The entertainment and gambling worlds have always been mixed. Many TV shows and movies have used gambling as a theme in their products. Shows and movies are so popular that many people visit places like the Maneki casino to see how they would perform compared to the people on screen.
Throughout history, there have been many gambling TV shows. Some have been popular, and some have been complete flops, but there have also been some hidden gems. With so many gambling shows on TV, it might be hard to pick one. Fortunately, there are experts like Daniel Bennet on the topic.
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Big Deal
Most gambling TV shows are based in the United States, but not this one. Instead, Big Deal is based in London and takes a different perspective on gambling. So many shows portray gambling as something filled with glitz and glamour, making it unrealistic. This program looks at a professional gambler’s daily life and the stresses that come from the lifestyle.
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Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the gambling capital of the world, and as a result, many casino TV shows are based there. While many of them fail to capture the city’s magic, this show had a solid five year run in the early 2000s. It stars James Caan playing a former CIA agent and current casino boss. You’ll recognize him for his appearances in the first two Godfather movies.
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Luck
Luck is one of the newer betting shows on TV, having premiered in 2011. Unfortunately, its run was cut short after it was cancelled halfway through its second season. This show was unique because it didn’t take place in a casino. Instead, it revolved around betting on horse racing.
The show received praise for getting many of the details of the horse racing world correct, as well as for its fantastic cast. However, while horse racing makes for an exciting premise, it turns out that it’s also a dangerous one. While filming, several horses were accidentally killed, which forced the show to be cancelled.
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The Casino
Compared to the other poker shows on TV, this one has a different perspective. Instead of being from the gambler’s perspective, it follows the two millionaire managers of the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino.
The show was produced by Mark Burnett, who is best known for Survivor, and The Casino didn’t reach anywhere near the rating peak as the hit reality show. However, many of those that watched it found it fascinating. It isn’t for everybody, but if you’re interested in the intricacies of running a casino, you might like this show.
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Sneaky Pete
Two of the most popular shows of the 2000s were Breaking Bad and House. Sneaky Pete was created by the star of the former, Bryan Cranston, and the creator of the latter, David Shore.
They produced a drama about a man who gets out of prison and takes over his old cellmate’s identity. The man is a con artist who will do whatever he can to avoid the life he had before prison. While the show isn’t about gambling specifically, it does have a lot of scenes where poker is being played.
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Stan Lee’s Lucky Man
When you think of Stan Lee, you’ll think of characters like Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor, but there were times where he expanded outside the Marvel world. He created the TV show called Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, which is about a homicide detective who is a gambling addict.
Before his addiction can cripple him financially, he acquires a bracelet that gives him the power to control his own luck. With this power, he manages to turn his life around and rebuild his family.
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Poker After Dark
If you are interested in seeing poker played at the highest level, this is the show for you. It follows professional poker players in high stakes games. You will see players like Daniel Negreanu, Doyle Brunson, Chris Moneymaker, and Phil Hellmuth compete for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The show had its original run from 2007 to 2011 before being canceled. However, it didn’t stay off the air for long as it was renewed in 2012. The show ran every week and featured six players playing a $120,000 tournament with a $20,000 buy-in.
Conclusion
There are many great TV shows out there, and many centered around gambling, so it can be hard to choose. Give one of these seven shows a try, and you might just have something new to binge.