What to Put on the TV When You Want to Feel the Thrill From Gambling
From Las Vegas glamour to dingy backrooms where money is won and lost, casino-themed films and TV shows hold eternal appeal. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best titles to watch, binge-watch or store in your DVD collection if you love the rush of the gamble.
There’s something compelling about casinos. Perhaps it’s the neon lights, the high-stakes gambles or the combination of opulence and risk that attracts us. On screen, they’re the ideal setting for tales of ambition, fortune, betrayal and redemption.
Both Hollywood and television have documented the heist drama, character-driven drama and game of high stakes over the years. There’s something for everyone here, whether one enjoys traditional heists, high-stakes games or character-driven dramas.
Live out the casino world at home
Before becoming immersed in all of these casino classics, you might want to try your own hand, from the couch in your living room. That’s where sites like Jackpot City casino login come in handy. It’s an online casino offering a wide range of games, from slots and live dealer games to crash and quick games. With a secure interface and popular picks like Aviator and themed slot titles, it recreates the thrill of Vegas in a seamless, safe digital environment.
Whether you’re watching Casino Royale or Ocean’s Eleven, having a quick spin on your favorite slot game can make your night even more exciting.
The gold standard of casino drama
You cannot discuss casino movies without Casino (1995), the Scorsese tour-de-force starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone. Set in 1970s Las Vegas, it’s a glamorous, gritty look at how organized crime once ran the city’s most glittering casinos.
De Niro’s portrayal of Sam “Ace” Rothstein is unforgettable, and Sharon Stone’s performance as Ginger was an Oscar nomination. The film is as much a tale of human weakness as of power and greed. If you still enjoy physical media, Casino is a necessity on Blu-ray for the bonus features alone.
Style, charm and Vegas lights
Few films have made casinos look so glamorous as Ocean’s Eleven (2001). Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon in the core team, the heist film is entertainment personified from start to finish. The plot follows Danny Ocean and his crew plotting to rob not one, but three Las Vegas casinos owned by a ruthless mogul.
The movie’s mix of cool characters, jazzy music and fast-paced editing makes it perfect for repeat viewings. Plus, its sequels, Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen, expand the fun with more globetrotting and bigger stakes. You can stream the Ocean’s trilogy on most major platforms, but if you’re a collector, the DVD box set looks great on the shelf next to your poker set.
The poker cult classic
Before Texas Hold’em’s recent explosion in popularity, Rounders (1998) was already celebrating the poker face as a work of art. With Matt Damon as a talented player trying to pay his way through law school while playing high-stakes poker and Edward Norton as his mercurial friend Worm, this film is a must-watch for anyone who has ever dealt a hand.
It’s realistic, intense and has a great mix of strategy and suspense. The underground poker scenes feel authentic, and John Malkovich’s portrayal of the intimidating “Teddy KGB” remains iconic. If you’ve ever felt that rush of a risky bet, this one will hit home.
Beating the house
Following the true-life story of the MIT Blackjack Team, 21 (2008) presents a group of students using math and strategy to take on Vegas. Starring Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey, it’s a sharp-tongued, fast-paced movie that has you wondering how far you’d go to make a fast buck.
It’s sleek, it’s stylish and it captures that intoxicating feeling of thinking you’ve found a foolproof system, until the tables turn. Perfect for a weekend stream or a late-night rewatch, 21 offers a mix of brains and adrenaline that’s hard to beat.
The queen of high stakes
Jessica Chastain gives one of her finest performances as Molly Bloom, a true-life business woman who hosted clandestine high-stakes poker games for Hollywood stars and Wall Street moguls.
Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, Molly’s Game (2017) is biting, witty and surprisingly emotional. It’s a high-stakes ride into what happens when desire and power collide in the squalid underworld of underground poker. Whether you watch it live or grab it on DVD, this one’s worth having in your collection.
A TV gem worth revisiting
If you want something to binge, NBC’s Las Vegas (2003-2008) is all entertainment. This sophisticated drama about a casino surveillance team facing everything from cheating gamblers to celebrity visitors stars James Caan and Josh Duhamel.
It’s enjoyable but with sufficient plot surprises to have you captivated. Think CSI crossed with Ocean’s Eleven, but with more champagne and neon lights. If you like to view something to binge over several nights, the five seasons of this show offer lots of glitz, glamour and fun.
Bond goes all in
Daniel Craig’s first outing as James Bond revitalized the series, and it all revolved around a high-risk poker match. Casino Royale (2006) combines action, spy craft and poker in one fantastic package.
The poker scenes are surprisingly realistic and emotionally charged, making it one of the best casino stories in modern cinema. You can see it in a casual way, but hardcore fans might enjoy the Blu-ray for its deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes commentary.
