How Casinos are Portrayed in Sci-Fi Universes

Sci-fi as an entertainment genre specialises in distancing its audience from the real world, while stealthily approaching topics and themes that directly address what is going on in contemporary society. So it’s no surprise that online casinos of all shapes and sizes have featured in many sci-fi movies and TV series through the years.

Of course, a casino that appears in any sci-fi realm won’t be exactly like the ones found in our world; viewers would be disappointed at the lack of imagination shown in a given scene or episode. Let’s see how the sci-fi world has given some of the most fascinating depictions of casinos and casino games in media.

Star Wars – The Game of Sabacc

What really gets the juices of any avid sci-fi fan flowing is a game being created completely from scratch, which then becomes an integral part of the sci-fi world they love – and soon enough the real world, in some cases. One example is the card game Sabacc, which appears in multiple iterations of Star Wars.

Perhaps the most famous game of Sabacc ever played is the one between Han Solo and Lando Calrissian, in which Solo wins the Millennium Falcon. Before the critical hand begins Solo wagers a precious vial of Coaxium in a bid to win the iconic spaceship, much in the same way that a player would make a wager in Blackjack or Baccarat.

Star Trek – Quark Hosts Casino Games

Although it was classic and futuristic versions of chess and poker which usually held sway in Star Trek, there were casino elements scattered throughout as well. These tended to take place in Quark’s, an entertainment establishment that featured regularly on episodes of Deep Space Nine. Casino gameplay was also allowed to take place within the Ferengi Alliance, which had its own gaming commission, just as many jurisdictions here on Planet Earth do.

Hunger Games – Wagers Integral to the Plot

This movie was a sensation when it was released all the way back in 2012 and launched Jennifer Lawrence’s career to stratospheric new heights. Part of the appeal of the titular games within the world of the film was the betting aspect that existed, as people were able to back the players they believed would survive the longest. There was even a character in the movies called Woof Casino!

X-Men – Casino Scene Sees Gambit Meet Wolverine

One of the hallmark scenes in this X-Men movie occurs when Wolverine tracks down Gambit at a casino where the latter is acting as a live dealer. Of course, Gambit’s ability to deal cards went way beyond what is required of a normal live dealer, making him someone that was not to be messed with at a casino table or in a scrap!

Battlestar Galactica – Triad

Star Wars has Sabacc and Battlestar Galactica has Triad, a card game whose cards have a hexagonal shape. Although the rules of the game were never thoroughly explained in the show, fans of the series can buy Triad cards online. Then it is up to them which casino game they think fits the cards best.