Casino gaming continues to increase in popularity, and while there is greater growth online, physical playing halls continue to enjoy a big share of the market. The atmosphere of a bricks and mortar casino is tough to match, and that’s why this sector will never go away.

The thrills of in-person gaming are among the reasons why casinos continue to provide a perfect setting for the movie industry. Along with the growing interest in casino games as a whole, writers and directors will often return here for the essential elements of their plots.

Recent trends in the casino industry have helped to boost interest and revenue around the world. Certain regions have opened their digital doors to legalise the practice and allow online casinos to operate in the area for the first time. Whilst many locations are new to online gambling, countries like the UK continue to see growth in online gambling popularity with more established casino sites becoming available in the UK.

New technology has also attracted more players with the promise of more exciting and realistic gameplay. Artificial intelligence has been helping players make better choices, while augmented reality and virtual reality promise to bring more entertainment in the years that follow.

All of these developments have raised interest, and with more players turning to slots, roulette, blackjack and other games, the movie industry has a perfect opportunity to capitalise.

Many moviegoers want to see scenes that they can relate to. While fantasy films and superheroes will always enjoy an audience, others will lose interest if the setting is unrealistic.

This is one area where casinos score heavily. Not everyone will get the opportunity to travel to the luxury resorts of Las Vegas or Atlantic City, but there are smaller, more accessible casinos across the globe. Many have already played the tables, while there is the back up of online platforms that make casino play open to all.

The plots have to be extreme in order to make the story more enjoyable, but the fact that they are set in familiar surroundings helps to drive interest in casino-themed films.

Casino games offer top-level entertainment, and the thrills and drama involved transfer neatly to the big screen. Poker is the most dramatic of all, with the game often going down to the final turn of the community cards.

The action on the tables will often be transferred to the plotline of several top movies. The concept of winner takes all has been adopted by releases such as The Hangover, Maverick, The Sting, and certain titles within the James Bond franchise.

In short, it’s a perfect storm for writers and directors. The glamorous, yet relatable backdrop of the casino hall, combined with the action on the tables, leads to infinite possibilities around the storyline.

We’ve seen why casinos can offer a perfect setting for movies, but which are the best releases to have adopted this theme? Many of those films have been based on true-life events, and one of the most remarkable of these is Molly’s Game.

Released in 2017, this movie tells the story of Molly Bloom, an aspiring Olympic athlete, whose winter sports career was cut short by injury. Struggling to adapt to her lifestyle change, Bloom sets up an underground poker den, which becomes the haunt of many high-profile celebrities.

Over the years, there has been much speculation over who actually attended Molly’s poker room, with some suggestions being more concrete than others.

Other casino movies combine elements of fact and fiction, while some involve pure fantasy. Among the best films to fall into this category, Ocean’s Eleven is a standout for many fans. The 2001 release is a remake of a 1960 original, and it features an All-Star cast, headed by George Clooney in the leading role.

Ocean’s Eleven revolves around another common element in casino movies – the heist. Clooney’s character is backed by the likes of Matt Damon, Andy Garcia and Brad Pitt, as the main antagonists attempt to relieve three casinos of a combined seven-figure sum.

It would be wrong not to mention the James Bond series. The two Casino Royale movies are the most obvious, but Thunderball, Dr. No, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Diamonds Are Forever are among others that used the theme.

Beyond 007, the list of other memorable casino-themed movies includes Rounders, Leaving Las Vegas, The Cincinnati Kid, California Split and Hard Eight. Every film buff has a favourite, but the good news is that there is a vast choice within this popular genre.

These are among the best releases over movie history, but we can be certain that the casino theme will continue to feature strongly moving forward. It’s always been a big hit among film fans, and the demand will be met in the future.

The challenge for writers and producers is to match these great titles and add their new movies to the list of all-time classics.

Photo by David Vives.