The Rise in Popularity of Online Casinos in Asia After 'The Royal Gambler' Came Out

Asia has witnessed a spike in the number of casino players. Take the example of Vietnam - the country has a projected CAGR of 9% in the next five-year period, resulting in gaming revenue of up to $10 million. And with more people signing up on casino online Vietnam sites, these figures will only increase. But Vietnam is just one example of the evident casino interest in Asia. Other countries have followed suit due to the easy access to casino games, bonuses, and low buy-ins. Interestingly, TV shows, like "The Royal Gambler" have also influenced this interest, as we will explain in this guide:

What is "The Royal Gambler"?

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South Korean dramas have been exciting audiences from across the globe. But few have come close to the ratings of "The Royal Gambler", a historical drama that aired back in 2016.

The story starts by focusing on Lord Yi In-wa (Jun Kwang-ryul), the main villain. He sends a woman, Sook-bin (Yoon Jin-seo), to seduce King Sukjong (Choi Min-soo) as part of his strategy to get the power of the monarchy. Unbeknownst to King Sukjong, Sook-bin is married and pregnant when she comes to him. (Her husband is a gambling addict who loses her in a bet.)

Sook-bin soon becomes the king's official concubine. However, when she gives birth to her son sooner than expected, she has to think fast on her feet to avoid getting into trouble. After all, there are rumors that her son could not possibly be the king's due to the timing. Sook-bin decides to leave the baby with her ex, Baek Man-geum (Lee Moon-sik), and stops communicating with Yi In-wa to save her baby. To convince the king, she switches her actual baby with a dead child to make it seem as if the child died in labor. She remains with the king and has two other boys.

Her son, Baek Dae-gil (Jang Keun-suk), grows up in Baek's care and starts learning his gambling tricks. His quiet life is short-lived as Yi In-wa soon learns of his existence and decides to set his initial plan in motion to overpower the king.

Baek Dae-gil realizes he has little power in the situation and decides to better his position to avoid an untimely death like his father's. He thus becomes friends with the king's son, Prince Yeoning (Yeo Jin-goo), not knowing that this is his half-brother. Additionally, he works with a swordsman to increase his physical strength so he can return and challenge his enemy. Since Yi In-wa is a gambling lord, Baek Dae-gil first attacks the gambling houses in the country. Here, he hurts the people who have been helping his nemesis.

However, Yi In-wa is not one to be caught off-guard. The story follows the half-brothers as they get deeper into gambling, culminating in a showdown where Dae-gil bets his life.

Overall, the show wins on the following grounds:

• It has a fantastic plot with unexpected twists and turns that capture your attention throughout the story,
• The plot has minor gaps, which makes it easy to believe, as most people will barely notice the hiccups,
• The cast is incredible and portrays the characters perfectly,
• The episodes are varied enough to ensure people don't get bored, and
• The historical accuracy is excellent.

As such, it's easy to binge on this show, regardless of whether you want the hero or villain to win.

What Gambling Lessons Did People Get from this Show?

In every gambling show, people learn lessons from the stars. So, what fundamental principles have influenced how the audience approaches casino games?

1. Rational thinking

The show's plot focuses on intense emotions, including anger and revenge. The audience sees how such feelings can cloud people's judgment, e.g., Yi In-wa's obsession with the monarchy. Another good example is how Prince Yeoning uses gambling to elevate his self-esteem, as many people look down on him as his mother is a commoner. Their negative motivations often push them to make irrational decisions.

On the same note, they see how Dae-gil maintains his composure despite resenting his situation. This calm exterior helps him overcome even the most challenging gambling situations. From this, players can learn that balancing their emotions is the key to a favorable outcome.

2. Practice

Dae-gil did not become a great gambler overnight. Before he was betting his life against the entire Joseon Kingdom, he lived a life with Baek Man-geum, a gambling addict who taught him how to play. He later used his skills to challenge even better players, including his half-brother Prince Yeoning. Anyone who wants to excel in gaming must follow a similar approach by dedicating enough time to understanding the game.

3. Limits

In all things, people must practice moderation. Look at Baek Man-geum, who is Sook-bin's husband. His love for gambling supersedes his self-control, which leads him to make a bet in which he loses his wife. Players get to see how this addiction unravels and destroys a man who could have had a better life if he had been moderate in his approach. They can thus choose a different path.

It's easy to see why this show was such a hit and why it continues to attract more people to gambling by teaching them vital lessons about this lucrative industry.

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"The Royal Gambler" is directed by Nam Geon, written by Kwon Soon-gyoo, and features Jang Keun-suk, Yeo Jin-goo, Jun Kwang-ryul, Choi Min-soo, Lim Ji-yeon, Yoon Jin-seo. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2016/03/28~2016/06/14, Mon, Tue 22:00 on SBS.