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Is It Possible for Gambling Movies to Influence the Casino Industry?

There is no escape from the fact that movies and TV shows have an influence on the way we live our lives and pop culture as a whole. Simply look at season 4 of Stranger Things and how that catapulted Kate Bush back to number 1 in the charts. As such, with gambling being such a popular theme in the film industry, is it possible for the fantasy of the casino to influence the actual casino industry and gambling culture as a whole?

The Perfect Storm 

The fact of the matter is that the movie industry can influence the casino industry due to the fact they both entertain such a large variety of people. It’s very common that people will watch a movie or enjoy the best online casinos Canada have to offer and play games such as poker, blackjack and slots. There are a huge range of different games available such as GoodFishes, The New Blackjack and Perfect Pairs. The fact that they are both so widely engaged with means that you tend to see casino stereotypes from films trickle into the different games available on these websites. For instance, games with big payouts are frequented because so many films feature that kind of win.

The Chance to Win Big 

Realistically, if you are playing on slot machines and are looking to win, you should try games with smaller jackpots over larger ones as they tend to pay out more frequently. Of course, the glamour of Hollywood movies and the chance to win big can quickly cloud that judgement and as such, a lot of gamblers choose to chance their luck at the big jackpot games. This is a clear example of how gambling movies can influence gambling culture.

Beating the System (Reading Strategies) 

A lot of casino games are down to luck such as slot machines, in fact, there isn’t a single casino game out there where you don’t need a little bit of luck to win. That being said, some of the games such as poker are a convolution of both the cards you’re dealt but then also how you play with them. The strategic nature of a lot of gambling movies makes people who play these days a lot more interested in reading about the different strategies that they could use in order to try and find the one that will work most effectively for them. Of course, there is no such thing as beating the system and gamblers know that, but they enjoy giving themselves as much of an edge over the house as they possibly can.

Does Hollywood Influence Casino Culture? 

The short answer is yes. Both movies and casino games are incredibly popular, and a lot of people engage with them for entertainment purposes. As such, it’s hardly a surprise that the two industries occasionally drift into one another. This means that some of the storylines that centre around gambling such as potentially winning big and having a good strategy in place are adopted by gamblers when they are choosing what games to play and how they will go about playing them.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Gambling Sector in the UK

It comes as no surprise to know that the gambling sector, like every other sector, took a hit during the pandemic.

Where It All Started

On March 23, 2020, the UK’s Prime Minister mandated that everyone stays at home and all non-essential businesses and stores close.

Concerns And Worries

There were concerns that people would switch to greater-risk kinds of gambling online, which could eventually lead to a shift to online gambling in the long run, despite the fact that some experts acknowledged that closing land-based gambling locations would lead to a decline in some forms of gambling. There were also concerns that stress, boredom, and financial strains would encourage new gambling behavior or exacerbate problems for those who already had gambling addictions. These modifications to daily living could potentially eliminate protections against gambling harm, particularly for those who are in recovery.

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) consented to the voluntary removal of gambling commercials from radio and television beginning on May 7, 2020, for a period of six weeks, ending on at least June 5, 2020. This decision was taken so as to ensure that people who were not interested in the gambling industry would not be enticed to try it out, decreasing the number of people who might be tempted to check out the best UK online casinos for real money during a period of vulnerability and boredom.

Establishments And Their Closures

The following non-essential business locations had to close: bars, bookmakers, bingo halls, arcades, casinos, and live racing venues. This restricted access to National Lottery items and online gambling in the UK.

In March 2020, the government declared the first nationwide lockdown, which resulted in the closure of dog races as well as casinos, bingo parlors, arcades, and betting shops. Just before the lockdown began, horse racing and football games were postponed. On May 10, 2020, the government began to relax the first nationwide lockdown’s limitations. Early in June 2020, dog and horse racing resumed, followed quickly by the resumption of betting shops and football. Early July 2020 saw the reopening of bingo halls and arcades, while August 2020 saw the reopening of casinos. Despite COVID-19 limitations, online gambling was still possible.

Post-Lockdown Findings

Following the lockout, it was discovered that 0.8% of participants had kept up their online gambling, 0.4% had returned to in-person gambling, and 0.6% were combining both online and land-based gambling. Compared to general population surveys, the proportion of people who started new gambling behaviors was higher in populations of gamblers.

