The operator will benefit from Stakelogic’s distinct selection of video and classic slot games that are known to players the world over. The partnership covers the market in Latvia and all Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) jurisdictions.
Energy Casino Steps Up Gaming Library with Stakelogic
Stakelogic brings along a number of solid games that are worth exploring, to wit Super Bonus Wild, Bonus Runner, Super 6 Timer, Mega Runner, and many others. The games come with a range of symbols such as cherries, oranges, grapes, bells, and 7s.
Among the slots going live are Cash Express, El Cowboy Megaways, Devil’s Trap, and a multitude of others that are designed as worthwhile experiences for players of all backgrounds.
Stakelogic sales manager Danila Dzehs has welcomed the new opportunity for the two companies, and hailed the importance of launching with a newly established operator:
It’s great that players at Energy Casino can enjoy this adrenaline-fueled experience for the first time, an experience they will want to return to time and again.
Stakelogic sales manager Danila Dzehs
Energy Casino head of casino Marcin Sobieraj was equally pleased with the opportunity and said that the casino was a place where players will discover a range of experiences, and now – Stakelogic’s electrifying slots.
Sobieraj hailed the partnership opportunity and said that Stakelogic was clearly a company that has mastered the art of classic and video slots and was now bringing that expertise to Energy Casino’s players and platform.
Stakelogic has been expanding rapidly in Europe with the company signing a content partnership with Versailles Casino in Belgium and pushing on steadily in Europe.
The company got another relevant content distribution boost last year when it managed to sign up for a partnership with EveryMatrix’s CasinoEngine platform.
Over the past century, poker has permeated pop culture, especially when it comes to motion pictures. Long before the “Poker Boom”, and even before the World Series of Poker (WSOP) was a thing, poker had already made its big screen debut.
Over the decades, poker fans have been treated to a plethora of poker movies, some good and others not so much. Some well-received poker films include the western comedy Maverick (1994), Survivor host Jeff Probst’s debut film Finder’s Fee (2001), the improv-inspired The Grand (2007), indie comedy darling Hitting the Nuts (2010), and the high-profile Hollywood flick Molly’s Game (2017).
‘Molly’s Game’ Review: The Poker-Themed Film Does Not Disappoint
Top 5 Poker Movies
All of those are among the best poker movies of all-time, and if this article was “Top 10” instead of “Top 5 Poker Movies,” chances are they’d make the final list. However, the PokerNews crew got together, along with input from social media, to determine the top five must-watch poker movies of all-time.
Note: We deliberately left off any poker documentaries, of which there are plenty of good ones including Bet Raise Fold: The Story of Online Poker (2013), All In: The Poker Movie (2009), Kid Poker (2015), and No Limit: A Search for the American Dream on the Poker Tournament Trail (2006).
Here are our top five best poker movies of all-time you must watch.
#5 – A Big Hand for the Little Lady (1966)
Four years before the WSOP was even a thing, Warner Brothers released A Big Hand for the Little Lady, also known as Big Deal at Dodge City. It may be a little old for today’s poker audience, but those who don’t mind watching a classic are sure to have fun.
The film has a 7.3 out of 10 rating on IMDB, as well as an 86% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film, written by Sidney Carroll and directed by Fielder Cook, is a comedy western in which a man named Meredith, played by Henry Fonda, is traveling with his wife, played by Joanne Woodward, and children when he finds himself in a high-stakes poker game. He finds himself in over his head and his wife has to step in, though all may not be as it seems.
Is A Big Hand for the Little Lady realistic?
Billed as “the wildest poker game in the west,” the poker featured in A Big Hand for the Little Lady is realistic in that it portrays several common poker motifs such as degeneracy, high stakes, and the con. The “big hand” that results in a massive pot of $20,500 – remember it takes place in 1880, so that’d be equivalent to about $550,000 in today’s dollars – is a lot of fun, though today’s poker audience might take issue with the betting.
While players today are used to table stakes, there was no such thing in the old west. It was played no limit, and that’s what they meant. If you couldn’t afford to call a raise, then you were out. Simple as that. We mention that fact as it’s a bit plot point in the movie.
How can I watch A Big Hand for the Little Lady?
There are so many options to watch movies these days, so you may be wondering how to watch A Big Hand for the Little Lady. You can always try to find a copy on DVD, but in the day and age of streaming services here’s what you need to know.
Is A Big Hand for the Little Lady on Netflix?
No, A Big Hand for the Little Lady is currently not on Netflix. There are currently no plans to have the movie on Netflix.
Is A Big Hand for the Little Lady on Amazon Prime?
