Gambling has long been an integral part of American culture, combining the thrill and excitement of risk taking with the chance to win big rewards. In recent years, this pastime has become a favorite subject for TV shows ranging from lighthearted comedies to serious dramas that explore the darker sides of gambling addiction. With so many great series about gambling on television, it can be hard to choose which ones are truly worth watching. To make things easier for you, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite American-made gambling television shows from over the years! From classic sitcoms like The Odd Couple to new favorites like Billions and High Stakes Poker, these top 10 picks encompass a variety of genres – there’s something here for everyone!
High Stakes Poker (2006-)
(IMDB Rating – 9)
An American cash game poker television program. It features some of the world’s best players, including Sam Farha, Doyle Brunson, and Johnny Chan. The poker variant played on the show is no limit Texas hold ’em. High Stakes Poker has been running since 2006 and has had 8 successful seasons so far. Fans can watch their favorite players compete for millions of dollars in prize money on the show. The show features some of the top professional poker players in the world, including Sam Farha, Doyle Brunson, and Johnny Chan. Each player brings their own money to the table and can buy in for any amount they choose. The minimum buy-in for Season 8 (2021) was $100,000, while the maximum buy-in was $500,000. Season eight of High Stakes Poker aired from December 16, 2020 to March 17, 2021 on the streaming service PokerGO. It was filmed at the Aria Resort and Casino. Season nine ran from February 21 to May 23, 2022 for 14 episodes and season ten premiered on January 24, 2023.
Poker After Dark (2007-)
(IMDB Rating -7.7)
An hour-long poker television program that first aired on NBC in 2007. It features six professional poker players competing against each other in a single-table tournament or cash game. The show has featured some of the world’s best players, including Phil Hellmuth, Gus Hansen, Shawn Sheikhan, Annie Duke, Steve Zolotow, and Huck Seed. Poker After Dark can now be seen on GGPoker Channel and PokerGO. The stakes for these games can vary depending on the episode, but typically range from $20,000 to $100,000. Players have the opportunity to win large sums of money if they are able to outplay their opponents and make it to the end of the game. It has had 13 seasons so far, with the most recent one premiering on April 17th, 2023
Las Vegas (2003-2008)
(IMDB Rating -7.4)
An American comedy-drama television series created by Gary Scott Thompson and broadcast by NBC from September 22, 2003 to February 15, 2008. It follows the elite surveillance team of the Montecito Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada as they deal with card counters, costly gambles, and uncooperative guests. The show stars Josh Duhamel as Danny McCoy, James Lesure as Mike Cannon, Vanessa Marcil as Samantha Marquez, and Molly Sims as Delinda Deline. Throughout its five season run, Las Vegas was nominated for a variety of awards including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Stunt Coordination.
Luck (2011-2012)
(IMDB Rating -7.4)
An HBO series created by David Milch and starring Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Farina, John Ortiz, and Richard Kind. Set in the world of horse racing, the show follows a group of characters as they navigate their way through the highs and lows of life at the track. It premiered on January 29th, 2012 on HBO after a preview episode aired on December 11th, 2011. Luck was immediately renewed for a second season of 10 episodes but was unfortunately cancelled due to animal safety concerns. Despite its short run, the show has been praised for its unique take on the genre and its interesting characters.
King of Vegas(2006)
(IMDB Rating -7.4)
A gambling series that first aired on Spike TV in the United States on January 17, 2006. Hosted by boxing commentator Max Kellerman, the show featured 12 contestants competing in various gambling challenges for a chance to win $1 million. The show ran for 10 episodes, with Alan Borman emerging as the winner and taking home the grand prize.
Throughout the course of the show, viewers were treated to an exciting mix of poker, blackjack and other casino games. Contestants had to prove their mettle in a variety of challenges such as playing against professional gamblers or going head-to-head with each other in high stakes tournaments. In the end, it was Alan Borman who emerged victorious and won $1 million dollars after defeating his opponents in a thrilling finale.
