Iconic Casino Moments in TV Shows
Gambling is such a large part of the human experience that most popular TV shows include at least one scene with the activity. But which TV shows have the most iconic gaming sequences? The answer might surprise you.
We think Friends, The Office, and Modern Family take the cake for iconic casino moments in TV shows, but there are several more that are noteworthy. Keep reading to discover all the best iconic casino moments in TV shows.
1. Friends – The One in Vegas
To be honest, we quote no other gambling scene more than this one. There is just something so funny about Phoebe’s face-off with an elderly lurker at the slot machines that we think of it every time we step foot in a Las Vegas casino! Not only that, but it features a fantasy rendition of the iconic Caesar’s casino at the turn of the century.
Of course, this two-part episode of Friends is famous for other reasons we won’t spoil here, but we just love the vibe and on-screen jokes with the Las Vegas background.
2. The Office – Casino Night
The Office is widely known as one of the best TV shows of the early 00s, and for a good reason. Not only was it one of the few “mockumentary” TV shows to make it big, but it has some of the best character development we’ve ever seen in sitcoms. Yes, we are talking about Dwight Schrute and Jim.
Anyway, this casino episode is unique because it doesn’t happen in a casino. Rather, it is a charity night—meaning all the action happens at blackjack or poker tables, no slot machines to be seen. But you simply can’t beat the hilarious banter with a gambling backdrop!
3. Modern Family – Las Vegas
While Modern Family didn’t quite reach the same level of acclaim as the first two shows on our list, we are simply in love with the Las Vegas episode. Not only does it have many hilarious moments occurring in the Mandalay Bay (an underrated hotel and casino on the strip), but this is also when young Joe discovers he loves stealing because “it makes my heart go fast.” And if you don’t think that’s the funniest thing ever, we can’t help you.
Unlike the other shows, some of this episode is actually filmed in the Mandalay Bay, and the characters are filmed sitting at a table, mainly Phil Dunphy, who loses their entire life savings while playing.
4. How I Met Your Mother – Atlantic City
How I Met Your Mother was a great show for a while, though the last few seasons floundered when the main character actors were too busy with other projects to film. Regardless, the Atlantic City episode is well remembered as an iconic casino moment on TV.
One of the few TV shows that features America’s other gambling destination, the characters head to Atlantic City to plan Marshall and Lily’s wedding. Of course, things don’t go as planned and hilarity ensues, but the episode is still one for the books.
5. Brooklyn Nine-Nine – Bad Beat
Brooklyn Nine-Nine proves that you don’t need to be in a famous gambling city to have a funny casino episode. In fact, the main characters are undercover at an illegal casino in this episode, and in doing so, Raymond Holt’s gambling addiction resurfaces.
Unfortunately, Raymond has a bad tell, something which causes him to continually lose when they attempt to play poker. Regardless, it’s fun to see these hilarious characters in a casino setting!
6. The Simpsons - $pringfield
This list of the most iconic casino moments in TV shows would not be complete without The Simpsons. While it isn’t our favorite, as one of the longest-running TV shows in history, of course, there is a casino scene.
This episode is funny because instead of heading to a US city with legal gaming, Springfield, the Simpsons’ hometown, legalizes gambling to try to make some money. Therefore, all of the casinos depicted in the show are inventions of the writer. Obviously, things go wrong—as they always do in The Simpsons, and hilarity ensues, but this episode is definitely worth a watch if you haven’t seen it!
7. The Sopranos – Chasing It
This is one of the more serious depictions of casinos in TV shows, with the display of Tony heading to a casino and losing everything, pretty badly. As many episodes on TV, Tony’s reaction is exaggerated, and many state this is an example of how not to act when you lose.
In the episode, Tony plays at the Borgata Casino, losing all his money when he bets it all on a single number. The Borgata Casino is real; it’s located in Atlantic City. However, we aren’t sure if this episode was actually filmed there or if it was just filmed in a studio.
8. Curb Your Enthusiasm – The Shrimp Incident
Curb Your Enthusiasm remains one of the most underrated sitcoms of our time, and it’s easy to see why. The jokes in this series are much more subtle than they are in Friends or other comparable shows, that being said, it still has a hilarious casino-esque scene.
What we are referring to is the aspects of the episode that happen around a poker table, even though it is a house game. Still, it’s hilarious and includes many aspects of gambling that you would find at a casino.
Still, this episode is centered around another topic; the casino aspect is just a bonus, which is why it isn’t higher on the list.
Overall, gambling and casinos are a popular aspect in TV shows, but as you can see, most are not authentic in any way, so definitely don’t watch these with the expectation that you will learn about gambling in a casino. But, if you are bored and want a few laughs, you’ll definitely enjoy these casino episodes of popular TV shows.
