Netflix is known to be a go-to place for a wide variety of content. You can find everything from original series to blockbuster films on the streaming platform. Among these, gambling-themed shows, movies, and documentaries have gained notable popularity in the past years. From psychological dramas that dive deep into the world of high stakes to thrilling documentaries that expose the gritty realities of the gambling industry, Netflix has exciting content for every kind of viewer. With the ever-increasing interest in gambling culture, it’s no surprise that the streaming giant is now expanding its content reach beyond screens and into the real world of online gambling.
One of the most significant recent developments of Netflix and gambling is the debut of a licensed online slot game based on the immensely popular Korean Netflix show Squid Game. Released in October 2023 in Europe (two years after the series release), and later in August 2024, the Netflix-licensed Squid Game slot was launched across U.S. online casinos. This Netflix and gambling partnership marks the company’s first big move into monetizing its intellectual properties through real-money gambling opportunities. Developed in collaboration with Light & Wonder, the Squid Game slot machine features themes and gameplay elements inspired by the show’s intense survival challenges.
This series-inspired slot game represents a broader strategy for Netflix to leverage its globally recognized IPs and generate additional revenue streams. Licensing characters and themes for casino games can be profitable, tapping into a market where Netflix and gambling intersect. For Netflix, it’s not just about offering new content; it’s about turning cultural phenomena like Squid Game into experiences that transcend the platform. Given the massive success of the show and the strong fanbase it attracted, this move into the casino space signals the potential for more future Netflix-themed slots or other gambling-related products. By exploring such opportunities, Netflix has positioned itself to cash in on the convergence between digital entertainment and real-world betting environments, opening up possibilities for future licensing deals.
Regarding traditional Netflix gambling content, the streaming giant is set to release a highly anticipated movie called The Ballad of a Small Player, slated to premiere later this year. Starring superstars like Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton. This film is based on Lawrence Osborne’s novel of the same name. It centers around the story of a British lawyer who gambles away his fortune in Macau’s high-stakes casinos. Directed by Edward Berger, it’s a crime-drama portrayal of addiction, desperation, and the allure of gambling in one of the world’s most extravagant destinations. The film has already generated significant buzz, and fans of high-tension dramas and casino-centric narratives eagerly await its arrival on Netflix. This marks another instance of Netflix and gambling, blending the thrill of the game with a deep exploration of character-driven storytelling.
Netflix is no stranger to gambling documentaries and movies. Today, their library features a selection of documentaries and series that shine a spotlight on the complexities and dark underbelly of the gambling industry. One such title is Dirty Money, which delves into the corruption and deceit inherent in various industries, including gambling. The episode “The Maple Syrup Heist” mainly examines gambling connections and financial scams. This docuseries is an excellent example of how Netflix uses real-life stories to dissect the blurred lines between legitimate business and illegal activities.
In documentaries purely focused on gambling, titles like Inside the Edge: A Professional Blackjack Adventure offer viewers a deep dive into the strategies and psychology of professional gamblers. The documentary follows a card counter as he navigates casinos across the U.S., showcasing the intricate methods used to beat the house and win big. Similarly, The Best of It focuses on the lives of professional sports bettors, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the high-stakes world of sports betting. These documentaries serve as educational pieces and cautionary tales, reflecting Netflix’s commitment to providing content that entertains and informs viewers about the complexities of gambling culture.
Another standout series is The Last Dance, which, while primarily focused on Michael Jordan’s career, touches on his gambling habits and the controversies surrounding them. While not exclusively a Netflix gambling documentary, it’s an example of how Netflix incorporates gambling-related narratives within broader stories.
One of the more unusual but fascinating gambling documentaries on Netflix is Betting on Zero. This film, directed by Ted Braun, dives into the financial and ethical turmoil surrounding the Herbalife scandal. While its main focus is on the company’s alleged pyramid scheme, the documentary covers a high-stakes financial bet between hedge fund manager Bill Ackman and the company itself. Ackman famously shorted $1 billion worth of Herbalife stock, effectively betting on its collapse. This controversial financial strategy reveals the crossover between high-risk investing and gambling, showing how the line between the two can blur in real-world situations. The film provides an interesting perspective for viewers intrigued by the interplay of corporate greed and high-risk financial moves. It’s another example of how Netflix’s gambling-related content spans multiple domains, extending beyond casinos and poker tables to include economic deception and its impact on people’s lives.
In gambling documentaries, Netflix’s 21: The Real Story Behind the Classic Gambling Film is a compelling retelling of the infamous MIT Blackjack Team. While many people are familiar with the dramatized version of this story through the Hollywood film 21, this Blackjack documentary digs deeper into the actual events and strategies used by the real-life team of students who exploited the weaknesses of major casinos in the 1990s. The documentary explains how the team used card-counting techniques to win millions at blackjack tables. Viewers gain an insight into how this group revolutionized gambling strategy and challenged the casino industry’s ability to maintain an edge over players. The story is an enthralling mix of intellectual rigor and audacious risk-taking, drawing in anyone fascinated by the analytical side of gambling and the cat-and-mouse dynamics between professional gamblers and casino enforcers.
Then it goes without saying that you’ll find many other documentaries, movies, and tv shows that Netflix have purchased the streaming rights for: Casino Royale, Molly’s Game, Uncut Gems, Mississippi Grind, The Gambler, and Win it All that follows small time gambler Eddie Garrett (portrayed by actor Jake Johnson).
Through its diverse catalogue, Netflix caters to those fascinated by the entertainment and the intrinsic realities of gambling. Whether through licensed offshoots from intense drama thrillers like Squid Game, upcoming cinematic releases like The Ballad of a Small Player, or hard-hitting documentaries, the platform offers a wide array of content that digs deep into the allure and pitfalls of gambling. This collection of narratives spans fiction and reality, reflecting the various dimensions of gambling culture. It illustrates how Netflix and gambling continue to adapt and expand its offerings to meet the evolving interests of its global audience.
