When a casino enters the equation on a TV show, you know that things are about to get exciting. We thought it would be a great idea to list the best TV episodes featuring casinos. So, whether you want to get in the mood for gambling before heading to a casino, or you just want to watch some great episodes of shows featuring casinos, you are in the right place.
The Best TV Episodes Around Casinos
We have chosen quite a varied selection here with gritty dramas, comedies and nostalgic favorites all thrown in for some varied casino-themed TV episodes!
So, let’s jump into it with our list of the best TV episodes around casinos.
Las Vegas: Season 3, Episode 20 (“Everything Old is You Again”)
With a TV series called Las Vegas it gives a little hint that casinos might be involved at some stage. Arguably the best casino/gambling-focused episode of this show is in series 3, episode 20 “Everything Old is You Again”. This episode is actually a break from the main story line, but a very fun break from it!
There is a photograph from 1962 of the Jubilee Hotel, which preceded the Montecitio, the casino which the tv show is focused on. This evokes a dream in which Danny, Mike, and the girls arrive with new boss Ed, a mobster, at the Jubilee Hotel in 1962. They take over and invent an all-in-one entertainment complex, combining gambling, casino elements, restaurants, shops and a hotel which, in the process, invents their present jobs. Whilst some of the methods they used to create this may seem outdated now, it is still a memorable TV episode about casinos.
Breaking Bad: Season 2, Episode 6 (“Peekaboo”)
Next, we have Season 2, Episode 6 of Breaking Bad, “Peekaboo”. In this gripping casino-related episode, Jessie Pinkman gets involved in a dangerous poker game, which leads to unexpected consequences. Intense and full of suspense, this episode reminds us all that the casino world can be a dark, shady and unforgiving place.
Friends: Season 5, Episode 24: (“The One in Vegas: Part 2”)
Friends is not exactly a show you associate with casinos and gambling. Indeed, Rachel, Monica Phoebe, Chandler, Ross and Joey are usually sipping a cup of joe at Central Perk coffeehouse rather than spinning the roulette wheel in a casino.
But the iconic show does have one episode where they take a memorable trip to Sin City, aptly named, “The One in Vegas”, which is a two-part episode where the gang explores the world of gambling. Of course, there is a comedic twist to the casino theme of the episode, with the classic Friends humor and many hilarious moments!
This episode is a must-watch for fans of Friends and for some lighthearted casino-themed entertainment.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Season 5, Episode 24 (“Grave Danger”)
Another legendary TV show is CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which follows a team of Las Vegas crime scene investigators who use scientific methods and evidence to solve murders. “Grave Danger” is a two-part episode and the series finale of series 5. When one of the team’s own is kidnapped and buried alive in a glass coffin, with a million-dollar ransom demanded by the assailant, the team need to kick into action. There is a webcam with their colleague which transmits the ordeal, and the team must decipher a series of cryptic clues to lead them to a casino.
Casino-themed episodes do not get more tense than this classic from CSI.
What We Do in the Shadows: Season 3, Episode 4 (“The Casino”)
What We Do in the Shadows is a fantastic comedy which follows the lives of three vampires trying to fit in in modern-day America. Created by Jemaine Clement, the show has been nominated for various awards.
The Casino episode follows the vampires as they head for a thrilling night in Atlantic City’s famous casinos. The trouble begins when the housekeeper at the hotel hoovers the native soil which the three vampires need to sleep in. The trusty Guillermo scrambles to find them new soil, but the vampires are slowly losing their powers, and their mental faculties. They move around the casino, looking like three amusing drunkards.
It might not have been a bad idea for the vampires to have stayed at home to get their casino thrill with all the online casino sites available. The online gambling industry has evolved rapidly, offering players a digital alternative that’s just as exciting as a night out on the town. From realistic live dealer tables to themed slot games and jackpot tournaments, the experience has grown more immersive and accessible than ever. What’s more, many of these platforms compete by offering some of the latest casino bonuses — including welcome packages, no-deposit offers, and free spins — which would have given the vampires plenty of chances to win without even leaving their crypt.
While it might not quite replicate the energy of an Atlantic City casino floor, online casinos certainly bring their own brand of entertainment, with the added bonus of being available anytime, anywhere.
Poker Face: Season 1, Episode 1 (“Dead Man’s Hand”)
Poker Face is a TV show which follows a casino worker who has a supernatural ability to know when people are lying. In the first episode of this fantastic TV show, Charlie uses her skills to win at poker. However, she is caught by the casino owner, Sterling Frost Jr., and then employed to use her unique talent to run his own illegal poker games.
If you are looking for a TV show which provides a realistic and gritty representation of the darker corners of the casino world, Poker Face is a great choice. The premise is that beneath all the glitz and glamour associated with casinos, darker forces are at work and effectively running the show.
Season 1, episode 1 of this series is a great introduction to a fascinating TV show. Be warned, you might just end up binging it if you start.
Nash Bridges: Season 2, Episode 15 (“Wild Card”)
Nash Bridges is a crime drama series which follows the San Francisco Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit. “Wild Card” is a casino-themed episode which is one of the best TV show representations of the adrenaline rush of the casino world. The show’s titular character goes undercover at a high-stakes poker game, and he has a case to solve.
Boardwalk Empire: Season 1, Episode 9 (“Home”)
Episode 9, season 1 of Boardwalk Empire features a pivotal poker game between the main character, Nucky Thompson, and Arnold Rothstein. This intense scene is one of the most memorable moments of the entire series, expertly encapsulating the high-stakes world of gambling and power dynamics among the mobs of the 1920s. This episode also heavily features Nucky’s casino, which is filled with lavishness.
Ready to Get Your Casino TV Episode Fix?
We hope this list has sparked your curiosity to discover for yourself why casinos often make the perfect setting for thrilling and entertaining TV!
