With its thrills and spills, twists and turns, there's no surprise the casino floor is such a recurring motif for Hollywood blockbusters. The gambling hot spots of countries and cities all around the world have been showcased in a variety of ways on the silver screen, from the high-rolling tables of Monte Carlo to the backroom gaming of New Orleans.
In celebration of the global casino scene on the movie screen, we've toured the world to showcase how gaming floors are depicted and presented in different cinematic locations.
LAS VEGAS – OCEAN’S ELEVEN (2001)
Where better to start than in Sin City itself, Las Vegas. This iconic gamers' paradise is famed for its love of all things casino, with the Strip being home to 43 casinos. So surely Las Vegas is the perfect location for a gang of criminals to break into a casino vault and take all of its money? Farfetched in reality, yes, but the plan in Ocean's Eleven makes for the perfect film plot in the eyes of the viewer.
We see three of the city's most famous casinos – the Bellagio, the MGM Grand and the Mirage – all with a similar décor synonymous with Vegas. The grand entrances are filled with the marble-effect statues and pillars, to add that touch of class to the venue. In true Vegas style, we see the casino's interior adorned with flashing lights and packed with hundreds of tables and wheels, and row after row of slot machines. Unlike the tables of Monte Carlo, getting a bit of privacy isn’t the easiest thing here.
There’s nothing subtle about how Vegas casinos are decorated – the more flamboyant, the better. Rather than the plain flooring seen elsewhere, we see an abundance of patterned carpets running through the casinos, with the only smooth tiles seen in the entrance – perhaps to give a more grand appearance at first glance.
Showcasing the glitz and glamour of the casino scene,Oceans catches Vegas at its finest.
MACAU – SKYFALL (2012)
The small Chinese peninsula of Macau has become a casino hotspot over the years, with revellers travelling from around the globe to try their hand at the region's blackjack tables and roulette wheels.
No cinematic casino list would be complete without an appearance from 007 himself. Rather than the Eastern Europe location of Montenegro, Sky fall saw James Bond travel further afield to the gaming of haven of Macau.
Set in the fictional Golden Dragon Casino, we get a taste of a more oriental-styled décor as Bond approaches the casino. Arriving on a small wooden boat, the water is laden with Chinese lanterns and floating candles and the exterior of the floating casino is illuminated by golden lighting and lit up dragon heads, all giving the venue a touch of class and luxury. As you'd expect, the casino is of the highest quality and where you'd find only elite gamers.
A bridge, fit with Komodo dragons in the pit beneath, leads into the gaming floor – something you'd be highly unlikely to see anywhere else on this globe trotting casino tour. Contrasting to Vegas, the lighting is very subtle, almost making it seem like dusk in the venue. The table lights hang very low, only a couple of inches where the players' cards are set, giving the gaming floor a far more tranquil feel – perhaps a way to make it more difficult to read your opponents' tell. The Golden Dragon obviously has pride in its décor, with all the furnishings – from the tables to the hand-railing – being immaculately sculptured from fine woods and metals.
But don't let this peaceful gaming spot fool you, it can turn into a melting pot of intensity within seconds, as our favourite secret agent finds out!
MONTENEGRO –CASINO ROYALE (2006)
At just under 14,000km2 in size and renowned for its stunning Adriatic coastline and mountainous canyons, a high-stakes casino game is the last thing you’d expect in the Balkan country of Montenegro. Daniel Craig's first outing as the spy in Casino Royale brought with it a much grittier portrayal of working for Her Majesty's Secret Service, a recurring theme throughout the next three encounters under the actor's stewardship.
He is entered into a Texas Hold 'Em tournament, but rather than the high-rolling cities famed for their spinning roulette wheels and rolling dice like Vegas or Monte Carlo, the game takes place in the unique European location of Montenegro at the eponymous Casino Royale.
You might have expected a backstreet gaming venue seen in New York throughout Rounders, but you'd be mistaken. This grand Montenegrin casino would easily hold its own against the finest in the world. The venue breathes sophistication, with delicately carved pillars from floor to roof and tasselled light fittings dangling from the ceiling above the tables. The colour scheme of rich green, brown and cream creates a calming atmosphere for gamers in this private room, and the large chairs make those playing comfortable.
It's not just those playing who reap the benefits of the Casino Royale's class – the audience sit around marble-topped tables, with wall-mounted chandeliers adding to the venue's ambience.
NEW YORK CITY – ROUNDERS (1998)
In stark contrast to the grand tables of Montenegro and Macau, Rounders focuses much more on the underground gambling scene of New York City. Renowned for being "the city that never sleeps", NYC is a metropolis of tourism and attractions and is one hell of an action-packed city. But throughout Rounders, we see a different side to the Big Apple, far away from the bright lights of Times Square.
A tale of cheating, threats and natural card playing skill, the John Dahl epic offers a unique twist on the Hollywood high-rolling casino scene. As a highly-skilled poker player, Mike McDermott (played by Matt Damon) showcases the dark side of gambling like a pro, winning game after game. Unlike the other casinos on this list, these gaming hideouts in Roundersaren't legitimate and showcase the cruel underbelly of New York's gangster scene, including the lengths gamers would go to in order to try and pay off debts, or prey on the weak and vulnerable.
The gambling hall where we see Mike lose $30,000 is far from your traditional casino – in fact, it couldn’t be further from it. More like the haunts seen in The Cincinnati Kid, it's a backstreet parlour with no dealers, no style and no class. Mismatched furniture makes up the tables, with every player sitting on a different style of chair. The dim lighting makes for a more intimidating atmosphere, with fittings hanging above the tables joined by a few lamps across the rest of the room.
