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Poker's popularity 'behind spate of gambling movies'

The popularity of poker is one of the main reasons behind a resurgence in gambling-related movies, an expert has implied.

Vince Van Patten, presenter of the World Poker Tour (WPT) TV show on GSN, made reference to the card playing boom when discussing cinematic gaming with the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

"Poker's obviously one of the hottest games, one of the hottest sports, in the world right now," he said.

The host added "it never hurts to have poker in movies like James Bond", despite his belief that most games are highly unrealistic.

Van Patten stars as himself in upcoming poker film Deal, which centres around the WPT.

Other gambling films on the horizon for 2008 include 21 and The Grand, which are about blackjack and poker respectively.

The last real-life WPT event was won by Brandon Cantu last week. The next stop on the tour will be the World Poker Challenge.