The 20 Best Casino/Gambling Movies December 2024

The high-stakes action, spectacular winnings, tremendous drama, and extreme emotional swings in gambling movies have captivated audiences for decades. We know that many individuals who bet online also enjoy watching movies and TV shows in their spare time, and the entertainment industry has provided us with countless iconic casino movies.

As a result, we’ve produced a list of the top 20 casino/gambling movies to watch online. For your convenience, we have broken down the best casino movies into 10 distinct categories, each with two suggestions, so you can find the perfect one for your viewing pleasure.

The best Classic Casino Dramas

The entertainment begins with authentic, traditional casino dramas. These movies have captivated viewers for decades and are consistently ranked as the best casino movies to watch on a night in.

1. Casino (1995)

This classic Hollywood casino flick has everything you'd expect: mobsters, money, and Las Vegas.

Robert Deniro and Joe Pesci feature in the 1995 film "Casino," directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Universal Pictures.

The incredible tale of the Mafia's involvement in the burgeoning Las Vegas gambling business is based on actual events.

Throughout Casino, you'll be on the edge of your seat because of the thrilling drama presented on screen.

It features intense action, shootouts, debt collection, money laundering, and fascinating looks at the inside workings of land-based casinos and mob activity in the 1970s.

2. The Gambler (1974)

Paramount Pictures' 'The Gambler' is a dramatic depiction of the highs and lows in the gambling industry.

James Cann plays Axel Freed, a professor with a gambling problem and an intense bond with his students, in this 1974 debut.

It's an insightful peek in to the psyche of a gambler, showing how far some will go to recoup their losses.

After Axel racks up more and more debt, he takes thousands of dollars and goes on a gambling binge in Las Vegas. Getting kidnapped and made to cause a student to lose points in a basketball game.

This player agrees to the terms and reduces the points in the game, saving Axel by allowing the mob to recoup their losses.

High-Stakes Thrillers

Now it’s time to explore some intriguing high limit thrillers. These films will have you clutching your seat, wondering what happens next, in productions that portray the highs and lows of real money gambling.

3. Uncut Gems (2019)

The 2019 release of Uncut Gems makes it one of the best gambling movies on Netflix. It stars Adam Sandler as Howard Ratner, a manic New York jeweller passionate about sports betting.

In this thrilling story, Howard is a compulsive gambler with massive debt and is looking for a quick way to repay it. When NBA superstar Kevin Garnett pops into his jewellery shop, he strikes a deal, starting a series of shocking events.

After pawning a priceless ring, he uses the money to make a parlay bet on the star's successful performance in an upcoming game.

The bet wins, but the loan sharks are out to get him, blocking the wagering and resulting in a shockingly violent climax.

4. California Split (1974)

In 1974, Robert Altman directed California Spirit, a film about gambling based on the experiences of Joseph Walsh.

There's high-stakes gambling and essential lessons about dependency, friendship, and acceptable behaviour.

Bill "Denny" Denny and Charlie "Waters," played by George Segal and Elliot Gould, respectively, become fast friends after an intense game of live cards.

Addiction forces them to continually hunt for the best action. As they hang out, their habits rub off on each other, and they move from bar to club to card room.

They've run up huge gambling debts, so they decide to go to Reno and win it back on a poker game.

While gambling, they experienced a run of luck, earning almost $80,000. Bill abandons his gambling habit for good, splitting the profits and walking away.

Classic Hustling Films

The best casino movies often portray people who need to make money fast, and hustling has always been a popular choice for many seeking quick riches. Experience the rush of seeing famous actors and actresses put it all on the line in these classic flicks about hustlers who gamble.

5. The Hustler (1961)

An iconic film, The Hustler, depicts the determination and mindset of traditional pool hustlers. The US Film Registry preserved this 1961 masterpiece starring Paul Newman.

Paul plays the role of Fast Eddie Nelson, a billiards amateur who takes on the pro-Minnesota Fats.

Eddie gets a taste of high limit wins after he and his opponent raise the stakes on pool games to over $1,000 after a long betting session.

Eddie is left in disbelief after the pro quickly wins his cash back. He then starts engaging in various forms of street hustling to rebuild his bankroll for the next challenge.

His friend Bert (George Scott) agrees to stake Eddie for a high return. Allowing Eddie to play Fats in a final game filled with up-and-down wins.

It finishes in a dramatic fashion that many won't see coming and shows the raw emotions attached to gambling.

6. Molly's Game (2017)

Molly's Game is one of the newest Netflix gambling movies based on a true story. It's directed by Aaron Sorkin and stars Jessica Chastain as Molly Bloom, an aspiring underground poker host, in a typically male-dominated betting scene.

Molly starts work at a bar, where she meets Dean, a businessman who hosts poker games for high-limit gamblers.

Molly begins her career in the high-stakes industry as a host, where she learns the ropes. She gains the respect of players, which results in generous tips she saves.

