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From entire planets dedicated to the casino lifestyle to slightly shadier gambling dens, the Star Wars universe is full of places fit for any gambler. Many an iconic gambling scene has struck the imagination of moviegoers over the years. But these casino sequences are not just for show, as they also serve as potent narrative tools to progress the story and support characters’ journeys. Let’s explore how.
A narrative device in service of character development
There is something exciting about staking it all out on a whim at the casino table. Such unpredictability is what makes games like poker or roulette so captivating in real life. But only the most cunning of players can take that leap of faith. Only hot-headed adventurers like Han Solo, that is.
In what is perhaps the most legendary gambling scene in cinema history, the most daring smuggler in the galaxy snatches the Millennium Falcon from gambler extraordinaire Lando Calrissian in a winner-take-all game of space poker. Everything the audience needs to know about Han, a shrewd risk-taker unafraid to face any challenge with a confident grin and a cynical comeback on his lips, is laid out in that one scene. This sabbac game left such an enduring impression on generations of fans that the Solo movie spin-off fleshed it out even more.
Other gambling sequences were much less well-received before gradually growing on audiences. Making up a significant chunk of The Last Jedi, the casino storyline on Cantonica was long deemed a waste of screen time by vocal fans. As divisive as it remains, this plot point is a defining moment for the character of Finn. Before coming to Canto Bight, the ex-stormtrooper was only in for Rey and his own quest for freedom. It isn’t until he sees the rampant corruption on that casino planet that he finally commits to the cause, finally becoming the rebel he is meant to be.
A clever tool for world-building and exposition
The Star Wars lore is so vast and far-reaching that countless comics, TV shows, and novels have continuously expanded upon it ever since A New Hope hit the silver screen. Gambling is one way to make that sprawling intergalactic universe feel alive and ever-so-relatable for audiences. Games such as pazaak and sabbac bear a strong resemblance to blackjack and poker, allowing viewers or readers to follow the flow of the story much more smoothly as they understand the rules at play.
Casino sequences also carry a symbolic weight that tells more about the Star Wars galaxy than meets the eye. In The Last Jedi, the scenes on Canto Bight develop the population’s ambivalent attitudes toward the Rebellion and the Republic. The casino-goers arguably represent the indifferent few, while the children that Rose and Finn meet along the way are the tangible faces of the innocent masses oppressed by the First Order.
Similarly, the fateful pod race bet that secures the freeing of a young Anakin Skywalker in The Phantom Menace further establishes Tattooine as a desolate outer rim planet where lawlessness is rife and slavery a tool of control for unsavory characters like Jabba the Hutt.
Star Wars and gambling: a match that works both ways
Gambling has always been part of the Star Wars on-screen experience. It was only fair that developers and studios would take the cue and integrate immersive gambling options into their games, such as the galactic minigame of pazaak introduced in The Knights of the Old Republic.
The iGaming industry drew massive inspiration from the Star Wars saga, too. Disney arguably jammed up the machine by phasing out most themed slots and games after taking over the franchise. Still, some websites boast a few pokies taking the Star Wars universe in rather unexpected directions.
Avid fans may also log onto online casinos to play it like Han and Lando at a virtual poker table. To kickstart their digital journey, they can browse hundreds of casino offers carefully handpicked and vetted by expert gamers. From free spins to no-deposit bonuses, each promotion is broken down into pros and cons to help players make more informed decisions. Additionally, users can access detailed beginner’s guides to understand the basics before registering with a casino online.
Star Wars has a storied history of depicting gambling across various mediums. Sometimes iconic, sometimes controversial, these sequences no less serve a greater purpose in the overarching story told in the Star Wars universe.