Yes, A Big Hand for the Little Lady is available on Amazon Prime to either rent of buy. Similarly, you can rent/buy it on both Vudu and AppleTV.
Is A Big Hand for the Little Lady on Disney+?
No, A Big Hand for the Little Lady is currently not on Disney+ and likely will never be given it’s a Warner Brothers film.
Poker Movie Review: ‘Poker Face’ Screenplay is an Incoherent Mess
#4 – Mississippi Grind (2015)
After the “Poker Boom,” a lot of lackluster poker movies were released. Players and fans were never really impressed, instead waiting for a movie that did the game justice. For many, that came in 2015 with the release of Mississippi Grind, a drama written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck and starring Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds.
The film has a 6.4 out of 10 rating on IMDB, and while its audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is 55%, it is certified fresh with a 91% on the Tomatometer.
Mississippi Grind centers on a pair of poker players, one a true degenerate and the other a bit more put together. The two wind up taking a road trip through the South seeking to win a poker fortune. It’s a drama with comedy elements, and as Rotten Tomatoes says, it’s “a road movie and addiction drama that transcends each of its well-worn genres.”
Is Mississippi Grind realistic?
Yes, Mississippi Grind is one of the more realistic poker movies out there. In fact, that’s one of its strengths. Anyone who’s played poker can seemingly relate to the characters and situations in which they find themselves. There aren’t a lot of Hollywood liberties taken, and that tends to be something the poker audience appreciates.
How can I watch Mississippi Grind?
If you’re wondering how to watch Mississippi Grind, it’s available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and several streaming options exist including it being available with an HBO Max subscription.
Is Mississippi Grind on Netflix?
No, Mississippi Grind is currently not available on Netflix, though given it’s a relatively new movie, it’s possible it could circulate into their library in the future.
Is Mississippi Grind on Amazon Prime?
Yes, Mississippi Grind is available on Amazon Prime to either rent or buy. Similarly, you can rent/buy it on both Vudu and AppleTV.
Is Mississippi Grind on Disney+?
No, Mississippi Grind is not a Disney movie, and given its more adult themes and “R” rating, it’s unlikely it’ll ever be on the streaming service.
Mississippi Grind debuts at Sundance Film Festival.
#3 – Cincinnati Kid (1965)
Not a lot of poker films are iconic, but The Cincinnati Kid certainly is. Released in 1965, the movie stars legends such as Steve McQueen, Ann-Margret, and Edward G. Robinson. The film has a lot of great moments, including one of the game’s all-time greatest lines: “You’re good, kid, but as long as I’m around, you’re only second best.”
The film has a 7.2 out of 10 rating on IMDB, and on Rotten Tomatoes it has a 78% audience score and 86% on the Tomatometer.
The Cincinnati Kid tells the classic tale of an up-and-coming young gun poker player working his way up to take on the best player in the game. There’s plenty of high-stakes drama in the movie, which is only bolstered by strong characters.
Is The Cincinnati Kid realistic?
Yes, The Cincinnati Kid is realistic for its time period. This is another classic film, so applying today’s poker standards to it might not hold water. However, if you’re willing to go with it, the movie is a helluva ride. One thing to remember is that back then no-limit hold’em wasn’t really played, while the popular game at the time was Stud. In the case of The Cincinnati Kid, it was five-card stud, which means one card down and four cards placed face up one at a time with a round of betting between each street.
How can I watch The Cincinnati Kid?
The Cincinnati Kid is available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and on several streaming services. You can watch The Cincinnati Kid with an HBO Max subscription, otherwise, you’ll need to either rent or buy.
Is The Cincinnati Kid on Netflix?
No, The Cincinnati Kid is currently not available on Netflix.
Is The Cincinnati Kid on Amazon Prime?
Yes, The Cincinnati Kid is available on Amazon Prime to either rent or buy. Similarly, you can rent/buy it on both Vudu and AppleTV.
Is The Cincinnati Kid on Disney+?
No, The Cincinnati Kid is an MGM film and unlikely to appear on Disney’s streaming service.
Stranger Things & Black Widow Star David Harbour Talks Poker & Rounders Movie
#2 – California Split (1974)
Before there was Rounders, there was California Split. The film was released the same year Johnny Moss won his last WSOP Main Event (1974), It’s a comedy-drama directed by Robert Altman, and while on its face it may seem lighthearted, California Split cuts much deeper.
Roger Ebert’s Chicago Sun-Times review explained it best: “At the end of California Split we realize that Altman has made a lot more than a comedy about gambling; he’s taken us into an American nightmare, and all the people we met along the way felt genuine and looked real.”