Molly moves on to host her own private games. After a successful run in New York, her life spirals out of control from the stress of gambling and mobsters, resulting in her eventual arrest.

Poker-Centric Films

In this section, we explore poker based films that capture the action and excitement of these popular casino games, with high-stakes bets, dramatic card-flopping action, and unbeatable gambling entertainment.

7. The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

Norman Jewison's The Cincinnati Kid is a 1995 film starring Steve McQueen as a budding five-card stud poker player, Eric Stoner.

The film occurs during the Great Depression and chronicles Eric's early life as he learns to play card games. The excellent drama unfolds as he practices poker and attempts to track down Lancey "The Man" Howard, a professional player.

The film's plot revolves around a six-player game of five-card studs with Lancey and Norman. Norman's need for higher stakes means the game is always exciting.

As the game progresses, players are eliminated individually until only Lancey and Norman are left in a final head-to-head showdown. Who will emerge victorious and take home the pot?

8. Rounders (1998)

The underground poker scene in the 1990s, before the advent of online poker, is shown in the classic film Rounders. It's one of the best casino movies on Netflix, and it's sure to bring out the hustler in any card player.

Law student and skilled poker player Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) is pals with Lester Murphy (Edward Norton). Mike has vowed to devote his attention to his studies after he lost $30,000 in a poker game.

Mike tries to help Lester, who is in debt, by accompanying him to several games and staking him, increasing his debts. Mike has to act quickly; the Russian Mafia is hot on his trail.

To clear his name, he does what he does best and hits the tables, winning money at various games until a heads-up match with a gangster, where he ends with $60,000+ and heads for the WSOP.

Character-Driven Casino Stories

Award-winning performances by actors are a hallmark of many of the best gambling movies. If you're interested in exploring the inner workings of a gambler's mind, we recommend these character-focused flicks.

9. Hard Eight (1996)

Hard Eight features Philip Baker Hall as Sydney Brown, an ageing man who befriends and mentors the homeless John Finnigan, played brilliantly by John C Reilly.

It shows the differences between people in society and the strong bonds they form as Phillip teaches John the ropes of how to gamble.

However, exciting characters pop up during their journey, including Gweneth Paltrow as Clementine, the cocktail waitress who dazzles many.

Hard Eight features dramatic scenes mixed with exciting card games in Vegas and highlights the lengths two people will go to in life's journey.

10. The Cooler (2003)

William H. Macy stars as Bernie Lootz, the unluckiest man in Las Vegas and an infamous "Casino Cooler," in The Cooler, a film exploring another gaming side.

The local casinos are a perfect fit, where he brings terrible luck to other players. He leaves and starts dating Natalie (Maria Bello), hoping to change his fortune.

After a series of dramatic scenes in which his friends rack up several debts, he eventually returns to Vegas, playing craps to repay the deadly Shelly (Alec Baldwin) over $150,000.

But will his bets cover the debts, or will his hot streak run out? Alec Baldwin and Maria Bello received Golden Globe nominations for supporting roles and outstanding performances in this gambling classic.

Stylish Heist and Crime Movies

The top gambling movies contain elements of crime and the underworld and often feature action-packed heists, car pursuits, and shootouts for the perfect mix of entertainment.

11. Ocean's Eleven (2001)

Oceans Eleven, directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring a stellar cast, is one of the greatest casino movies on Netflix because of its exciting casino heist plot and beautiful cinematography.

It premiered in 2001 with an all-star cast that included George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Julia Roberts, and Scott Cann.

It's an exciting tale about specialists from different backgrounds who get together to plunder the Bellagio casino vault in Las Vegas.

Although gambling isn't the film's main subject, it occurs in Las Vegas and often rates in the top 20 list of the best casino movies.

In Oceans Eleven, the cast delivers award-winning performances as they try to outwit the casino's security, empty the vault, and escape with $150,000,000.

12. Croupier (1998)

Clive Owen stars as Jack Manfred, a casino croupier, in Croupier. This film is highly regarded by lovers of the best British casino movies.

Jack's gradual personality shift and loss of emotional control led to an affair with his girlfriend after becoming immersed in the gambling lifestyle.

He makes friends with a regular player and becomes involved in a plot to distract the workers at the casino during a heist for a £20,000 cut.

How feasible is this strategy? Is it doomed to succeed or not? Check out this film about gambling to find out.

Modern-day Gambling Dramas

Here are some of the newest chart toppers on our list. There isn't a dull moment in these modern gambling dramas, making them some of the best gambling movies ever made.

13. The Card Counter (2021)

Hitting screens in 2021, The Card Counter was written and directed by Paul Schrader and gives a glimpse into the life of a professional card counter, William Tell (Oscar Isaac).

After a dark past puts him in military prison, he learns to count cards to pass the time and stay out of trouble. After release, he uses his new skills to travel to the best casinos, earning substantial money.

Tell goes to the World Series of Poker to win enough money to retire and pay off his friend's debt. However, he is forced to leave the final table after a sequence of disturbing incidents to save his friend's life.

