Gambling and the US is a long love story, especially with cities like Las Vegas or Atlantic City. The business of land-based casinos has permeated American culture, and gambling has becme the object of many fantasies and given rise to incredible TV shows.
These days, thanks to online casinos, gambling’s a far more accessible form of entertainment. It’s now possible to claim bonuses on a smartphone to have fun with excellent games, and you can check here to see if you can claim the promo code from your state. Speaking of entertainment, let’s look at five of the best shows about gambling in the US.
The Best TV Series About Gambling in the United States
- Boardwalk Empire
Boardwalk Empire is a must-see for anyone who enjoys the work of Martin Scorsese, Steve Buscemi, casinos, and mob stories. It follows fictionalized versions of real-life characters during the prohibition era in Atlantic City. The real gangs of Boardwalk Empire include mob celebrities like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano, who are portrayed by talented actors, helping to make the show more realistic. It also deals with other issues of the time, from racial issues to bootlegging.
- Las Vegas
It’s impossible to talk about gambling without mentioning the city of Las Vegas and its namesake show. It’s perfect for those who want to follow likable characters through their various dramas while getting an inside view of how a casino works.
The show perfectly mixes romance, as in the movie in Beautiful Disaster (Taking inspiration from so many other films that have made film history) , comedy, and tense investigations. It features the unforgettable James Caan (The Godfather) and his mentoring relationship with Josh Duhamel’s character, Danny. Their chemistry irradiates from the screen, making following them, tracking down cheaters, or welcoming whales to the Bellagio all the more compelling.
- The Player
The Player is an action-packed show starring Wesley Snipes, Blade himself. Here, a former FBI agent, now a security expert for Las Vegas casinos, gets recruited by a pit boss for a one-of-a-kind job. He must prevent crimes based on this pit boss’ tips, while rich people wager on his success.
- Vegas
Vegas only lasted a single season, but it’s an excellent show, nonetheless. It stars Dennis Quaid (Breaking Away), Michael Chiklis (The Shield), and Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix). A sheriff is tasked with investigating the death of the governor’s niece. During his investigation, he’ll have to contend with Vincent Savino, a man sent by the Chicago mob to catch a rat and run a casino.
- High Stakes Poker
Some people prefer to watch more realistic shows, and High Stakes Poker is probably one of the best for them. It stars some of the greatest poker players as they play together with their own money. High Stakes Poker allows viewers to see how a real poker game is played by the pros, and it has both entertainment and educational value.
Why These Series Appeal to Audiences
Each of these series brings something different to the table that gambling enthusiasts can enjoy. Boardwalk Empire’s a period piece showing how some gambling empires were built. Las Vegas follows a team like those running today’s casinos with a style reminiscent of Entourage. The Player is pure action, with Wesley Snipes at his best. Vegas is a crime mystery revolving around the Chicago mob. High Stakes Poker focuses on the game itself.
Whatever the setting, every show is built around the luxurious image of casinos and the millions they generate. They all show the industry’s good side as well as its less desirable aspects that tourists don’t necessarily witness.