In a UK study of 3,866 sports bettors, it was discovered that 16.6% of women and 17.3% of men began utilizing new gambling products during the lockdown. A second UK research of 537 online gamblers revealed that 41% of regular online gamblers and 26% of all online gamblers had opened new gambling accounts since the lockdown‘s inception.

All gambling activity decreased, with the exception of playing online casino games. Online casino games saw a rise from 1.5% in October 2019 to 2.3% in May 2020. The majority of gamblers claimed to have wagered roughly the same amount (52%) or less (41%) during the lockdown. But 4% of people were gambling more, and this number increased to 20% in those who had a gambling problem. Compared to older age groups, younger gamblers (aged 18 to 34) were more likely to increase their gambling frequency and spending. The majority of people spent the same amount on gambling during lockdown or less, with gambling expenditure being similar to frequency.

Internet gaming was the largest and most popular sector, generating a gross gambling yield of  £3.1 billion. The majority of the £1.94 billion in GGY generated by online casinos in this market was from slot machines.

The National Lottery, the second-largest sector, generated £1.61 billion in GGY. The second-largest industry was sports betting, with its online and land-based segments earning £1.04 billion and £629.3 million, respectively.

Due to closures and other restrictions brought on by the coronavirus epidemic, the land-based sector suffered during this time. For the six months, land-based casinos only made £67 million, as opposed to £1.02 billion for the entire year from April 2019 to March 2020.

Conclusion

Despite a general decline in gambling, studies revealed that a very small proportion of individuals began gambling for the first time while the school was under lockdown. Additionally, some people who gambled prior to COVID-19 engaged in new gambling behaviors during lockdown by opening new accounts and attempting new products.

Where Do You Find Louis Vuitton Wall Art?

Adding wall art to your home lightens up your space while adding life and radiance to the area. However, initially, you may find it challenging to choose the right decor piece to decorate your wall.

While searching different markets and galleries for that perfect wall art that compliments your entire house, a Louis Vuitton art piece can be your ultimate choice. Understandably, you might be curious where you can buy an LV -themed wall art. This blog will tell you the answer and some other helpful information on why you should choose a Louis Vuitton artwork for your walls. 

Louis Vuitton wall art

One can quickly get bored with the useless blank walls and rooms in their homes. You can opt for adding furniture to the latter, but this will consume too much space, still leaving a huge empty wall behind. Therefore, a single colossal art piece can add a sense of style and elegance to your entire room while filling up the bare wall. 

Louis Vuitton-inspired wall art pieces are simple, minimal, and classy, available in various forms, designs, prints, and colors. They have an outstanding potential to match the house interior of any color or type while adding a stylish dimension to other adornments in the room. 

Where do you find Louis Vuitton wall art?

If you are looking for a unique Louis Vuitton-inspired art piece for your wall decor, you can find it exclusively on Splash of Arts. These are a few platforms where you will find all varieties, types, designs, and colors of Louis Vuitton wall decor, which will suit your personality and style. 

However, if you are on a budget, Splash of Arts is the place to find authentic and high-quality artwork at cost-effective prices

How is Louis Vuitton wall art unique from other art pieces?

This artistic brand is one of its kind in the whole world. Whatever you buy from Louis Vuitton is bound to stand out from others. Similarly, having an LV-inspired art piece on your house wall will instantly make it unique and a focal point of attention for all your guests and visitors. There are uncountable design and color options to choose from, including other decor items such as mirrors, clocks, sculptures, etc. 

Have you ever thought of hundreds of decor enthusiasts? How many would actually own a Louis Vuitton wall art? The latter should be enough to convince you why you should buy it and how quickly you will add yourself to the unique list as soon as you own an LV art piece.

Why Splash Of Arts?

Splash of Arts can be your ultimate choice for buying Louis Vuitton-inspired wall artworks, as it is a significant art hub where you can find countless and the most creative and classy art pieces at a highly affordable price. The gallery offers numerous options for interior decoration enthusiasts with all kinds of budgets, whether it is a customized order or an already-existing painting by a newbie artist. 

Wrapping Up

The designs and patterns of the Louis Vuitton style of artwork have become so vast, filling the gap rapidly that you require to decorate your house walls. Not only will the wall look luxurious and expensive, but the entire room decor will also become classy and elegant with a single LV art piece.

Julien Chang Releases New Song ‘Time & Place’

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Baltimore artist Julien Chang has shared a new song, ‘Time & Place’, taken from his upcoming sophomore album The Sale. It follows the lead single ‘Marmalade’, which came out last month. Check it out below, along with a live performance video shot at Purgatory in Brooklyn.