The film has a 7.2 out of 10 rating on IMDB, and on Rotten Tomatoes it has an 83% audience score and 87% on the Tomatometer.
California Split, which stars George Segal and Elliott Gould, features a cameo appearance by Poker Hall of Famer Amarillo Slim Preston, offers an intimate look at how things can quickly devolve when chasing that “big score.” Anyone who’s ever sat down in a poker game can relate, which is why California Split hits so close to home. Trust us, if you haven’t seen this poker movie do yourself a favor and watch it!
Is California Split realistic?
Yes, California Split offers an acutely accurate look inside the world of gambling, which of course includes various poker games. Not only that, it does an excellent job of taking you on a wild ride alongside the two main characters, Bill Denny (played by George Segal) and Charlie Waters (Elliott Gould). As a viewer, you’ll try to hold on as you experience the same ups and downs while the stakes keep getting higher!
How can I watch California Split?
California Split is available on DVD, though it is hard to find. However, you can watch California Split on several streaming services.
Is California Split on Netflix?
No, California Split is currently not available on Netflix.
Is California Split on Amazon Prime?
Yes, California Split is available on Amazon Prime and is free to watch for those with an account. California Split is also available to rent/buy on both Vudu and AppleTV.
Is California Split on Disney+?
No, California Split is from Columbia Pictures and is unlikely to appear on Disney’s streaming service.
#1 – Rounders (1998)
The best poker movie of all time is pretty clear-cut to most. Rounders was released in 1998, and while it didn’t hit big at the box office, it became a sort of cult classic five years later during the height of the “Poker Boom.” Screenwriters David Levien and Brian Koppelman were fans of poker and went to great lengths to accurately portray both the game and lifestyle. It resonates with poker players around the world to this day.
The film has a 7.3 out of 10 rating on IMDB, and on Rotten Tomatoes it has an 87% audience score and 64% on the Tomatometer.
The movie tells the story of Mike McDermott, played by Matt Damon, a reformed gambler who gets pulled back into the game due in no small part to his friend Worm, played by Edward Norton. John Malkovich, Grethchen Mol, John Turturro, and Martin Landau all played supporting roles in a well-conceived New York underground poker world.
Is Rounders realistic?
Yes, one of the primary reasons poker players love Rounders is that it’s an accurate portrayal of the game. From the characters to the action, everything in Rounders rings true.
How can I watch Rounders?
Rounders is available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and on several streaming services to either rent or buy.
Is Rounders on Netflix?
No, Rounders is currently not available on Netflix.
Is Rounders on Amazon Prime?
Yes, Rounders is available on Amazon Prime to either rent or buy. Similarly, you can rent/buy it on both Vudu and AppleTV.
Is Rounders on Disney+?
No, Rounders is a Miramax film and unlikely to appear on Disney’s streaming service. Additionally, the subject matter isn’t really something Disney would air.
Check out Rounders fun facts here!
Other Poker Movies
When PokerNews took to social media, a lot of other poker movies were mentioned by fans.
We are working on the definitive poker movie list for an upcoming article…
— PokerNews (@PokerNews)
As such, we thought it’d be worthwhile to share a list of poker films you may want to check out.
Poker Face (2022)
Smart Money (1931)
Poker King (2009)
Luna’s Game (2001)
The Card Counter (2021)
Casino Royale (2006)
Lucky You (2007)
Runner Runner (2013)
Poker Night (2014)
Shade (2003)
Gutshot Straight (2014)
Cold Deck (2015)
Five Card Stud (1968)
No Limit: A Search for the American Dream on the Poker Tournament Trail (2006)
There’s nothing new about it. Parents give kids rolls of quarters to pour into arcade machines, buying them plenty of fun and entertainment.
But when those arcade games award tokens, or kids use their arcade credits to play the claw machine to try and win prizes, does that cross the line into gambling?
Gambling is strictly regulated, with laws and age restrictions in place. So why are kids allowed to play these eerily similar games?
Should they be considered gambling, and if so, what does that mean for children?
Are Arcade Games Gambling?
Although it depends on each US state, arcade games are generally not considered to be gambling for two major reasons:
They are ‘games of skill’ where players have some control over the outcome of the game.
Arcades do not pay out cash prizes.
In the UK, there are three types of amusement arcade that are regulated by the UKGC.
The gaming machines in the arcades are categorized by things like licensing, restrictions, maximum stakes, etc. to determine if they are a form of gambling.
The games available to children at most British arcades are ranked as “category D” gambling machines, such as coin pushers and crane grabs.
Category D machines have maximum stakes of between 10p to £1 and a maximum monetary prize of £10. Non-monetary prizes can be worth more.
