Luxury and an air of excitement: 4 films about gambling that were filmed in real casinos

Luxury and an air of excitement: 4 films about gambling that were filmed in real casinos

Photo: Freepik

Very few things in life are as glamorous and exciting as visiting an upscale casino. The promise of a good time and substantial wins can be heard in the stacking of chips, cards shuffling and the spin of the roulette wheel. However, a trip to Las Vegas or Monte Carlo is not in everyone’s budget, but it is still possible to get a splash of the ritz and glitz without leaving home!

Instead of visiting casinos, watch movies set in casinos. That should satisfy all cravings for sophisticated gambling entertainment without much effort. The combination of money, stakes, thrill, and the constant chase for a better future inspired dozens of filmmakers and captivated thousands of movie buffs. Viewers can feast their eyes on breathtaking locations, and feel the adrenaline taking over their body as if they were the main characters in these Oscar-worthy flicks!

The Riviera and The Landmark Hotel in the movie “Casino”

Love him or hate him, but Martin Scorsese knows how to tell a story. The master of American cinematography swept the crowds with his 1995 film “Casino” starring Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone. “Casino” is a story of Sam “Ace” Rothstein (De Niro), a man climbing his way to the top. Ace oversees the flamboyant Tangiers Casino on the Las Vegas Strip and tries to make a name in the City of Sins. Like a true Scorsese masterpiece, this effortless masterpiece grabs the viewer’s attention for three hours.

The movie was shot in The Riviera and The Landmark Hotel. The Riviera, famous for its mobster history, was for a long time one of the most spectacular sights in Las Vegas. It was shut down in 2015, to the disappointment of many. The Landmark Hotel, on the other hand, was already shut at the time of filming. It was renowned for its star-studded lineup of performers that included big names like Danny Thomas, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra, and being one of the essential places to visit in the 1970s.

Gambling atmosphere of a casino without leaving home

Visiting Las Vegas and feeling like Ace sure sounds nice, but it is not attainable for many. Still, that doesn’t mean gambling fans from all over the globe have to ditch their favorite pastime. Thanks to sites that publish lists of reliable casinos, such as https://polskiesloty.com/nowe-kasyna/, you can play games without leaving your home. This is a new type of entertainment developed to suit the busy lifestyle of the 21st century.

Online casinos offer thousands of games in one place and provide cost-effective gambling, without paying for travel and lodging. At the same time, they offer interesting bonuses and responsible gambling tools any player can activate. However, the risk of developing an addiction is still high, and the fact remains, that there is no social component as in land-based venues.

The Bellagio in the movie “Ocean’s Thirteen”

“Ocean’s Thirteen” is the blockbuster we all know for its impressive cast that includes:

  • George Clooney;
  • Matt Damon;
  • Brad Pitt;
  • Andy Garcia and many others.

Steven Soderbergh didn’t impress only with the casting, but the story as well. The final sequel of the Ocean’s trilogy is (once again) a heist comedy revolving around Danny Ocean and his crew, always up for a good robbery. This time, they are taking down the malicious entrepreneur Willy Bank, who messed up with their old pal Reuben.

Photo: Michelle Raponi via Pixabay

The movie was shot in one of the most recognizable Vegas sights – The Bellagio. Its dancing water fountains and mesmerizing light show attract thousands of spectators every night. 1,214 water nozzles shoot water 460 feet high, as more than 4,700 lights gleam to create spectacular effects you can’t see anywhere else.

MGM Grand in the film “Casino Royale”

The sequel that redefined the James Bond franchise, “Casino Royale”, is arguably the best movie in the Bond universe. The first in the series with then-new Bond, Daniel Craig, received standing ovations in cinemas across the globe due to a more serious approach, fascinating character development and astonishing action scenes that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Part of the excitement can be attributed to the cast, which jam-packed with European Thespians:

  • Eva Greene;
  • Judi Dench;
  • Mads Mikkelsen;
  • Tobias Menzies. 

“Casino Royale” builds tension on an exceptional level, partially thanks to the sensational atmosphere and environment of one of the biggest casinos of all time, MGM Grand. The legendary establishment operates under the credo “go big or go home” and fascinates the guests with over-the-top service and entertainment. With 6,852 rooms, it is also the biggest casino hotel in the Nevada desert.

Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, Red Rock Casino and Hard Rock Casino in the movie “Twenty-One”

Before Kevin Spacey fell from grace, he starred in many memorable and less memorable movies. But, if there is one neglected masterpiece in his portfolio, it is “Twenty-One”, a real-life story about a group of students plotting against the casino industry. And while they might be bright and better at math than so many others, the casino industry also packs a good punch in cracking their scheme.

“Twenty-One” (also known as “21”) is particularly appealing for fascinating shots of the incredible Vegas skyline, and for being shot not at one, not two, but three casinos. Planet Hollywood provides world-class gambling entertainment, accompanied by live concerts by some of the biggest stars such as Britney Spears, Lionel Ritchie and Christina Aguilera.

 The other is the Red Rock Casino, known as the most expensive property of Station Casinos. Red Rock has a captivating history and was a target of many controversies, mostly regarding the quality of life of the nearby population. Hard Rock Casino now operates as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, but back in the day, it was a sublime medley of merchandise, fashion, music, and gambling. The venue closed in 2020, after catering to the needs of gamblers for 25 years.

Published on 8 November 2023
Last update : 8 November 2023

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