“In ‘Time and Place,’ things slow down,” Chang explained in a statement. “The most basic categories of experience in the title match the affecting simplicity of the acoustic guitar chords. As “time and place” are the heart of experience, the easy honesty of the acoustic guitar is the heart of this song’s beauty. A sad and beautiful song about a loved one quietly exiting your place. ‘Time and Place’ features an original string arrangement by Davey Copeland.”

The Sale will be released on November 4 via Transgressive Records.

8 Ways Fashion Influences Automobile Trends

It’s no secret that fashion and automobile trends often go hand in hand. In fact, many times, automakers will debut new car designs at major fashion shows. There are a number of reasons for this, but chief among them is the desire to create a “total experience” for consumers. By pairing automobiles with cutting-edge fashion, automakers can create an image for their brand that is aspirational and exciting.

It’s no secret that the world of fashion is always changing. Every year, new styles and trends emerge, and the industry is constantly evolving to keep up with the times. Investing in an extended car warranty is becoming more popular because of the technology and other factors that are going into car design.

Just like with clothing, the auto industry is always coming up with new designs and features to appeal to customers. In fact, many carmakers have even hired renowned fashion designers to help create concept cars that are truly one-of-a-kind. So next time you’re admiring a beautiful car on the street, remember that it might just have been influenced by the world of fashion.

1.  Status Symbol

Automobiles are often seen as a status symbol, and as such, their designs are often inspired by high-end fashion. For example, many luxury cars feature sleek lines and an elegant aesthetic that is reminiscent of designer clothing.

2.  Textiles

Have you ever wondered why luxury automobiles often incorporate premium materials such as leather and wood into their design? It turns out that there is a very close connection between the world of fashion and the world of cars.

Many of the same trends that appear on the runway can also be found in the auto industry. For example, designers will often use similar colors and textures when creating both a car interior and a piece of clothing. This helps to create a cohesive look that speaks of wealth and success.

In addition, car makers will often borrow specific design elements from high-end fashion brands. This gives their products an air of exclusivity and prestige. So next time you see a luxury car with a leather steering wheel or woodgrain dashboard, remember that it’s not just about the materials themselves – it’s also about the message that they convey.

3.  Color

Another way that fashion influences automobile trends is through color. Every year, Pantone releases its Fashion Color Report, which includes a palette of colors that designers should consider using in their collections. Many times, these colors will make their way into the automotive world. For example, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2020 is Classic Blue, which is a popular color choice for both fashion and automobiles.

4.  Technology

Fashion also has an impact on automobile trends through the use of technology. Oftentimes, new automotive technologies are first debuted at major tech trade shows such as CES or the Detroit Auto Show. This is because automakers know that early adopters of new technology are often also interested in fashion and design. By debuting new automotive technologies at these shows, automakers can generate excitement and interest among consumers.

5.  Pop culture

Fashion plays a role in automobile trends through the influence of pop culture. Automobiles are often featured prominently in movies, TV shows, and music videos. As a result, they can become closely associated with certain celebrities or pop culture icons. For example, the Cadillac Escalade has been featured in numerous rap songs and is often seen as a symbol of success and wealth.

6.  Advertising

Another way that fashion influences automobiles is through advertising. Automakers often use fashion models and celebrities to sell their cars. They know that by aligning their products with people who are considered to be cool or fashionable, they can make their cars more desirable to consumers.

7.  Personalization

Finally, fashion also plays a role in automobile trends through the trend of personalization. Consumers today want to express their individuality and style, and they often do this through the way they customize their cars. For example, many people choose to add aftermarket parts or accessories to their cars in order to make them unique. Others may have their cars painted or wrapped in a custom color or design.

As you can see, fashion has a big influence on automobile trends. From the colors and materials that are used to the way that cars are advertised, fashion plays a role in shaping the automotive world. So next time you’re looking at a new car, take a closer look at its design – you may be surprised to find that it has more in common with fashion than you thought.