Despite being recognized as low-level gambling machines, it is still legal for children of all ages to use category D machines.
Similarly to the US, children are also allowed to play machines known as skill with prizes (SWPs) where a games tests a player’s “skill” to win a prize – rather than a game of chance.
SWPs are usually found outside of arcades in places like shopping malls and cinemas.
Addictive Features Similar To Slot Machines
In both countries it’s common for arcade games to pay out tokens or other items that can then be redeemed for prizes.
By keeping the value of the prize below a certain amount, it means the games can be classed as a form of entertainment or skill game instead of gambling.
But even if the prize is a small stuffed animal, the similarities these arcade machines have to adult gambling games is shocking.
Both make use of the same addictive features that keep gamblers hooked at casinos: The thrilling chance of victory, bright lights and sounds, and intermittent rewards.
Two iconic arcade games played around the world are the “coin pusher” where players try to dislodge money by adding their own coins and the “claw grab,” a game where players try to pick up prizes with a remote-controlled claw.
Both the coin pusher and the claw grab are made to feel like skill-based games, meaning that players believe it’s their skill and not luck that decides whether they win a prize.
But in reality, this isn’t the case.
According to Vox the claw grab arcade game is set up with a standardized return to player (RTP) rate, just like regular slot machines.
In other words, the game decides when you win and has nothing to do with your ability.
And when a game chooses who wins and when, the wins are unpredictable – and that’s when they become addictive.
Research Shows Arcade Games Can Lead To Problem Gambling
Although games like the claw machine are legally available to children and are classed as games of skill, there is no denying that they can be highly addictive.
And research shows that it’s this addictive nature of low level gambling games that can lead children to develop serious gambling habits as they age.
A recent 2022 survey by the UK Gambling Commission revealed that 31% of children (aged between 16-11) had spent their own money on gambling in the previous year. 22% of them had chosen to do so in arcades.
The most popular games played were the coin pusher (73%) and the claw grab (72%), both of which have been linked with problem gambling behaviors in adults.
A scientific journal that examined gambling habits in the UK and Australia revealed that 60.8% of Australian gamblers reported using coin push machines as a child, compared to 48.6% of Australian non-gamblers.
This research suggests that playing coin pusher as a child can lead to problem gambling in adulthood.
In the US, coin pushers are legal under federal law, however many states have banned them. Coin pushers may be banned but claw grab games are readily available across the country.
The current view is that the prizes available are too inexpensive for the game to be considered gambling, however, research shows that it is often the act of playing – not the value of the prize – that leads to gambling addiction.
This means that, despite the small prizes, American children may still end up addicted to low stake, low prize arcade games like the claw grab.
While this may not be a problem at first, much like drug addicts, gamblers steadily become immune to their high, which leads them to chase higher stakes to experience the same thrills.
All of this means that children who start out on the claw grab arcade game may progress to riskier forms of gambling as their addiction progresses.
The Rise Of Casino Arcades
21% of tourists that visit Las Vegas now bring their children with them. This increased demand for kids’ entertainment has led some casinos to build their own arcades.
One example comes from Bally’s – now known as the Horseshoe – which has replaced its small sportsbook with a children’s arcade.
This arcade, like a lot of others in Las Vegas, has games that are extremely similar to those found in the real casino.
While providing a means of child-friendly entertainment, arcades can also make a lot of money for the casino; in fact, a typical arcade game makes the same amount per day as a regular slot machine.
But some people find casino-based arcades uncomfortable as they believe these games in the casino environment are actively preparing children to become future gamblers, in a similar way to how branded candy cigarettes led children to become smokers.
Should Arcades Be More Tightly Regulated?
If research has proven the links between children playing arcade games and developing a gambling habit as an adult, then many people will wonder why arcades are not more tightly regulated.
In some instances, they have been.
2019 saw Britain ban under 16s from playing category D slot machines. But other games, like the coin pusher, remained legal for all ages.
This is even though the European Lotto Betting Association itself has stated that children should not have access to any gambling products, especially category D games like the coin pusher or claw grab, as they offer a gateway into more serious gambling.
The British Amusement Catering Trade Association has tried to calm fears over these games by changing its voluntary code, raising the minimum age of some category D games to 18.
As this change is voluntary arcade owners can still ignore it and many do, mainly as high energy costs have put financial pressure on arcades.
Unfortunately, many arcade owners can’t afford to pass up the extra money that children spend on category D games.
What’s more, there are fears that if the UK’s arcades become too heavily regulated then they’ll have to close. This would mean a loss of nearly 20,000 jobs and around $1 billion for the economy.
