There’s nothing quite like the glitz and glamour of a night at the casino, and from the sophisticated dress code to the luxurious interiors, everything about them screams Hollywood. It’s little wonder, then, that many of the world’s finest casinos have actually made it onto the big screen, having featured in some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters of all time and making for the perfect backdrop for all of the drama and action.
Storylines set in the Roaring Twenties, in particular, have lent themselves well to the casino backdrop, which were seen as a motif of the extravagant life that the wealthy were enjoying at that time. With the James Bond franchise, however, they were slowly but surely brought into the modern age, fast becoming a regular appearance in the film series and becoming synonymous with the style and sophistication with which Bond films are associated.
From Ocean’s Eleven to Casino Royale, we’ve seen stars including Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Daniel Craig and Eva Green putting on a stellar performance in some of the most epic casino setting in Las Vegas – with Sin City’s hot spots making up the majority – although not all – of those you might have seen on screen.
Believe it or not, there are likely numerous interesting gambling movie facts you didn’t know. Here are some of the most famous casinos you might have seen on the big screen so far – and you can visit each of them in real life to get a reel feel for that electric atmosphere.
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
In recent years, perhaps the most famous casino to grace our screens – and one that we’d struggle to forget – is Caesars Palace, which formed one of the central settings of Hollywood comedy blockbuster, The Hangover in 2009. There’s no denying that this film detracted somewhat from the sophistication of it all thanks to its hilarious and often cringe-worthy storyline.
Located on the western side of the city, Caesars Palace features beautiful ancient Roman-inspired architecture, as perhaps you’d expect from the name. Part of another mega resort, it comprises some of the most luxurious and spacious suites on the block and one of the best gaming experiences in the city.
The Mirage, Las Vegas
Shooting to fame when it featured in 1997 movie release, Vegas Vacation, the opulent Mirage remains one of the most renowned casinos on the strip today, and is part of a super resort which is home to a sprawling hotel and a plethora of glamorous restaurants and bars.
The city has been long replaced by Macau as the gambling capital of the world, the frenzy circulating the casinos in Vegas remains the same. And soon after the movie released, people started rushing into the casino, and that has remained the trend even to this day.
The Bellagio, Las Vegas
Famed for its appearance in iconic heist movie and cult classic Ocean’s Eleven, the opulent Bellagio made for quite the backdrop. The movie itself went on to spark more than one sequel thanks to its meteoric success, and with a star-studded cast and epic storyline that saw the likes of Brad and George take down the casino for all it was worth, the grandeur of this spectacular Vegas casino certainly didn’t go unnoticed.
Planet Hollywood Casino, Las Vegas
In a movie that delighted thrill-seeking blackjack players the world over, the Planet Hollywood Casino was at the heart of the 2008 movie, 21, with a plot revolving around card counting within the game. Featuring an impressive range of slots and table games, it certainly warrants a visit in real life, too, so if you’re yearning for a casino getaway after all this time spent in lockdown, then book yourself a ticket to Vegas and make this place one of the first on your list to place your bets at.
Please gamble responsibly (18+ UK) – check age restrictions before participating