Album Review: Hot Chip, ‘Freakout/Release’

Hot Chip’s last album, 2019’s A Bath Full of Ecstasy, was dance music to sink into. Although it barely deviated from the Hot Chip formula, it proved a rewarding listen by reveling in a soothing, immersive palette cooked up with help from external producers Philippe Zdar and Rodaidh McDonald that mirrored its larger-than-life concerns as much as it sneakily concealed them. Now 18 years into their career, Hot Chip have developed a reputation for being more reliable than quirky, which explains why it’s easy to dismiss just how immense and adventurous that record sounded. But its premise was more straightforward than its hyperbolic title suggested: it didn’t offer transcendence so much as a joyful respite from the darkness of the world. It should be worrying, then, that on their newest album, Freakout/Release, lead vocalist Alexis Taylor – on an album written and recorded in a creative space literally called Relax & Enjoy that his bandmate Al Doyle put together during the pandemic – sings: “Music used to be an escape/ Now I can’t escape it.”

Whatever collective feelings of frustration and discontent fuelled these songs, it’s clear that the group found a way to, well, release them. It’s a different lyric from the title track that’s more indicative of the band’s approach this time around: “I need an escape and some primitive healing.” Driven by a greater spirit of improvisation, Freakout/Release sees the group allowing themselves to get a little bit wilder and messier, as evidenced by the rumbling vocoder vocals and techno punk groove on the Soulwax-produced song. It’s refreshing to hear Hot Chip leaning back into their ridiculous side, but comforting that they do so without abandoning their unique pop sensibilities. Interpolating The Universal Togetherness Band’s ‘More Than Enough’, opener ‘Down’ feels both raw and infectious, a sudden but effective introduction to an album that has more fun being playful and direct than emulating its predecessor’s focus on consistency and precision.

Like that album, though, Freakout/Release is at its best when it marries catchy melodies and colourful production with an undercurrent of melancholy. ‘Eleanor’, the clear standout here, is a sunny, timeless jam whose chorus features lines like, “Even if you believe that there’s nothing more/ I feel heaven knocking at our door.” But it’s the strange combination of purple lyrics (“You’re like a river that will never stop”) and absurd references (“You’re like Andre the Giant/ On his way to school”) in the bridge that renders it quintessentially, delightfully Hot Chip. The similarly down-tempo ‘Time’, meanwhile, mixes the existential with the dorky: “Searching for a place where we can end this endless day… With my buddies close behind me we will ride this fearsome wave.” ‘Hard to Be Funky’, which is more somber than either of those tracks, is so cheeky and sincere it’s a wonder it didn’t turn into a complete embarrassment. (“Ain’t it hard to be flexi/ When you feel kind of clunky/ And your heart’s made of plexi,” the singer laments, before getting all cosmic and throwing in a Sun Ra Arkestra reference.)

The majority of songs on Freakout/Release are actually ballads, which might seem like a confusing decision, but one that, for the most part, Hot Chip get away with. The genuine emotion fed into them is undeniable, and their delivery rarely seems forced; it’s hard not to be touched by the tender harmonies and enveloping synths on a song like ‘Not Alone’. But the results are sometimes mixed: despite a similarly heartfelt vocal lead, ‘Broken’ comes off as pleasant but uncharacteristically generic, and ‘Miss the Bliss’ has little to offer. Unfortunately, the album starts to run out of ideas in the second half, which tends to drown out some of the group’s eccentricities. They do, however, try something new on the outwardly political ‘The Evil That Men Do’, which simply but elegantly expresses the need for cultural atonement, even if Cadence Weapon’s guest appearance could have added more depth than it does. After all this time, they’re still longing for the same thing: “We need a break from this kind of heartreak,” Taylor sings on ‘Not Alone’, his voice fragile but holding on to hope; shining through the noise and all-consuming thoughts, the music is more than capable of providing it.

Iceage Announces Compilation Album, Share Video for New Song ‘Shake the Feeling’

Iceage have announced Shake the Feeling: Outtakes & Rarities 2015-2021, a new compilation of rare B-sides and unreleased tracks that will be out September 23 via Mexican Summer. They’ve also shared the album’s title track, alongside a video directed by Alex Cantouris. Check it out and find the full tracklist below.

Written and recorded during the sessions for 2018’s Beyondless, ‘Shake the Feeling’ was discarded for being “happy go lucky,” according to a press release. “We thought this one to be a little too ‘nice’ and well behaved at the time,” Elias Bender Rønnenfelt explained in a statement. “I didn’t want to learn the song, so I ended up improvising on the final take we did before abandoning it. In hindsight, I find the song to be completely sprawling with an impulsiveness difficult to capture on purpose. It has some of the guitar work I’m personally most proud of.”

Iceage released their most recent album, Seek Shelter, in 2021.

