Luck

Luck

Luck

Chester Bernstein

Gus Demitriou

Turo Escalante

Joey Rathburn

Jo (10 episodes, 2011-2012)

Walter Smith

Marcus

Lonnie

Renzo

Jerry

Rosie (9 episodes, 2011-2012)

Ronnie Jenkins

Leon Micheaux

(7 episodes, 2012)

Claire Lachay

Michael

Isadore Cohen

Lizzy

Lorelei

Series creator David Milch is a recovering gambling addict in real life, and drew on his own experiences for part of the storyline. He jokingly refers to that part of his life as "the most expensive research period" of his career.

Ted Levine was originally considered for the role of Marcus before being cast as Isadore Cohen.

Two horses were injured during filming and later euthanized. The American Humane Association released a statement saying that both racehorses suffered severed fractures that were checked by veterinarians and deemed inoperable. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals criticized HBO over the injuries and euthanization of the horses. After the death of a third horse, HBO suspended any filming involving horses while investigations by the AHA took place. It was determined that the third horse was not injured during filming. HBO decided to cancel the series rather than risk any further animal injuries.