinos influence messaging. In Dolce & Gabbana’s collection, it was to show off a different fashion line and for Vivienne Westwood, to deliver a message.
