Once a niche interest, online gambling has grown in leaps and bounds over the past two decades to become a multi-billion-dollar industry with millions of fans. As online casinos like Betway gain mainstream acceptance, experts have noted worlds merging between online casino culture and entertainment. Let’s look at how the two industries interact and how they impact each other.
Pop-culture-themed casino games
It’s not just the online gambling industry that has changed. Once a collection of fruit motifs, bars, and sevens, online slots have evolved into immersive experiences covering various themes. Some of these themes are born out of the influence of entertainment on online gambling. In top online casino sites like Betway, you’ll have no trouble finding slots and casino games that pay homage to famous pop culture artists, musicians, and films, such as:
- Michael Jackson: King of Pop
- Jimi Hendrix slot
- Elvis: The King Lives
- Guns n’ Roses slot
- Star Wars
- Game of Thrones
These games stand as a nod to some of the most iconic stars and pieces of art of the century, combining the music and moviescapes you love with the fun-packed action of casino gaming.
Casino-inspired movies
The poker table and roulette wheels are not strangers to the film world. In an unsurprising and highly successful twist, gambling culture has influenced how moviemakers represent fun, risk, and thrill, with many directors falling back on casino scenes for intrigue. The image of smoky rooms, red velvet, beautiful women, dice, cards, and cigars is hard to replace, and its influence is evident in movies like Casino Royale, Ocean’s Eleven, 21, and Molly’s Game.
Celebrity endorsements
But lest you think this relationship is one way, it is not. Online gambling has received much traffic and mainstream support thanks to movies and celebrities depicting it as a fun and nuanced world full of exciting games, bonuses, and social interaction.
Some celebrity endorsements that have raised online gambling’s profile include Cristiano Ronaldo with PokerStars, Lionel Messi with BC. Game, and Kevin Hart with DraftKings.
Esports sponsorships
On the other side, online casinos have been quick to jump on the esports wagon, with lucrative sponsorships like GG Bet with NAVI, DraftKings with FaZe Clan, and Betway with Ninjas in Pyjamas.
These sponsorship deals put online casinos like Betway in the front seat of what promises to be a large and lucrative industry. This year, esports tournaments surpassed 500 million hits in viewership. The release of movies like Gran Turismo in 2023 indicates the growing relationship between online gaming, entertainment, and betting cultures.
Traditional sports and sports betting
Traditional sports have long been the hallmark of entertainment. Every Thursday and Sunday, millions of people sit in stadiums and in front of their TV sets to enjoy a football game, even as millions of other people elsewhere catch up with tennis, basketball, soccer, and golf.
With more jurisdictions legalizing sports betting, traditional sports have merged with wagering to deliver more involved experiences. You don’t just watch a game anymore; you also bet on the players, half-time and full-time scores, injuries, and more. It’s a much more exciting experience for sports fans.
Wrapping up
Any time two industries merge, the results are often exciting and revolutionary. The coalition between gambling and entertainment has been one such merger. Celebrities and other entertainment assets contribute to the mainstreaming of casino culture, even as online casinos borrow from pop culture to deliver more immersive and exciting gaming experiences. Whether one is borrowing from the other or vice versa, it remains a thrilling time for both industries.