Action, drama, and horrific moments pepper The Card Counter, a film about gambling with emotion, reflecting the ups and downs of this gambler's journey on the path of redemption.

14. Mississippi Grind (2015)

Ryan Reynolds plays Curtis Vaughn, a young gambler with a penchant for thrills and a poker talent, in the 2015 film Mississippi Grind.

He meets Gerry (Benn Mendelsohn), a down-and-out gambler who owes a lot of money and becomes fast friends with him at a casino.

Together, they embark on a gambling journey down the Mississippi, aiming for the high-stakes poker tables in New Orleans.

On the road, they get into all sorts of mischief, including a Texas Hold 'em loss, the sale of Gerry's automobile, and a crazy horse race bet, nearly losing it all.

After a streak, the two keep winning at the slots and the tables until they have almost $250,000, decide to divide the loot and go their own ways.

Casino/Gambling Comedy Movies

Gambling movies often highlight the darker aspects of life. However, we’ve found two great casino/gambling comedy movies that will leave you in stitches.

15. The Hangover (2009)

For gambling comedies, it’s hard for any to beat The Hangover and the follow up sequels.

Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis play as three single men who go on an adventure in Las Vegas in this 2009 comedy directed by Todd Phillips.

They get drunk and into all sorts of trouble, including stealing Mike Tyson's tiger and a police cruiser, as is expected on a boys' trip.

The Hangover is set in Las Vegas and shows the lighter side of the drunken antics in the gambling city's land-based casinos.

16. Vegas Vacation (1997)

Vegas Vacation, directed by Steven Kessler, is a classic among casino movies that follows a family vacationing to Sin City.

Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, receives a large bonus and takes his family on a memorable cross-country vacation when his invention is granted a patent.

Rusty (Ethan Embry), one of the travellers, has a string of good luck, including winning four automobiles at different slot machines.

Clark develops a gambling habit at a casino. He wastes the family's money gambling, illustrating the depth of the addiction.

In a series of comedic side excursions, the family befriends a lonely elderly man. Before he dies suddenly, he leaves his winning lottery ticket for them to claim, turning their fortune around.

Casino/Gambling Crime Thrillers

After looking at the funnier films, we explore the darker side of casino movies and gambling movies by going through some of the best crime thrillers with gripping scenes and crazy plots.

17. Heat (1995)

The 1995 film Heat, directed by Michael Mann, stars Al Pacino and Robert Deniro as cops on opposite sides of the law, Vicent Hanna and Neil McCauley.

Neil is a career burglar specialising in stealing bearer bonds, money, and other valuables. While Vincent, an LAPD lieutenant, takes chase hot on his tail.

They begin a cat-and-mouse game that depicts two brilliant minds battling it out in captivating, action-packed scenes.

During the group's final theft, an epic series of events unfolds as the LAPD closes in on Neil and his accomplices, and he must decide if he's willing to risk all in this suspenseful thriller.

18. 21 (2008)

Jim Sturgess stars as Ben Campell, an MIT student with his sights set on Harvard, in the 2008 film 21 by director Robert Luketic.

When he finds that he can't afford the $300,000 tuition, his lecturer, Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey), notices his skills and invites him to join their underground blackjack club, hunting for new casinos to hit.

Jim and his bright classmates learn card counting and use it to their advantage in casinos. After receiving complaints from the casino's security staff, Cole Williams plans to stop the squad.

The film "21" provides an inside look into the high-rolling lifestyle of professional card counters, complete with luxury, and the dangers they face from casino security and close friends.

Timeless Classics

Here, we uncover some timeless classics, movies that, for over a decade, are still loved and watched worldwide. Often, these titles include themes and scenes that make them the best gambling movies on Netflix.

19. The Sting (1973)

The best casino movies, like George Roy Hill's 1973 masterpiece The Sting, combine elements like action, crime, drama, and gambling for an exciting viewing experience.

Over $159 million was made from its release, making it a huge success. The movie stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford as Shaw and Kelly, a pair of gambling cons who team up to pull off scams and heists.

Poker games and intriguing long-shot bets at off-track betting courses are only some gambling activities in The Sting.

Along the way, the two pull off many daring stunts, such as placing a $500,000 wager on a 4-1 long shot bet. The twists and turns draw you in and make you wonder what happens next.

20. Casino Royale (2006)

Casino Royale is the first James Bond film and the second title to join the UK’s best casino movies on Netflix. The film, directed by Martin Campbell, is an adaptation of the 1953 novel Casino Royale.

From the very first scene, Casino Royale has all the classic action and drama that Bond movies are known for. Daniel Craig stars as James Bond, a spy dispatched to Africa who uncovers a terrorist conspiracy on a global scale.

Using cutting-edge spy equipment, he fights worldwide before facing up against Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen).

The action primarily occurs in an exclusive high stakes VIP poker club. The film does a great job of depicting the tense atmosphere, accurate gameplay, and subtle cues and tells which make poker such a thrilling game of skill.