Thought that there was no connection between beauty contests and casinos? Think again. While they’re fundamentally two different forms of entertainment, the two have more in common than you might think. In fact, take a look at the rise of beauty pageants and casinos in the 20th century, and you’ll find that they both pop up in the same areas.

With that in mind, let’s dive into all the similarities between these two seemingly distinct topics.

They Both Have a Strong Connection to Las Vegas

When they think of Las Vegas, most people’s first thoughts go towards casinos. And they would be completely correct — while there are other major casino cities around the world, there are none that can match the reputation of Sin City. It’s been the major casino city since the 1950s, and though online casinos have risen in popularity in recent years, it’s still a powerhouse.

Beauty pageants also owe a great deal to Las Vegas, too. It’s where the major competitions take place (it’s the spiritual home of Miss USA, and has frequently been the host of Miss Universe, too), and the city just feels like a beauty pageant town. After all, there aren’t too many cities that are as glitzy and glamorous as Las Vegas.

They Both Move with The Times

Both casinos and beauty pageants have a long history. The very first casino dates back to the early 17th century; while the first modern beauty pageant dates back to the mid-1850s.

As you might expect, both casinos and beauty pageants are vastly different today to what they were when they were first introduced. The rise of the internet, for instance, had a significant impact on both. Today, people are less likely to visit a real-world casino; instead, they’ll play online from the comfort of their own homes. The rise of the internet, and technology in general, has ensured that players can have the same — or even superior — experience that they’d have in a real-world establishment.

Beauty pageants have also more with the digital age, too. Social media platforms have allowed contestants to have a much more authentic connection to their fans, offering a viable way for them to earn an income well after the beauty competition has come to an end. Video streaming has also added another twist to the viewer’s experience, allowing them to glimpse the magic that happens behind the scenes.

They’re Both Popular Worldwide

There aren’t too many things that can be said to have worldwide appeal, but both beauty pageants and casinos very much fall into that category. You’ll find casinos all over the world, but even if there aren’t any nearby casinos, players still get to enjoy the latest offerings thanks to the rise of online casinos. Beauty pageants can also be found on all corners of the planet, and that’s evidenced by the sheer number of countries that are represented in the Miss Universe competition — in 2024, some 127 countries competed in the competition!

They’re Both Associated With Elegance

Both beauty pageants and casinos are synonymous with elegance. With graceful ball gowns, James Bond-style gameplay, and a lot of tradition on both sides, it’s not hard to see how they’ve long been associated with sophistication.

They Both Involve Strategy 

The more you dive into casino games and beauty pageants, the more you’ll discover that there’s a lot of strategy that goes into being successful in either. Being a good poker player requires extensive studying and practice. And if you want to compete in a Miss Universe competition, then you better have a good strategy under your belt; though outsiders seem to think that it’s solely judged on appearance, in reality, there are a host of factors that go into beauty pageant success, including advocacy work and public speaking.

And there we have it! The next time you’re watching a beauty pageant, remember: they have more in common with casinos than you might think!