Vegas (2012-2013)
(IMDB Rating -7.3)
Vegas is an American crime drama television series that first aired on CBS in 2012. The series stars Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis and follows the story of two rival families in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s. The show chronicles the lives of the two families—led by Vic(Dennis Quaid) and Savino (Michael Chiklis)—as they struggle to take control of Las Vegas’ lucrative casinos and their competition heats up. The 2012 season of the television series Vegas consists of 22 episodes. The show premiered on September 25, 2012 and concluded on May 10, 2013.
Breaking Vegas (2004)
(IMDB Rating -7.1)
A 2004 documentary series that follows the stories of people who have attempted to make their riches by playing games against the house. The series, which aired on the History Channel, consists of 13 episodes. The episodes include Breaking Vegas, Blackjack Man, The Gadget Gambler, The Roulette Assault, Dice Dominator, Counterfeit King, Slot Scoundrel, The Ultimate Cheat, Vegas Vixen, Beat The Wheel, Slot Buster, Professor Blackjack and Prince of Poker.
Tilt(2005)
(IMDB Rating -7)
An American television drama series that aired on ESPN from 2005 to 2006. The show was created by David Milch and starred Michael Madsen, Nick Nolte, and Christopher McDonald. The show follows a group of professional poker players as they travel across the country in search of high-stakes tournaments. It also explores the personal lives of these characters, including their relationships with family and friends. Tilt was praised for its realistic portrayal of the world of professional poker and its exploration of the moral dilemmas faced by those who gamble for a living. Despite its critical acclaim, Tilt was canceled after one season due to low ratings.Tilt aired for one season from July 2005 to January 2006, comprising eight episodes in total. The series received positive reviews from critics and was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.
The Player(2015)
(IMDB Rating – 6.9)
A 2015 American television series created by John Rogers and starring Philip Winchester, Wesley Snipes, Charity Wakefield, Damon Gupton, and Nick Wechsler. The show revolves around an elite team of security experts who prevent and investigate high-stakes crimes in Las Vegas. This sophisticated drama brings together the worlds of gambling and crime as the protagonists race against time to protect wealthy clients from nefarious criminals.
The series follows Winchester’s character Alex Kane, a former intelligence officer-turned-security consultant to the casino industry. With the help of his team, he uses his expertise to take on some of the most dangerous criminals in Las Vegas. While Alex is trying to save the world one gambler at a time, he must also confront his own personal demons in the process. The Player (2015) had a total of 8 episodes. It ran for one season from September 24, 2015 to November 5, 2015 before being canceled due to low ratings.
Vega$ (1978)
an American crime drama television series starring Robert Urich. It aired on ABC from September 20, 1978 to June 3, 1981 and was produced by Aaron Spelling. The show follows the life of Dan Tanna, a Vietnam vet who works as a private eye in Las Vegas. He lives in an apartment behind the Desert Inn and his boss is the owner of the hotel. Vega$ features exciting cases with plenty of action and suspense as Dan Tanna navigates through the seedy and glamorous sides of Las Vegas. The show ran for three seasons, with the final season premiering on November 5, 1980. Vega$ is known for its unique blend of crime drama and comedy, as well as its iconic theme song. With a total of 58 episodes over three seasons, Vega$ remains one of the most beloved shows from the era.
Conclusion
Whether you are a fan of the gambling genre or just looking for some good television, these shows will have something to offer. From documentary series that explore the world of gambling to crime dramas and comedies set in Las Vegas, there’s sure to be something for everyone. So grab some popcorn, get comfortable and enjoy the ride! Who knows, you may even pick up a thing or two about gambling along the way. Now If you are also interested in experiencing the world of Gambling? You can do it from the comfort of your own home. Casinous.com is a great resource to help you find the best and safest online casinos in the USA. You can play all your favorite casino games at these sites and have a great time!
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