LOS ANGELES (AP) — The stakes. The famous faces. The posh private rooms. The clever cheating schemes.
The federal indictment of a big-money poker ring involving NBA figures has created a stir reminiscent of long-standing themes in movies and shows that intertwine gambling with celebrity culture. Allegedly, unsuspecting wealthy players were lured into games only to find themselves cheated out of their money.
Poker in ‘Ocean’s Eleven,’ ‘Molly’s Game’ and ‘The Sopranos’
The scandal echoes a 2004 episode of The Sopranos, featuring mobsters and celebrities in a similar high-stakes poker setting. George Clooney humorously noted, “we get blamed for everything now,” referencing how closely the scandal resembles scenarios portrayed in films.
Clooney starred in both the 2001 film Ocean’s Eleven and its sequels, highlighting poker’s role in heists and schemes. The allure of poker as a high-profile activity is reflected in Molly’s Game, where the protagonist organizes exclusive games frequented by Hollywood elites, illustrating the magnetic draw of celebrity participation.
Poker themes pervade cinema's history, from John Wayne to Steve McQueen. Modern scandals—like the ongoing investigations with the NBA—reveal the legal ambiguities surrounding private poker games, which become problematic when substantial profits are involved.
A brief history of movies making poker cool
Hollywood has long glamorized poker, creating a cultural feedback loop where fictional representations influence real-world gambling habits. From classic poker scenes in Westerns to the poker boom fueled by films like Rounders, the intersection of risk, deception, and celebrity has enchanted audiences.
As Clooney expressed regret over the scandal's timing, he alluded to a history of buzzworthy scandals in sports, suggesting that regardless of the era, gambling and celebrity intrigue remain a potent mix in America.
