When it comes to the most iconic film characters, there’s no denying that secret agent James Bond is the cream of the crop. Always immaculately dressed, the sartorial male exudes wit and charm at every moment, and the films themselves have become synonymous with glitz, glamour and luxury.
This week, we saw the release of the latest instalment of the 007 story, which at two hours and 43 minutes in length, marks the culmination of a dramatic overarching storyline that initially began with current Bond actor Daniel Craig’s first Bond Film, Casino Royale, which was released back in 2006.
The film, which was set almost entirely against the opulent backdrop of an exclusive Venice casino, sparked a renewed interest in the casino scene, and No Time to Die has once again seen a surge in the number of people looking to place their bets and play their hands at poker, roulette and other popular casino games.
This time, we’ve seen a particular increase in the number of those opting to play online, with providers reporting more new sign-ups than ever. This is thought to, in part, be down to the ongoing lockdowns we’ve seen around the world, with many bricks-and-mortar casinos forced to close their doors for lengthy periods. This Videoslots review from Casinomeister has been viewed more times this year than ever before – and it seems that it’s a trend that is continuing to gather momentum even as life gradually returns to normal across the globe.
Nevertheless, it’s hard to beat the exclusivity and opulence of a night at a land-based casino, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that they have served as settings for numerous Bond movies. Here, we take a look back at some of the best 007 casino scenes of all time, and true to form, all iterations of our favourite secret agent walk away triumphant.
Casino Royale
Perhaps the most obvious inclusion is Casino Royale – which, rather than featuring just a scene or two set in a casino environment, is entirely based around the art of gambling. An indulgent film that sees Bond – who in this instance, is played by Daniel Craig – participating in some high-stakes games of Texas Hold’em poker in a bid to scoop an eye-watering prize pot of $115 million, and ultimately succeeding in doing so. The secret agent is just as smooth as you’d expect, and the highlight is of course, seeing him outwit the villainous Le Chiffre. To top it off, he also gets the girl he has set his sights on – because let’s face it, when doesn’t he?
Diamonds Are Forever
Featuring a star-studded cast including Sean Connery as the eponymous Bond and Lana Wood as the object of his affection, Diamonds Are Forever remains one of the most notable 007 movies to date, and most will remember the iconic Shirley Bassey soundtrack by which it is instantly recognisable. In a story that unfolds against the backdrop of the bright lights of Vegas, we see Bond settling in for the night at the craps table in a bid not just to scoop the backdrop, but to seduce leading lady Plenty O’Toole to boot. Needless to say, he succeeds in achieving both, walking away with the tidy sum of $65,000 in his pocket – although not before handing over $5,000 to Plenty, which does more than enough to appease her and win him her approval.
Goldeneye
Featuring Pierce Brosnan as Bond, this 1995 box office hit does an expert job in highlighting the glitz and glamour that is often associated with a night at the casino. Serving as the perfect backdrop against which to build a captivating storyline with plenty of suspense throughout and all of the thrill that Bond films are known for, this blockbuster film makes the most of Monaco’s sophisticated gambling scene – with Bond taking on Russian agent Xenia Onatopp in a gripping game of baccarat in a game that is peppered with tension and keeps viewers hooked until its dramatic climax.
Dr No
The first, and arguably the most iconic James Bond film features Sean Connery as the secret agent, and sees him visiting a lavish casino for little more than a quick game of Chemin de Fer to pass the time. But just as you’d expect, things aren’t quite as simple as intended, and from the get-go we see temptress Sylvia Trench keeping a close eye on him before eventually engineering a meeting. The now famous 007 catchphrase, ‘Bond, James Bond’ is also heard in Dr No for the first time.
Octopussy
1983 blockbuster Octopussy may well have been one of the most glamorous Bond films so far, and sees the agent’s tracking of token villain Kamal Khan take him to a casino in India. Portrayed by Roger Moore, Bond participates in a high-stakes game of backgammon that sees him entering a bet for 500,000 rupees and a Faberge egg – of course using his wit, charm and impressive know-how to outwit Khan by using his own loaded device and leaving the villain furious and vowing to exact his revenge.
Please gamble responsibly (18+ UK) – check age restrictions before participating
