Why do Asian films glorify gambling so much?
Asians are among the world’s biggest gamblers. Gambling is a normal aspect of life among many Asians. In fact, they consider gambling an acceptable component of their culture.
The strong bond between Asians and gambling is partly attributable to their deep belief in fate, luck, and fortune. Besides promoting gambling, deep cultural factors also discourage finding help when the habit becomes obsessive or addictive.
Asians’ love for gambling is felt not only in Asia, but also in other parts of the world. According to research, Asians in the United States have a disproportionate number of addicted or compulsive gamblers as compared to the general American population.
Dr. Timothy Fong, a psychiatry professor at UCLA, points out that the rate of gambling addiction lies between 6 and 60 percent, depending on the particular Asian ethnicity. To put things into perspective, the U.S. national rate of gambling addiction is 1 to 2%.
Some U.S. casinos and other sports betting sbobet sites have even taken advantage of Asian’s love for gambling. They market aggressively to Asians by offering free transportation, Asian food, and Asian entertainers. Some gaming companies even have card dealers that speak Asian languages.
At some casinos, such as the Los Angeles-based Commerce Casino, Asians make up at least 80% of the clientele. Likewise, the Connecticut-based Foxwoods Casino has one of its sites written in both Vietnamese and Chinese.
The fact that Asians have accepted gambling as part of their socialization may explain why Asian films glorify gambling so much. Virtually all top-grossing Asian movies have a gambling theme. The films are usually about gambling, but they feature several sub-plots involving family ties, gangsters, and other aspects of life.
Here are some of the most popular gambling-themed Asian movies:
Casino Raiders
This classic movie involves two professional gamblers, Sam Law and Crab Chan. Their life revolves around traveling and gambling. In the second half of the film, we get to learn about their dark and ominous side, especially their criminal activities. Casino Raiders is one of the most detailed stories in this film genre.
God of Gamblers
This 1989 film is about Chow Yun-fat, a professional gambler whose life is all about traveling and gambling. His biggest ambition is to become rich.
Sadly, he loses his memory. The film integrates drama and comedy, making you laugh while at the same time stirring your empathy.
From Vegas to Macau
This 2014 comic film is about miserable gamblers with a desire to win big money. It is not all comedy, however. The scenes also feature family ties and gangster life. The film has a sequel, released in 2015.
Tazza: The High Rollers
This Korean film is popular for its deep and fascinating story. Adapted from the comic book Taija, this film is about a gambler who seeks to recover what his family lost thanks to his gambling habits.
There are numerous other Asian films with gambling themes. While most gambling films focus on the lives of gamblers, some cover a variety of gambling-related topics, including hustling and rivalry. Some movies also involve comedy and drama.