There's no décor on the walls, just stripped concrete, making the venue seem even more fearsome and corrupt – it’s the epitome of backstreet gaming. The remains of the building's former use are still evident, with the scuffed and chipped concrete designs on the lower halves of the walls still being there, but nowhere near their former glory. Putting it bluntly, it’s a rundown, old place that has taken up a main role in New York's underground gambling scene – a far cry from the other casinos we’ve visited on our global gaming tour.
LONDON – CROUPIER (1998)
Set in one of the world's most iconic cities, Croupier tells the drama and deceit of London's casino floor. With monuments including Big Ben and the House of Parliament, as well as being home to the Queen and Buckingham Palace, London has a sense of history and class about it.
The film depicts a classic casino floor with croupiers looking well-kept in tuxedos, fine décor and some serious gamers. The neo-noir genre gives the film that extra edge of sophistication, with the inner monologues (popular in noir detective films) drawing the audience into Jack's life and the ways of the casino.
But the gamers come across very differently to those playing on the lively Vegas strip or in New York’s underground dens. The players rarely react to a win, nor communicate with one another – there’s a far more subdued atmosphere and ambience.
The casino walls in Croupierare made from a reflective, silver material – something you wouldn't expect in a gaming venue. Maybe an underhand trick to keep the gamers in the venue for a long as possible? The tables are in the classic casino style – tortoise-shell wood finish, varnished to add to the luxurious style, and topped with a blue cloth rather than the traditional green colour.
NEW ORLEANS – THE CINCINNATI KID(1965)
In the heart of the USA's Deep South is New Orleans, a city famed its diverse cultures, vibrant atmosphere and spectacular nightlife. Nicknamed "the Big Easy", you'll find New Orleans has a laid back demeanour about it, epitomising its relaxed nature.
Set three decades before its release date, The Cincinnati Kiddepicts a post-depression New Orleans and follows the story of a young poker player. Starring the legendary Steve McQueen, this film shows both sides of the casino scene – the gritty backstreet games taking place in basements, and the big bucks of the high-rollers.
We first see Eric 'the Kid' Stoner's card-playing ability while he’s sat round a small kitchen table with a bunch of amateurs – hardly the place you'd expect to see a man with his poker-playing ability. But he's confident and cool, despite the surrounding pots, pans and stoves, as he lays his cards down on the table – a vision a million miles away from the class and sophistication of Monte Carlo.
As he makes a reputation for himself, Kid plays in classier establishments – no more so than the Lafayette Hotel for his face-off with Lancey Howard. In true 1930's fashion, the room is inspired by the Art-deco movement, from the coloured-glass light fittings hanging above the tables to the draped curtains round the doors and the intricately-carved wooden chairs the players sit on. In the classic casino style, the gaming surface is a round table, with players sat at both sides, and onlookers watching.
Even though he (spoiler alert!) goes on to lose the big game, at least he has the experience of playing in such an upper-class environment.
CRYSTAL RIVER – MAVERICK (1994)
Okay, we admit it, this is a fictional place – but it’s still a real representation of what the casino scene was like in America's Wild Western era. Away from exotic locations like Macau, we're out on the dusty plains of the USA, where trouble and cheating rules the roost on the gaming tables. Unlike the cities of today, Crystal River sits out in the desert on its own, with the neighbouring areas a fair trek away.
Evident in most spaghetti westerns, wood is a prominent theme of the décor, and Maverick is no exception. With gas lamps hanging from the ceilings and walls, Bret Maverick is truly under the heat of the lights during his card games. Whilst building up his funds to enter the big five-card draw tournament, Bret's gambling takes place in the local saloons, around small cramped tables with several opponents all surrounding him – not to dissimilar to the tables seen in The Cincinnati Kid.
The big tournament itself is held in a much more high-calibre venue, a paddle steamer boat. Taking place in the boat's grand hall, the décor is finely carved from wood from roof to floor, with metal fixtures and fittings used to give the establishment that extra touch of class. The hall is something much more like a modern day casino, thanks to its grand attention to detail and beautifully sculptured materials.
MONTE CARLO – THE GOOD THIEF (2002)
The French Riviera is famed for its chic décor and sophistication, with Monte Carlo being the playground of the rich and famous. Situated in the principality of Monaco, this metropolis of the finer things in life makes it the perfect location for a gambling haven – and for a casino film.
The elegance of Monte Carlo's casino is captured throughout 2002's caper story The Good Thief, starring Nick Nolte. Although the plot follows a drug-riddled thief, the underlying theme of gambling is evident throughout, with the end heist taking part in one of the city's venues. But the interior design is very different compared to other casinos seen on the global cinematic scene – it's far more decadent and luxurious.
As Bob Montagnet sits at the gaming tables, the only colour we see is white – on the walls, floors and chairs - a stark contrast to the casinos we see in Croupier. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling above the tables so the gamers can see their cards, something more fitting for a palace than a casino hall. The tables aren't cramped together, but spread out across the grand room to make it feel more like you're playing in an intimate area than a hall filled with hundreds of other players.
From what you see in The Good Thief, you can tell Monte Carlo is only for the elite and the happy-go-lucky atmosphere of Las Vegas wouldn't be welcome in this beautifully decorated gaming arena.
From the dark underbelly of New York City, to the razzle dazzle of Las Vegas, our globe-trotting tour of cinematic casinos shows just how the gambling scene differs around the world. There’s danger, there’s glamour, there’s winners and losers, and who doesn’t want to watch that?
