What makes casino games so appealing to people is the sense of excitement that comes from anticipation that grows each time you roll the reels or dice, especially if the stakes are high. Movies also give us a feeling of excitement because they allow us to step into other people’s shoes without knowing how their stories will end.
What connects playing games at the best Australian casinos and watching movies related to gambling is precisely that uncertainty and suspense that keeps us glued to the screens, as well as the reward we get in return in the form of a cathartic experience.
In fact, Hollywood has been fascinated by the topic of gambling since the beginning of the 20th century, and people’s interest in gambling-related films continues to this day.
On that note, if you’re a film buff or high roller, join us in exploring and analysing the role of casinos in film narratives and find out which iconic casino scenes have marked the history of Hollywood cinema.
Portrayal of Casinos in Movies – Establishing the Scene
Casino settings have always attracted filmmakers because they carry with them a mix of glamour and risk that can be portrayed in different ways. Using gambling as a light motive allows directors to explore all kinds of film genres, from exciting action to heartbreaking drama. This mix of possibilities creates an ideal base for alluring stories.
That said, there are two narratives that are most often encountered in casino-themed movies. One refers to the glamorous and romanticised portrayal of gambling that can be seen in films like Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Octopussy (1983), and 21 (2008), in which charming protagonists outsmart the casinos with their wits and skills.
The second narrative relates to the dark side of gambling that’s associated with addiction and financial ruin, as seen in The Gambler (1974, 2014), Casino (1995), and Owning Mahowny (2003).
Filmmakers also use gambling as a tool to initiate plots and create characters driven by greed and desire. In other words, gambling is presented as a metaphor for a life full of risks, gains, and losses. For example, in the film Mississippi Grind (2015), gambling is used as a metaphor for the main character’s personal struggles.
With that in mind, let’s find out how some of the most popular casino-themed films portray gambling.
Casino Royale (1967, 2006)
Casino Royale is a 1967 film that popularised casino-themed movies. This satirical portrayal of Fleming’s James Bond was a huge success with audiences and critics thanks to its established cast, such as Peter Sellers, Ursula Andress, Orson Welles, and Woody Allen.
In 2006, Casino Royale got a modern reboot in which the satirical story was replaced by a more serious, action-packed narrative.
Moreover, the director of the 2006 version, Martin Campbell, made several changes to keep up with the gambling trends of the time. Namely, while in the version from 1967, Baccarat occupied the central part of the story, in the 2006 version, this role belonged to Texas hold ’em poker since, at that time, online poker experienced its boom.
This film portrays two sides of gambling culture – the glamour of playing in high-stakes casinos and its dangerous side.
Casino (1995)
One of the most popular films of Martin Scorsese, the Casino, tells the story of the rise and fall of a professional gambler, Sam Rothstein, aka Ace, played by Robert De Niro, after he becomes the boss of a casino.
The Casino shows both the glamour and the dark side of gambling, providing an honest look at the corruption and fraud that goes on behind the glitzy interior.
The Most Iconic Casino Scenes in Cinema History
Filmmakers use different shooting and editing techniques to create gambling mise-en-scène that will allow viewers to step into the role of the player. Here are some of the most legendary gambling scenes in film history.
The Hangover (2009)
The Hangover has been called one of the best comedies of all time, and for a good reason. This movie is full of humour, action, and unexpected twists. However, one of the most iconic scenes in the movie is the blackjack scene.
To bring the gambling culture closer to the young audience, the director of the film, Todd Phillips, used modern filming techniques to show what playing Blackjack and counting cards looks like. On that note, he used special effects and fast montage, followed by a fun soundtrack, with which he managed to create one of the most iconic gambling scenes in comedies.
Rain Man (1988)
Rain Man is a film about two very different brothers, Charlie and Raymond, who are played by Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. Charlie is a businessman who wants to use his brother’s math skills to win money at blackjack tables. On the other hand, Raymond is an autistic man who follows strict routines.
In this movie, the casino scene doesn’t represent the glamour of playing in casinos and the possibility of big wins but the emotional reconnection between the two brothers.
Ocean’s Eleven (1960, 2001)
The film Ocean’s Eleven has two versions: the one from 1960, starring Frank Sinatra, a legendary musician who also loved playing casino games in his private life, and the one from 2001, directed by Steven Soderbergh. Although both versions take place in Las Vegas casinos, Soderbergh’s version captured the glamorous spirit of casinos much better.
Namely, in the last scene, we see the main protagonists standing in front of the Bellagio fountains after they successfully robbed the central vault of three large casinos while the sounds of Debussy’s Clair de Luna echo in the background.
This iconic scene depicts a romanticised version of the gambling culture where anything is possible as long as you have the right team.
The Gambler (2014)
The Gambler is a film about an obsession with gambling and its dark consequences. The main character of the film, Jim Bennett, played by Mark Wahlberg, is a professor who puts everything on the line, including his life, in order to repay a debt obtained by gambling.
The film’s director, Rupert Wyatt, perfectly evokes the gambling obsession by using dark colours, low lighting, and shadows. Suspense is also boosted by the fact that Bennett has exactly seven days to repay his debt.
The climax of the movie takes place in a casino, where Bennett, after winning enough money to pay off his debt, gambles it all away again, which demonstrates his compulsive need to gamble. To capture gambling addiction, Wyatt uses overhead lights and blue colours, which represent isolation and irreparability.
How Casinos Contribute to Storytelling and Atmosphere in Movies
Casinos are appealing to filmmakers because they contain a combination of mystery, glamour, danger, and excitement. All these elements can be used to create memorable films that carry certain lessons.
As you can see from our examples, the casino theme can be used in the service of gambling addiction prevention or as a place where everything can happen, from fraud to unexpected wins.
Casino settings also create tension and suspense, which means that they can be inserted into any genre, from drama to thrillers full of twists.
Another thing through which casinos contribute to the storytelling and atmosphere in films is their closedness, which enables directors and screenwriters to create complex characters whose stories take place within four walls. This closed space also allows them to play with colours and shadows.
That said, how casinos will be used in the narrative will depend on the genre. For example, films whose main theme is heists, such as Ocean’s Eleven, will use a casino as the main target of the heists. These films often use action sequences to make the act of a heist more glamorous.
A similar technique is used in comedies, where directors opt for special effects to show casino-related elements, such as card counting techniques. Comedies can also use casino games to help the main characters learn important life lessons.
In crime movies, casinos are often used as a gangster’s base, while in dramas, they can represent the power of emotions through choices and additions.
May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favour
Casino-related movies have always sparked interest among people since they involve elements of suspense, glamour and excitement. Filmmakers use casinos to help them contribute to the narrative and atmosphere of the film.
On that note, they are used in different genres, such as action-packed spy thrillers, like James Bond and Ocean’s Eleven, dramas dealing with existential crises, emotional relationships between characters and addiction, like The Gambler, Casino, and Owning Mahowny, and comedies, like The Hangover.
Casino movies also have an impact on the casino industry as they deal with the gambling culture. That said, many casino operators have begun using practices seen in films, such as offering VIP hosts to their top players, giving tickets to special events and parties, and providing hotel accommodations.