Best Movies that Take Place In Casinos

The flashing lights, the sirens, the hum of conversation, and the thrill of positioning a bet are all part of the allure of gambling establishments. While gambling has actually been around for centuries, casinos started appearing in Italy in the 17th century. The Casino di Venezia, which opened in 1638 in Venice, is the world's earliest gambling establishment, though it was initially referred to as Theatre Saint Moses. It used visitors the chance to bet throughout theatrical production intermissions.


By the 19th century, gambling establishments appeared all over Europe. In the United States, towns like Las Vegas and Reno in Nevada, and Atlantic City in New Jersey, became known for casinos and the notorious ties held to organized criminal offense. Gambling itself had a reputation as a vice that could result in other bad habits.


Hollywood's own fixation with gambling establishments has a long history also. Classic movie "Casablanca" includes a casino as part of Rick Blaine's nightclub. Throughout the next a number of years, directors like Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Soderbergh tried their hand at motion pictures about the appeal of gaming and the casinos that supported the lifestyle.


OLBG researched the history of gambling establishments on screen and assembled a list of 20 of the very best casino movies. To be consisted of, films needed to have important scenes happen in a gambling establishment, and the film needed to have at least a 6.0 on IMDb or a 65 on Metacritic.


ATO Pictures


# 20. 'Casino Jack' (2010 )


- Director: George Hickenlooper
- IMDb user score: 6.2
- Metascore: 51
- Runtime: 108 minutes


This fictionalized retelling of a true story stars Kevin Spacey as Jack Abramoff, a corrupt Washington D.C. lobbyist encouraged by greed and power.