Arts and Cards: A Look at How Gambling Has Influenced the Arts and Vice Versa

Most people have gone through life never once considering the similarities between gambling and the arts. But the truth is that there is a major connection. Both are activities that can be traced back to the ancient world, and both endure today. Art and gambling have both undergone major changes in the digital age. But the industries still provide entertainment for millions of people around the world. 

The gambling industry has been affected by the digital age in an especially profound way. The rise of online casinos has put gambling at the forefront of the public conscious. It isn’t a surprise to see, considering the convenient nature of the market. It is possible to access a casino for UK players using most electronic devices for example. Mobile casinos and live gambling are also all the rage right now, further bolstering the industry’s success.

Art has greatly been changed by the digital era as well. We of course still have artists who dabble in classic forms of art. Painting and sculpting are considered by many to be the pinnacle of artistic expression. But music and film are two branches of the art tree that certainly benefit from technical improvements. Even digital art has gotten a massive boost in popularity. So why are we talking about art and gambling? Is it possible that the two have had any influence on one another over the course of history? That is what we are going to discuss in this text. 

Has Gambling Influenced Art?

We need look no further to prove that gambling has had an influence on art than the countless films made about gamblers and the casino experience. Movies about the stuff can range from comedic takes on it to psychological explorations of a gambler. Gambling has also served on many occasions to bolster the cinematic experience, by giving us glimpses into who the characters are as people. 

• Casablanca: Roulette in Casablanca is used masterfully to show us Rick Blaine for what he is. He is a man who attempts to placate everybody. But has an anti-authoritative streak that makes him buck at the occupational force. He runs an illegal gambling parlor with rigged games in a city where gambling has been outlawed. But even then, through bribery and flattery, he manages to befriend the local police force.
• Win It All: White the film is a comedic take on poker, it is also an exploration of how the game can consume a person’s life. Eddie may get involved in a series of hijinks and comedic adventures, but at the end of the day he is a man trying to win it all, despite how it affects his personal life. 

Films about gambling are some of the most respected films historically. Many of them have stood the test of time because the casino market is not something that will ever go away. But most people will jump to music when they consider gambling’s profound influence on art. There are so many songs that incorporate gambling imagery and references, especially in the rock and roll subgenre. A notable one is “Ace of Spades” by legendary metal group Motorhead. The song is a celebration of a reckless life dedicated to the casino, even in spite the stresses of touring and planning the next album. The band’s head considered the Ace of Spades a symbol of bad luck, which is why he chose it to represent this deeply influential masterpiece. 

But we can’t talk about how gambling has influenced the arts without bringing up painters. Most people will certainly guess that we are about to bring up Cassius Coolidge. Coolidge was a beloved painter of his era. But today he is best remembered for the series of paintings that have come to be known as “Dogs Playing Poker.” The series has been referenced and parodied in cartoons and films throughout history. But it is a master class of visual comedy in its own right. Though it is hard to say that Coolidge imagined the series as comedic. Admiring the paintings will give you a deep understanding of just how tragic some of the imagery is. 

Have the Arts Influenced Gambling? 

It is an undeniable fact that the experience of gambling has had a profound impact on the art world. But the opposite is just as true. Whether you are looking at online slots or land-based table games, the casino industry cannot help but embrace some forms of artistic expression. The clear example is how brick and mortar casinos incorporate music to draw an audience. Gambling was seen as a primarily masculine activity in the past century. It is why casino halls focused on dark lighting and primarily masculine music like hard rock or jazz. But that has changed in the modern era. We now see that women are just as likely to enjoy a round of poker. Casinos have adapted their music libraries to fit this change, playing more pop music and a style of rock that women might identify with more. 

The online gambling market is no different in that regard. Except it is also far more influenced by visual art as well. The best example we could give would be online slots. Most people understand by now that slot games follow a pretty basic formula that might get tiresome after a while. But online casinos have found a good way to diversify their library. They have incorporated thematic elements that clearly require an artistic touch. Visual aesthetics help to set different games apart from each other. Musical elements help to engage the player further into the game and ensure that they remain gripped to the end. 

Closing Thoughts 

The gambling industry has had a profound effect on art. Creative people seek inspiration in all walks of life. Considering that casinos play a big role in modern pop culture, it shouldn’t surprise us that so many artists are drawn to the theme of gambling. But the arts have certainly affected casino culture as well. Musicians and digital artists help to bolster the impact of an online game for example. But even land-based casinos display paintings and sculptures to diversify their environment.