When it comes to gambling films, the subject matter has long been a minefield of scandal and drama, with most of the films taking a decidedly negative view of the industry. It’s hard to deny that the gambling business is often tarnished by a variety of unsavory situations and shady characters. However, there are plenty of gambling films in which the characters are portrayed with charm and humor, highlighting the fact that there’s more to gambling than meets the eye. In the era of high-risk casino management and big-money bets, it’s easy to forget that players are just normal people going about their daily lives. Many of them gamble online, go to OnlineCasinoGo for fresh information, and have fun as they wish.
If you want to catch a peek at how gambling operators see their subjects, then here are the top films that offer a glimpse into the lives of the high-rollers of Las Vegas, Miami, Monaco, Macau, Thailand, Manila, and beyond.
1. The Player
- Robert Taylor, James Mason
- Cast: Robert Taylor, James Mason
- Directed: Charles Vidor
The Player stars Robert Taylor and James Mason as two con men who are sent to Singapore after they attempt to swindle casino owner, Stanley Gorton. Although Stanley Gorton appears to be a stereotypical casino owner, Taylor’s character has the charisma and bravado that sets him apart from the other casino figures in the film. Not only does the film focus on the characters’ actions throughout their heist, but it also highlights the shady underworld characters that they interact with.
2. The Croupier
- Sandra Peabody, Peter Falk
- Cast: Sandra Peabody, Peter Falk
- Directed: Gordon Douglas
The Croupier is a story about the life and death of a roulette croupier. It’s a fascinatingly entertaining film that shows that some lifeguards in the early 1970s were quite a different breed to the ones that we know today. Instead of treating their job as an easy, secure position, the men have to face several challenges on a daily basis, such as working in a crowded casino, dealing with a large amount of money, and having to put up with rude patrons.
In the film, Sandra Peabody plays the role of the casino worker, who has to deal with the gamblers while also being the enforcer for the casino in order to keep the games going. However, it’s Falk’s performance as one of the croupiers that really shines through. He is at his best in the scenes in which he interacts with people that are playing the roulette game. Falk’s character is not a likable one, but there is a real sense of compassion and empathy when he is interacting with his customers and is able to offer support to them when they need it.
3. The Gambler
- Robert Ryan, Jane Greer
- Cast: Robert Ryan, Jane Greer
- Directed: John Sturges
The Gambler is a film starring Robert Ryan and Jane Greer. It’s an interesting story about a man who gets a job in a Las Vegas casino after he breaks his back when working as a roofer. It’s a good story for the most part, but the film was heavily criticized for being too sympathetic towards its protagonist. In real life, Ryan’s character is more of a loser who doesn’t do very much, while the casino doesn’t really seem to care about him and his problems.
The story and dialogue were probably written to make the character sympathetic, but the film is an accurate portrayal of the types of people who work in a Las Vegas casino. Gambling life is certainly hard and sometimes unpleasant, but in most cases, it can be a fun place to be. And this is something that reflects the reality. Gambling can definitely be fun if you check casino reviews for Australian gamblers and do not dive into it from the very first go.
4. Casablanca
- Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Sydney Greenstreet
- Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Sydney Greenstreet
- Directed: Michael Curtiz
Casablanca is a 1942 film that stars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman as Rick and Ilsa. It’s the story of a US airman in love with Ilsa, who gets caught up in a world of intrigue while trying to escape the Nazis and return to his wife. In order to make the story interesting, the film includes a series of subplots that highlight the character’s different motivations for traveling to Casablanca.
There are some great characters in the film. However, it’s Bogart’s performance that really stands out as he plays the role of a sympathetic and empathetic character who tries to understand the plight of those around him, despite having to deal with conflict and adversity on a daily basis.
5. The Color of Money
- Paul Newman, Steve McQueen
- Cast: Paul Newman, Steve McQueen
- Directed: Martin Scorsese
The Color of Money is an American crime thriller film that stars Paul Newman and Alec Baldwin. It’s a story about a young con artist who goes from being a hustler to becoming one of the world’s most notorious bank robbers. The movie is full of great performances, particularly from its lead actors. Both Newman and McQueen give great performances as two very different characters, but it’s Baldwin who really shines in the role of a career con artist who has the guts to get away with any crime he commits.
Both men excel in the role, but McQueen is the standout. He delivers some fantastic lines of dialogue and a few moments in the film are full of emotion and heart. Baldwin is able to give a full-bodied performance, with some great moments of comedy, and it’s not hard to see why he is still one of the great comedians of all time.
6 – The Thomas Crown Affair
- George Hamilton, Raquel Welch
- Cast: George Hamilton, Raquel Welch
- Directed: John Derek
The Thomas Crown Affair is an American neo-noir action comedy film that stars George Hamilton and Raquel Welch as two young lovers who plan to steal the Crown jewels from an art gallery. The film offers a fun look at a robbery that takes place in Las Vegas, with the police pursuing the couple while they are getting away.
There are many funny moments throughout the film that include the two leading characters, but they are mostly funny as they try to keep their relationship a secret from the public. Hamilton’s performance is the main reason the film is enjoyable to watch, but Welch is also very likable and this gives the film a good comedic punch. If you are a gambler from New Zealand, you will definitely enjoy the film as it dives deep into many aspects of gambling.
