High-stake auctions and lucrative casino winnings usually make the headlines given the millions of players who explore the infamous pastime. Movie production companies know the impact of gambling, which is why many casino-themed movies exist. While classical movies depict the traditional experiences in brick-and-mortar entertainment hubs, modern movies feature everything from three-reel fruit machine slots in resort casinos to online platforms and sports betting. Here’s a look at some gambling-based movies to watch on Netflix and other streaming platforms in 2024:

Casino Royale: Millennium Favorite

Released in 2006, Casino Royale is another classic movie of the 2000s, made popular by being the first movie in the Daniel Craig era and the 21^st film franchise. The British spy movie involves Bond preventing a terrorist banker from winning and humiliating casino clients. Daniel Craig stars as James Bond in his first mission as Agent 007. One of the memorable scenes is when Bond takes on his adversary in an all-or-nothing game featuring furious pace and jaw-dropping poker strategies. The story also has other unique storylines involving Bond falling in love with a treasury agent played by Vesper Lynd. Casino Royale was a box office hit and is critically acclaimed as one of the top gambling movies in the industry.

Casino: Best of the 1990s

As one of the most famous gambling movies, Casino (1995) immerses you in a classic Las Vegas scene with slot machines table games, and the gaming floor. The movie is about mob-controlled casino gambling in Vegas and how the Mafia influenced the evolution of the industry in the region. Its intense action sequences provide edge-of-the-seat experiences for viewers while reminding true punters of modern gambling experiences. The movie stars Robert De Niro as a casino owner with mafia ties and Joe Pesci as a psychotic enforcer. Viewers also get to enjoy charming performances from Sharon Stone and a rich story that makes Casino a memorable classic movie.

21: A Strategist’s Go To

Set in the era before the top online casinos were a thing, 21 is a modern classic and a remarkable play based on a true story. The movie involves modern casino gambling, where a math professor trains students to count cards in major Las Vegas Strip casinos. Their card-counting skills result in massive wins and fuel adrenaline and fast-paced trickery. The casino scene is all about blackjacks, but the story develops complex attributes of the actors and actresses. Kevin Spacey plays the math professor at MIT, recruiting talented students to the blackjack team. Other stars include Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishburne, and Liza Lapira, among others. The movie, like most in this list, was a Box Office success.

Molly’s Game: A Modern Outlook

Released in 2017, Molly’s Game is a modern biographical drama about what the gambling scene entails. The story is based on Molly Bloom’s 2024 memoir and stars Molly, played by Jessica Chastain, as a waitress who ends up becoming a casino croupier running poker games at the Cobra Lounge. Molly Bloom misses out on her Olympics qualification after suffering a spinal injury. She ends up becoming a waitress before getting entangled with a Russian mob. Although the FBI catches up with her, an astute lawyer, Charlie, played by Idris Elba, helps her avoid prison. Molly’s Game is an immersive movie with diverse perspectives and thrilling casino floor scenes.

Key Takeaways

Casino gambling has been a popular pastime for years, especially today, where players have instant access to hundreds of websites and apps offering real money wagers. Players can also claim lucrative bonuses across multiple sites and enjoy games on the go through their smartphones, tablets, and laptops. As the casino industry evolves to accommodate virtual reality, AI, and other technologies, players and movie enthusiasts can expect new experiences and characterizations in modern TV shows and films.