Bollywood has always had a fascination with gamblers and casinos, as it’s the place where fortunes can turn quickly, and gives the directors an opportunity to add twists to the story.

Most Bollywood thriller movies have scenes around casinos & themes around gambling.

Casinos in Bollywood

There are several Indian movies which had casinos playing an important part in the narratives and scripts. Here are some of the prominent movies which were shot in/around casinos:

Where Were They Shot?

Most of these have been shot at prominent locations (known for Gambling/Casinos).

So what about our Superstars? Do you think they’re heavily into gambling?

No way! Well, they do indulge in a few rounds once in a while, like any of us, if they’re shooting at locations such as Las Vegas or Macau.

Gambling & Mythology / Culture

Gambling is definitely among the oldest forms of entertainment and leisure known to mankind. They’ve also played a major role in the formation of nations and have been the cause of several battles around the world.

Several instances from mythology and popular folklore of cultures around the world suggest that gambling did play a major role in the lives of people.

Here’s how gambling is perceived in various parts of the world:

Gambling in India
It’s definitely considered a vice in India (especially among the financially weaker sections) but occasionally (even during Diwali) many indulge in it. In the Mahabharata (greatest epics of the Hindu religion) the Kauravas and the Pandavas take part in a game of dice, where the Pandavas lose everything, their kingdom, their right to rule and are sent to exile.

It’s seen as a turning point in the story and is one of the reasons why the Kauravas and the Pandavas go to war (that lasts for 18-days).

The Greek Perspective
Unlike India, they don’t perceive it as a vice, but more of a fun activity, and in ancient Greece it was an important form of entertainment.

It is believed that people indulged in betting during the ancient Olympics as well.

Roman Perspective
It’s not much different from the Greeks, in fact in ancient time it was sort of a national pastime with the rulers in the Roman Empire seeing it as a major social problem.

If you’ve seen the Oscar-winning movie “Gladiator”, you’ll get the perspective.

Gambling in the Americas
The Mayans and Aztecs of America also practiced gambling on quite a large scale, and was never seen as a vice.

Gambling was a tool to attract the mob and to gain profits for the high priests of the Society.

Current Scenario

Today Gambling is a multi-billion dollar industry, usually provided as a gambling/leisure & holiday package.

It’s also possible to play them online with several casino sites available for those who don’t want to leave their homes.

So What Makes a Great Casino?

There are several factors that are involved, such as:

Worlds Best Casinos

Forbes had recently listed the best Casinos around the world. Here are they:

St. James Club, Antigua

Atlantis resort, Bahamas

Bellagio, Las Vegas

The Borgata Hotel, Casino & spa, Atlantic city, N.J.

The Clermont Club, London

Casino de Monte Carlo, Monaco

Baden-Baden, Baden-Baden, Germany

Casino Metropol, Moscow

Sun City, South Africa

Mandarin Oriental, Macau

Here are some more great options:

Read the full story here…

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What is Poker?

Poker has exploded across the internet over the last decade. Facebook’s Zynga poker, played with virtual chips, is one very popular social poker website. With the popularity of smartphone apps, the game made the jump onto mobile platforms, allowing players to play from anywhere.

Poker is a game of skill, although it involves some amount of luck too. Most youngsters are also now familiar with the rules. With proper practice of analyzing risk and playing, people who play online make the jump into playing in the real world.

Poker is not Gambling
Lot of people in India now don’t see Poker a Gambling.

The first online gaming license (paywall) awarded in India was issued by the state of Sikkim, for online lottery, back in November 2014.

The tiny state of Nagaland in North East India recently become the first gambling jurisdiction in India to award a license to an online poker operator.

The Indian poker industry today is busy promoting online poker as a game of skill (and different from gambling.)

Casinos, Gambling & Poker Cities in India

Contrary to the general perception, India has few cities with gambling facilities. The more common type of gambling available in India are ‘casinos’; and most of them are located in Goa.

Casinos and poker rooms available in various cities of India:

Goa

India’s casino capital with three off-shore, live casinos housed in yachts, and several onshore.

• The largest gambling city in India is Salcette.
• The largest casino in the entire country of India is Winners Casino and Hacienda de ora which is located in Altomonte Margao
• Deltin Royale is more popular among players of western games.
• Casino Pride attracts high rollers of Teen Patti.

Sikkim

• Gangtok’s Casino Mahjong, an onshore casino is part of the palatial Mayfair Spa Resort and Casino.

Bangalore

• IPA’s (Indian Poker Association ) poker room in YMIA Club
• Golden Aces’ Poker Room
• Rockets poker room in Sehadripuram
• •  

Kolkata

• Amator Poker Room. IPA plans to start a poker room in Kolkata in a few months.

Poker Leagues in India

Poker is a popular mind sport (its not gambling), played around the world, and is gradually becoming popular in India as well. The game is played with cards, and while it has an element of luck, a lot also depends on skill, mathematics, probability and your decision making.

Poker fans are hopeful that the game will someday be recognized by the International Mind Sports association, which will put it it alongside other mind-games like Chess, Bridge and Draughts.

Its raining leagues in India, there’s one for all kind of sports (or are on the verge of being launched).

So why not have one where the mind is at play?

Well, that’s why a poker league is being planned in India, which is sure to excite serious as well as amateur poker players and corporates in India.

Poker leagues are all set to begin in India offering attractive prize money.

Poker Sports League (PSL) is one such league that will provide poker players in India an opportunity to celebrate their love for the game, as well as hone their poker skills.

“There is a poker boom around the world and the Indian poker community is looking for a better tournament experience. With this league, the poker community will be exposed to international standards of poker.”

Guitar Gods and Rock Legends Catch the Poker Bug

Poker has long been a recurring theme in music. Whether you’re into country or heavy metal, there’s a poker song out there for you, and chances are you already know which ones we’re talking about. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that rock stars like Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, Dave Navarro of Jane’s Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers fame, and hard rock legend Slash have caught the poker bug.

Ian, in particular, has been pretty serious about his secondary career of poker tournament regular. Most celebrities that show up for the World Series of Poker are usually there for a one-day appearance on the celebrity table. The thrash metal god, however, has turned WSOP tournaments into one of his regular haunts. He even made sure to show up and play at the 2009 WSOP Main Event in the middle of one of Anthrax’s hectic tours. That’s not to say that Ian will be trading his guitar for a stack of poker chips anytime soon, of course, but his poker skills could make for a good fall back once he retires.

Speaking of guitars, the poker boom that Chris Moneymaker’s fairy tale WSOP Main Event win kicked off in 2003 has also led to a small rise in poker-themed guitars like Gibson’s Vegas Standard and High Roller guitars. These poker-themed flat top semi-hollowbodies featured 60s slim-taper necks, ’57 Classic pickups, rosewood fingerboards, and gold frets. Design-wise, that’s still pretty tame compared to one of Texas Guitars custom jobs, though. Not only does the custom guitar sport a Texas Hold’em Poker motif for its paint job, the guitar’s body itself is shaped like the state of Texas.

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