Many of us have heard the ‘horror stories’ of getting involved in online gambling, but very few films or television shows actually address this issue, however, new film Runner Runner has tackled the problem head on. Throughout the course of the film, the audience follow the story of Richie Furst, a Princeton graduate played by Justin Timberlake, having found himself short of money to pay his tuition fees, Richie uses his online skills to navigate the virtual casino world and make himself some money. After all his hard work, and when he’s nearing the need of collecting, Furst is cheated out of his money by the illegitimate gambling tycoon, Ivan Block, played by Ben Affleck. Having realised exactly what’s happened to him, Furst travels to Costa Rica to confront Block, though soon becomes embroiled in an ethically dangerous plot which sees him team up with the tycoon, while trying to get one over on him.
Although it sounds good on paper, the film does seem to fall short of the gritty, hard hitting crime thriller it could have been – there’s little going on throughout the entire film that actually makes it a movie to remember, the plot is predictable, and the characters feel flat. The lack of substance is what makes the film average at best, with the likes of Timberlake and Affleck only helping to keep the film going thanks to their appearance, it challenges nothing, and doesn’t really offer anything new to this tried and tested genre. Nevertheless, although the background of illegitimate online gambling is wasted in the film, Runner Runner has still managed to trigger enough interest that the AGA, American Gambling Association, have utilised the film to demonstrate just how necessary it is for US players to have security and rigid legislation in place to ensure they don’t get caught out like Furst.
Of course, for UK players, there is the Gambling Act from 2005 that ensures that all online casinos are legitimate, and keep all players safe, with special attention paid to vulnerable and underage users who could be exploited. This is just a few of the reasons why the US want to catch us up, and keep their online gambling sector safe.
Originally published November 28, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
