Many casino enthusiasts find a movie relaxing after an exciting gaming session, and films based on gambling are the perfect way to end an evening of wagering and hopefully winning. There have been many gambling movies made in the last several decades, including those that should not be missed by those who delight in the thrills of online or land-based casino play.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001, 1960)
Many gamblers have already seen the 2001 Soderbergh remake of this 1960’s classic, and anyone who hasn’t should do so. The original is a must-see for everyone, not just gamblers, as it is a true movie classic. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and the rest of this cast give brilliant performances in the movie, and viewers who prefer to gain perspective on the gritty town that Las Vegas used to be will love the original version.
Casino (1995)
A successful sports handicapper in Chicago is noticed by the Mob and is enlisted to manage casinos in Las Vegas. Sam “Ace” Rothstein plays it straight until he falls for a call girl who is down on her luck and reunites with an childhood friend who serves as an enforcer for the Mob. This is a Martin Scorsese film that follows the up and downs of the trio played by Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci.
Croupier (2000)
Jack Manfried is a struggling writer played by Clive Owen who takes a job as a croupier, or casino dealer, to make ends meet at a small casino in London. Despite his best efforts he becomes embroiled in a scheme with three women who need his help in scamming the casino. Manfried manages to stay away from the tables, but finds himself betting his livelihood and freedom when he becomes involved in the women’s plot.
Casino Royale (2006)
No gambling list is complete without the 007 flick, starring Daniel Craig, that revived the long-time franchise. The British intelligence service M-16 sends 007 on his first mission to a high-stakes poker tournament to foil the plans of an arms dealer. Based on Ian Fleming’s first Bond novel, this movie is a heart-pumping, adrenaline-filled film that stays true to its source.
21 (2008)
Kevin Spacey plays an ex-card counter who, after being banned from casinos, becomes a professor at MIT. With his help, a group of his students devise a plan to fleece the casinos in an attempt to pay for their expensive educations. The plan works brilliantly until the group gets greedy and the casinos catch on to the plan. 21 is high-quality entertainment, but viewers are discouraged from following in the footsteps of the characters, considering the fact that the film was based on actual events.
These are only five of the many movies based on casinos and gambling, but these serve as an excellent starting point for casino and movie enthusiasts alike. The casino gaming movie genre is a broad, deep category that has almost limitless potential to entertain those who like to spin the reels, hit the tables or take part in the gambling culture in any other way.
