20 GREATEST CASINO & GAMBLING MOVIES OF ALL TIME
Casinos have always drawn the attention of filmmakers. The risk, glamour, and drama of gambling make the perfect setting for stories about ambition, luck, and downfall, whether it’s the bright lights of Las Vegas, an underground poker room, or a clever casino heist. Movies about gambling capture both the thrill and the tension of betting everything on one hand. Here’s our list of the 20 greatest casino and gambling films of all time — from timeless classics like Casino and The Cincinnati Kid to modern hits such as 21, Molly’s Game, and The Hangover. Grab some popcorn, take a seat, and enjoy this cinematic tour through the best gambling films ever made.
CASINO, THE CINCINNATI KID, ROUNDERS, 21, MOLLY'S GAME, OCEAN'S ELEVEN & THE HANGOVER
1. Casino (1995)
· Martin Scorsese’s epic crime drama explores the rise and fall of Las Vegas casinos in the 1970s. Robert DeNiro stars as Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a disciplined casino manager, alongside JoePesci as his ruthless associate.
Why it’s great: A masterclass in storytelling that mixes glamour, greed, and mob intrigue with standout performances.
2. The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
· Steve McQueen plays a young poker player trying to prove himself against an experienced master, played by Edward G. Robinson.
Why it’s great: A tense, character-driven poker film that highlights the psychology behind every hand.
3. Rounders (1998)
· Matt Damon and Edward Norton lead this cult classic about underground Texas Hold’em players navigating New York’s poker scene.
Why it’s great: Credited with inspiring the poker boom of the 2000s, it’s essential viewing for poker fans.
4. 21 (2008)
· Based on the true story of MIT students who used card-counting to beat blackjack in Las Vegas. Kevin Spacey plays their mentor in this slick, fast-paced drama.
Why it’s great: Captures the rush of out smarting the casino - and the price of pushing luck too far.
5. Molly’s Game (2017)
· Jessica Chastain plays Molly Bloom, who ran high-stakes underground poker games for Hollywood’s elite. Based on her memoir.
Why it’s great: Smart and stylish, offering a fascinating inside look at the real world of exclusive poker circles.
6. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
· George Clooney and Brad Pitt lead a star-filled cast in a plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos in one night.
Why it’s great: Technically a heist film, but filled with the polish, humour, and charm of classic casino style.
7. The Hangover (2009)
· A bachelor party in Las Vegas spirals out of control, complete with blackjack tables, stolen chips, and chaos.
Why it’s great: A wild comedy that captures the unpredictable energy of Vegas nightlife.
cROUPIER, THE GAMBLER, HARD EIGHT, THE COOLER, LOCK, STOCK & TWO SMOKING BARRELS, MISSISSIPPI GRIND & RAIN MAN
8. Croupier (1998)
· Clive Owen stars as a writer who takes a job dealing cards and becomes entangled in the darker side of casino life.
Why it’s great: A subtle, underrated story told from the dealer’s point of view.
9. The Gambler (1974 / 2014)
· Both versions tell the story of a man trapped by gambling addiction. James Caan played the original role, later reimagined by Mark Wahlberg.
Why it’s great: A raw and honest portrayal of obsession and risk.
10. Hard Eight (1996)
· Paul Thomas Anderson’s debut follows a seasoned gambler mentoring a down-on-his-luck drifter, played by John C. Reilly.
Why it’s great: A quiet, character-led story about luck, loyalty, and life at the tables.
11. The Cooler (2003)
· William H. Macy plays a“cooler” - someone whose bad luck is used to jinx winning players - until love changes his fortune.
Why it’s great: An inventive take on casino superstition and fate.
12. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
· Guy Ritchie’s breakout hit features poker games, gangsters, and one very bad hand that sets everything in motion.
Why it’s great: Stylish, fast-talking, and full of gambling tension.
13. Mississippi Grind (2015)
· Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn star as two gamblers chasing wins across the American South.
Why it’s great: A modern road movie that balances risk, friendship, and redemption.
14. Rain Man (1988)
· Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman star as brothers on a road trip that leads to a memorable blackjack scene at Caesars Palace.
Why it’s great: Heartfelt and iconic, blending card counting with an emotional story.
THE STING, OWNING MAHOWNY, CASINO ROYALE, CALIFORNIA SPLIT, HIGH ROLLER: THE STU UNGAR STORY & FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS
15. The Sting (1973)
· Paul Newman and Robert Redford headline this con-artist classic built around poker, horse betting, and elaborate scams.
Why it’s great: Clever, stylish, and still one of the best twist-filled films ever made.
16. Owning Mahowny (2003)
· Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a banker whose secret gambling addiction drives him to embezzle millions.
Why it’s great: A grounded, gripping look at how addiction can spiral out of control.
17. Casino Royale (2006)
· James Bond faces Le Chiffre in a tense poker showdown that defines the film. Daniel Craig brings intensity and realism to the famous spy’s return.
Why it’s great: Classic Bond glamour meets high-stakes poker in one of the series’ standout moments.
18. California Split (1974)
· Two gamblers, played by George Segal and Elliott Gould, explore the highs and lows of gambling life.
Why it’s great: Loose, authentic, and full of the culture that defined 1970s casino scenes.
19. High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story (2003)
· A biopic about legendary poker champion Stu Ungar, a three-time World Series of Poker winner whose brilliance was matched by personal struggles.
Why it’s great: A powerful story about talent, addiction, and the cost of chasing perfection.
20. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
· Johnny Depp stars as journalist Hunter S. Thompson on a chaotic trip through Las Vegas filled with casinos, hallucinations, and madness.
Why it’s great: A surreal, unforgettable journey through the most extreme side of Sin City.
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OVERVIEW
Casino films have always captured the thrill and danger of chance, from mob dramas and poker classics to Vegas comedies and slick heists. Whether you prefer the gritty realism of Rounders or the style of Ocean’s Eleven, these 20 films are the very best of the genre.
Just remember: in movies, the hero often beats the odds. In real life, the house always wins, so enjoy the entertainment, play responsibly, and keep the fun in the game.
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