Shake the Feeling: Outtakes & Rarities 2015-2021 Cover Artwork:

Shake the Feeling: Outtakes & Rarities 2015-2021 Tracklist:

1. All The Junk On The Outskirts
2. Shake The Feeling
3. Sociopath Boogie
4. My Mule
5. I’ll Keep It With Mine
6. Balm of Gilead
7. Broken Hours
8. I’m Ready To Make A Baby
9. Namouche
10. Order Meets Demand
11. Lockdown Blues
12. Shelter Song (Acoustic)

Lee Fields Announces New Album ‘Sentimental Fool’, Releases New Song

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Legendary soul singer Lee Fields has announced a new album titled Sentimental Fool. The follow-up to 2019’s It Rains Love comes out October 28 via Daptone, his first LP for the label. Check out the Andrew Anderson-directed video for its title track below, along with the album cover and tracklist.

Sentimental Fool was produced by Daptone Records founder Bosco Mann (aka Gabriel Roth). “I wanted to cut a different kind of record and really give Lee room to sing,” Mann explained in a statement. “We took our time and got painfully deep into every one of these tunes, stripping them down to pure feeling – no effort spared, no empty gestures remaining. Lee might be the greatest singer alive and I don’t think he’s ever sung better than on these sessions.”

“With Gabe’s efforts I feel like this album depicts me as the full character that I am. I’m all about emotions,” Fields added. “This album allowed me to show what I’m capable of doing. Not to say that my vocal ability goes beyond others, but I’m able to figure out the math to get the feeling you’re looking for. I’m not trying to outdo any singer, but I can interpret the feeling. I can make someone cry if I want to. It’s always the challenge of trying to make something deeper. On this record I go deeper than I’ve ever gone.”

Sentimental Fool Cover Artwork:

Sentimental Fool Tracklist:

1. Forever
2. I Should Have Let You Be
3. Sentimental Fool
4. Two Jobs
5. Just Give Me Your Time
6. Save Your Tears for Someone New
7. The Door
8. What Did I Do
9. Without A Heart
10. Ordinary Lives
11. Your Face Before My Eyes
12. Extraordinary Man

Field Guide Announces New Album, Shares Video for New Song ‘Leave You Lonely’

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Field Guide, the project of Canadian songwriter Dylan MacDonald, has announced his self-titled second LP with a video for the new song ‘Leave You Lonely’. Field Guide arrives October 28 via Birthday Cake Records. Check out ‘Leave You Lonely’ below.

In a press release, MacDonald explained that the new track is “about devotion. It’s about fighting complacency. Having doubts is human, but swallowing those feelings can often lead us into a haze of disconnection. It’s rare to hold only one feeling at a time and I’ve been learning to embrace the myriad of emotions that come with being alive, and in love. This song represents a beautiful and imperfect love, the recording is the same — no editing, a one take (and sometimes out of tune) vocal.”

“Melody is what makes words fall out of my mouth, it’s disarming,” he added. “When I find a melody that represents my internal world, I drop my guard. I allow the words to appear out of thin air without judgement. A lot of these songs came to life that way. I wasn’t trying to make anything, but the songs became a home for words that I wasn’t yet ready to write on the page.”

MacDonald recorded Field Guide with Kris Ulrich in a woodstove-heated cabin near Riding Mountain National Park during one of the coldest Canadian winters on record. “Recording there was inspiring, there was something about that harsh environment, it felt significant,” MacDonald recalled. “Kris and I would record all day, and late into the evening and then play M. Ward’s Migration Stories on repeat while we cooked dinner, drank whiskey, and smoked.”

Field Guide’s last album was 2019’s Make Peace with That.

Field Guide Cover Artwork:

Field Guide Tracklist:

1. Leave You Lonely
2. Remember When
3. You Could Be Free
4. In Love Now
5. For Sure
6. Cracked Open
7. Worst Of Ways
8. Wishing Well
9. Goddess
10. You Carry Me
11. Looking Back
12. Tupperware (Reimagined)

Watch Angel Olsen Perform ‘All the Good Times’ on ‘Fallon’

Angel Olsen stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last night (August 17) to perform ‘All the Good Times’ along with her touring band. Watch it below.

‘All the Good Times’ is taken from Olsen’s most recent album, Big Time, which arrived in June. The singer-songwriter, who is currently touring with Sharon Van Etten and Julien Baker as part of their co-headlining Wild Hearts Tour, previously performed the record’s title track on Jimmy Kimmel Live.