To make matters even worse, many of these arcades are in some of the country’s poorest towns, meaning their closure could have terrible consequences for the people who live there.
Instead of tighter regulation, it has been suggested in the past that arcades pay a levy to help with gambling research and treatment.
However, this has also been met with strong opposition by arcade owners, many of whom say they cannot afford to give any money away.
NHS England opened its first gambling addiction clinic for children in 2019, following a rise in numbers of children with gambling problems.
In the US, there has been a large increase in the number of high schoolers gambling since the legalization of sports betting, with an alarming 6% reported as having an addiction.
Helplines, self-help groups, and special counseling sessions have all been created to provide ways for children and their families to deal with gambling addiction but the percentage of high schoolers becoming addicted to gambling has continued to rise.
So where does the responsibility lie?
Everyone, from arcade owners and casinos to parents and schools, has a role to play in mitigating addiction.
Arcades should be fun, but it’s clear they cross the blurred line into gambling, so should be treated with caution by everyone to ensure children stay safe.
UFC boss Dana White unveiled his newest brainchild Wednesday, a no-holds-barred slap fighting league called “Power Slap.”
The neolithic display of aggression and brutality positions two men on opposite ends of a stand. The competitors take turns slapping each other in the face while the slap-ee holds their hands behind their back until a winner is eventually decided. There are three rounds of slaps, and matches can be determined by scoring, KO, TKO, or disqualification.
it’s “insanely entertaining” and is here to stay
Unsurprisingly, many health experts – and advocates of not getting slapped in the face – have taken issue with the league. But White, already a mainstay in Las Vegas because of his MMA fighting business, says it’s “insanely entertaining” and is here to stay.
Quick opposition
Power Slap made its debut one week later than originally expected due to the controversy involving White, who was caught on camera slapping his wife during a New Year’s Eve event in Cabo San Lucas.
White has not been reprimanded for his actions and feels that the criticism he’s received has been punishment enough.
Although White may escape his controversy relatively unscathed, a leading neuroscientist believes that the punishment that White’s new slap fighters are taking is too much.
Chris Nowinski, a former WWE wrestler and founder of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, commented on a clip from Power Slap’s debut.
“This is so sad,” Nowinski tweeted. “Note the fencing posture with the first brain injury. He may never be the same. @danawhite & @TBSNetwork should be ashamed. Pure exploitation. What’s next, ‘Who can survive a stabbing’?”
Fencing posture is the body’s response to suffering traumatic brain injuries like concussions. The arms extend unnaturally from the body and flex for a few seconds until the immediate impact wears off.
White has reassured skeptics that safety measures are taken seriously.
us getting involved guarantees [slap fighting] will get much safer”
“I know there are a lot of concerns about health and safety,” White said last November. “But us getting involved guarantees [slap fighting] will get much safer.”
Fighters are prevented from striking opponents in the temple, orbit, nose, ear, or larynx, and officials are positioned by competitors to catch them if they fall. That being said, there is still grave concern over the defenselessness of the fighters and the glaring opportunity for brain injuries.
Troubling precedent
Slap fighting first went viral on social media a few years ago at an eastern European event. 375-pound Vasiliy “Dumpling” Khamotiskiy was one of the early heroes for his raw power and menacing nature.
Khamotiskiy took off-kilter fighting to different extremes, even going so far as to fight another man inside a phone booth on top of a frozen lake.
Unfortunately, the online sensation took a turn for the worse later in 2021. Polish bodybuilder-turned-slap fighter Artur “Waluś“ Walczak suffered cerebral hemorrhaging, or a brain bleed, during a fight in which he was knocked down four times. He was taken to a hospital, placed in a medical coma, and eventually died from multi-organ failure.
Polish authorities launched an investigation into the safety of the event after his death. The event, known as Punchdown, also released the following statement after Walczak was taken to the hospital:
“The competitor [Walczak] remained aware, but the disturbing neurological symptoms observed by the rescuers prompted them to call the ambulance service.”
You will make sure no one dies?”
In light of the harrowing precedent, Nevada State Athletic Commissioner Stephen Cloobeck made officials answer one simple question when discussing the league last November: “You will make sure no one dies?”
White says that he has been researching the sport since 2017. He also responded to critics by saying that his fighters are being hit less than combatants in other sports, making it safer.
“In Slap [fighting], they take three-to-five slaps per event,” said White. “Fighters in boxing take 300-400 punches per fight. And guess what: you know what my answer to that is? If you don’t f—ing like it, don’t watch it.”
The post UFC Boss Dana White Heavily Criticized for New Las Vegas Slap Fighting League appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.
