There is no doubt that roulette is one of the most popular games in the gambling world. The popularity of roulette has significantly impacted the gambling industry and popular culture’s perception of it. For example, many casinos use the roulette wheel as their symbol because it is among the most recognizable gambling icons. Casinos seem incomplete without the clicking of the small, white ball against the red-and-white wheel.
As one of the most popular gambling games, roulette often features in blockbuster films in Las Vegas, Macau, Monte Carlo, or any casino. So, how has Hollywood’s depiction of the game impacted roulette’s standing in the world? What films portray roulette in a positive light? And are we, as a society, affected by film representation of popular gambling games? In this article, we explore these topics.
Hollywood’s Portrayal
Going through cinema’s history, we can see an overall positive image of roulette as a game and those who play it. More often than not, roulette players behave as sophisticated, high-class gentlemen or high-spirited, strong women. So, the film industry has certainly had an overall positive interpretation of many gamblers’ favorite games.
And there is no doubt that this interpretation has boosted roulette’s standing in the world. Casino operators note that roulette is a top pick among seasoned and new gamblers. The innovations of the 21st century have made it possible for game fans to play it without ever leaving their home.
You can now play roulette on your PC, smartphone, tablet, or any other electronic device, thanks to online casinos. So, if you want to check out real money roulette, give some of the most trusted online casinos a shot. You are not going to regret it.
Not Always Positive
Throughout most of cinematic history, roulette has enjoyed a reputation as a fun game – something to do during a night out with friends or a once-in-a-while pastime. However, some films break from this pattern.
Quite a few gambling movies can focus on the dark underbelly of the gambling world – mafia-owned casinos, loan sharks, debt collectors, and protagonists who struggle with compulsive gambling. While, more often than not, these films have a happy ending; they can create an overall negative perception of the game and its players.
So, as you can see, Hollywood does not just work to bolster the image of roulette. Films have indeed cast the game and gambling as a whole in a negative light. However, more often than not, gambling films show the glamorous and exciting side of the casino world.
Charismatic Gamblers
The charismatic gambler is a staple of Hollywood and fiction in general. Hollywood has no shortage of charismatic leads. We’ve seen many fabulous gambling films with lovable protagonists, from risk-takers like Tom Cruise to charming ladies like Eva Green.
Of course, one of the most iconic gamblers in fiction, and certainly the most charismatic, is the super spy 007, better known as James Bond. Nary, a film goes by where Mr. Bond does not spin roulette, play baccarat, or even poker.
James Bond is such an iconic gambler that even a roulette strategy is named after him. The James Bond betting strategy is just as iconic as the Martingale or the Fibonacci betting system. And while many have debated its effectiveness, the simple fact that it exists is proof of Hollywood’s impact on the game.
Impossible Winning Streaks
Albert Einstein famously and perhaps apocryphally said, “The only way to win roulette is to steal the cash when the dealer isn’t looking.” However, if you spend a few minutes watching popular gambling films, you wouldn’t think that is the case.
Many films show an impossible streak of consecutive wins at the roulette table. In all fairness, in most cases, the winning streak is part of a joke. We all know how absurd it is to win so much at roulette that it is funny and bizarre that it has happened to a character so many times.
However, some films, especially older ones, portray winning streaks as possible and probable. Doing so paints an unrealistic portrait of how roulette works.
Most Popular Roulette Depictions in Film
In this article’s final section, we would like to review some of the most popular depictions of roulette in film. We will list off a few films and discuss any important scenes that cast roulette in either a positive or negative light.
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James Bond films
We already discussed James Bond previously. However, it is worth mentioning again. The super spy has starred in 27 films thus far, and in most of them, there is a scene set in a casino, where Bond either spins the roulette wheel or plays a round of cards.
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Run Lola Run
The main protagonist in Run Lola Run is an edgy, alternative girl whose boyfriend goes into debt. The plot involves Lola winning big at the roulette wheel to save her boyfriend.
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Casablanca
A cinematic classic and masterpiece, Casablanca is a timeless love story of what could have been. One of the most iconic scenes in the movie sees a down-on-his-luck gambler place two consecutive wins on “22” and win. Of course, the scene shows the game is rigged, as the casino owner tells the gambler to bet on “22”.
FAQ
Is roulette a popular game in Hollywood films?
Yes. Roulette is one of the most prominent gambling games in most Hollywood movies.
How popular is roulette as a gambling game?
Roulette is one of the most popular gambling games in the world, next to slots and blackjack.
What popular characters in films play roulette?
The most popular is Agent 007, James Bond himself.
Can I play roulette online for real money?
Yes, online casinos have made it possible to gamble online using real cash.
Has Hollywood had a positive impact on roulette?
Overall, yes.
