Casinos and Comedy: Where do They Meet?

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In the mid-1600s, an establishment opened in Venice that changed the course of history. The first ever casino, which at the time was known as “The Little Red Room,” but now is better-known as the Casino de Venezia, was an instant hit. Men and women from all over Italy came to Venice, to have a go at some of the most popular casino games. 

Of course, as time passed, casinos grew more popular, but also changed quite significantly. In the 21st century casinos have a relationship with all manners of entertainment markets, including comedy. In this article, we would like to explore how comedy and casinos intertwine, with the goal of understanding whether these two industries benefit each other. 

Comedy at Online Casinos

The success of the iGaming industry cannot be under looked, especially when discussing the relationship between comedy and gambling. These websites are full of excellent games, that are going to please any long-time gambling fan. Whether you want to play online dice games, classic slots, blackjack, or roulette, online casinos have it all. But, where does the comedy come in? 

In an attempt to satisfy a broader audience, online casinos have launched themed slots. As the name suggests, these are slot games that are bolstered by a certain aesthetic. Comedic themes are among the most popular ones. Everybody wants to laugh, and jokes are a great way to smooth over another failed attempt at a jackpot, or to make a big payout feel ever bigger. 

Online casinos also may feature slots based on comedy films. If they have the permission or the right to create a comedy film-based slot, then it is certainly possible that you will find one. After all, there are popular music slots, that are inspired by famous rock bands. Not to mention, there are also plenty of slots inspired by popular films, like Star Wars or the Fast and Furious franchise. 

Comedy Shows at Casinos

When most people think of comedy, the film category may be the first thing to come to mind. However, comedy is so much more than film. Stand-up comedy shows have often been praised as the rawest and honest expression of the genre. While these shows are often held in clubs, casinos are also quite well-known for host comedy nights. 

Plenty of popular comedians have performed at casinos over the course of their long and stellar career. For example, Jay Leno, who shows no signs of slowing down, even at the age of 73. After his stint hosting the “Tonight Show,” Leno went back on the road, and has performed at several casinos in Vegas, Indiana, and more. But, he isn’t the only one.

Anthony Jesselnik is known for his dark, edgy humor. While certainly not for everyone, he does know how to fill a room. Or, in some cases, a casino. Jesselnik has performed in Native American Casinos throughout America. He has done shows at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood and Tampa, and much more. It seems that casinos and comedy really do go great together. 

Casinos and Comedy Films

Comedy films have always been a big part of Hollywood. They are easy, simple, and fun entertainment, that anyone can enjoy, often with the whole family. Even when comedy films get panned by critics, they often attract a significant cult following. After all, who doesn’t want to laugh? However, it is impossible to release the same comedy film every year, and expect that people will get excited. That is why, even comedy directors, have to try something new. 

For example, many have tried to fuse the fast-paced and action-packed world of gambling with comedy. Some have succeeded, and others not so much. One noteworthy example of success is The Hangover trilogy, which features three friends who get blackout drunk in various gambling hotspots around the world, and end up losing lost in a strange environment, forgetting what they’ve done. As they piece the puzzle back together, gambling always becomes an important element. 

While The Hangover doesn’t focus solely on gambling, it does play a big role. But, what if you are looking for a comedy film where gambling is the main focus? In 2017, Jake Johnson’s Win It All, released on Netflix. The American comedian’s attempt at a pseudo-biographical story is equal parts dramatic, as it is funny. The plot revolves around a poker player (Jake Johnson), who simply can’t help but get into trouble. After losing a bag-full of cash, Eddie must win it all back. Tense, dramatic, and exceptionally funny, Win It All is a great weekend watch.

Casinos in Sit Coms

Situation comedies have dominated the airwaves since the days of radio. Sam ‘n’ Henry was a radio program that aired in the 1920s. Of course, with the television becoming a lot more widely available in the 20th century, situation comedies grew all the more. Eventually, during the 90s, a “casino episode” became a staple of any sit com. Often, the joke ends up being that one of the characters wins a ton of money, but ends up losing it somehow. 

An excellent example of this would be the episode “The Gang Gets Stranded in the Woods,” from the hit show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The show is not often thought of as a sitcom, simply because it deconstructs many of the elements that make up a situational comedy show. But, for all intents and purposes, the show is just as much of a sit com as Seinfeld. In this episode, after getting stranded in the woods, two members of the gang end up in Atlantic City. There, they win a ton of cash on roulette, and proceed to spend it all superfluously, emboldening their irresponsible nature. 

Another example would be the How I Met Your Mother episode titled “The Bro Mitzvah.” In it, Barney Stinson, the resident playboy, is getting his bachelor party. After the party goes wrong, Barney ends up in debt, caused by playing a strange casino game, which none of the characters understand. However, at the end, it turns out that it was all a ploy to give Barney the best party of his life.

 

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