3 of the Most Iconic Gambling Movies of All Time

Over the past decades, the cinematic world has given us tremendous depictions of the ins and outs of gambling. Some are raw and realistic, while others are more romanticized.

We believe there are certain movies that all gambling enthusiasts should watch in their lifetime. That is why we decided to curate our own selection of the best gambling movies ever in history.

This article focuses on some of the most popular ones of the kind. These were acclaimed by critics and the fans. They are considered by many to be the best of the best.

Casino, 1995

We kick off our list with the cream of the crop. The casino is considered by most fans and experts as the absolute best gambling movie of all time. It even features in many overall lists of the best movies ever.

The casino tells the fascinating real story of the Las Vegas gambling scene controlled by the mafia. The legendary Robert De Niro stars as a casino owner with ties to the mob, while the great Joe Pesci plays the role of a thief whose unreliable behaviour becomes a threat to the lives of both characters.

Sharon Stone also stars in the film. Stone and the remaining actors deliver equally fantastic supporting performances. The magnificent cast and the brilliant story make up for some of the most memorable and awe-inspiring scenes in cinema history.

Directed by Martin Scorsese, you wouldn’t expect less than a masterpiece.

Casino Royale, 2006

The Martin Campbell take on the Ian Fleming story starring Daniel Craig is undoubtedly an extremely accomplished cinematic gambling adventure. The story develops at high speed for non-stop excitement.

It features in every list of the best Bond movies of all time. And in many instances, it takes the top spot.

It tells the tale of James Bond (yet again) taking on a heinous character. This time it is Le Chiffre, a poker player with a taste for torture and terrorism.

Arguably the best scene in the movie and possibly one of the best in recent history is the ultimate showdown. James Bond and his enemy go head to head in a game where the stakes are all or nothing.

For the biggest poker enthusiasts, the high-stake games shown throughout the movie simply put them on the edge of their seat. The plot is packed with unexpected twists, which only adds to the pulsating experience.

Daniel Craig and Eva Green deliver jaw-dropping performances. Casino Royale made almost 600 million dollars in the box office.

Croupier, 1998

This Mike Hodges-directed movie starring Clive Owen focuses on the perspective of the dealers. Owen plays Jack Manfred, a struggling writer who sees himself forced to find another job. He starts working as a croupier or a dealer.

Quickly, though, Jack is drawn to the gambling world. The job that he so reluctantly took ends up consuming his entire life. All of his relationships are affected by his new immoderate lifestyle.

Eventually, the character starts being romantically attracted to a gambler called Jani. Because of her own gambling problems, Jani is in terrible debt and plans to rob the casino.

You have to see the movie to find out whether Jack will join Jani on the heist or not.

Go ahead and catch up on these three gems!