We all know that sports betting allows individuals to make a quick quid, however it also provides for some great entertainment and story lines. We can totally understand how movies with this theme become an instant box office killing, as it certainly puts you on the edge of your seat while watching it.
We have managed to collate some of the best titles out there that we think are definitely worth a movie night or two, especially if you are into sports gambling yourself. However, if you are more into virtually living the moment, you can always find online gambling sites here too! Have the best of both worlds because, why not?
Silver Linings Playbook
First movie from our selections, this features some of the best actors in the business. We have Jennifer Lawrence who plays Tiffany, Bradley Cooper who plays Pat and Robert De Niro as Pat Senior, who is a gambling man that loves a punt more than anything. We all know this movie brings together the two sad stories shared by Tiffany and Pat. Yet, even when they try to get their acts together and contribute within a dance contest, Pat’s father cannot hold off on placing the bets and tries to wager off the doomed dancing scenario. Nevertheless, this movie was certainly great entertainment for you to tuck into at tea time.
Two For The Money
Whenever we hear of a movie that features Al Pacino, we know it means business. He is and always will be the favourite legendary character from Godfather to us – we are sure you will most definitely agree. This movie features another great actor, Matthew McConaughey, who plays the other central character in this movie. Brandon (McConaughey), was once a favourite for football within college. However, his injury causes his plans and career to completely fall off track and change course. Walter Abrams (Pacino) takes pity and decides to take Brandon under his wing and becomes the role model that Brandon has always yearned for. Despite Walter not being the best moral compass, Brandon soon becomes attached and develops a great talent for sports betting that he never thought existed at his command. This movie will show you however, that not everything is as it first appears and there is a lot more to expect from this story line. Obviously, we cannot give too much away here, can we?
Bookies
Well, from the name alone you will immediately see the relevance to sports betting, that is for sure. This movie has a divided interest in general, meaning you will either love it or hate it. It showcases college students that have a bit to spend at the bookies, and essentially the movie tails them around and allows you to relive their experience. After some consideration and successful winnings, the gang then decide to invest those winnings into their own bookies business. As the group of students reach huge successful highs and leaps, a neighbouring mafia group comes to cause quite the havoc, being that they do not appreciate the run for competition that they are making for themselves. The storyline is definitely a reasonably good one, with just-made-it actors such as Johnny Galecki from our favourite TV show, The Big Gang Theory.
Lay The Favourite
Could a gambling movie get any better than this? This movie is set within the Mecca of gambling, and that is Vegas. Of course, you will find that the classical actors and actresses such as Catherine Zeta Jones and Bruce Willis, make this movie a must see. Actors always are a giveaway to a movie’s credibility (most of the time). Dink (played by Bruce) is a sports bettor that has his own agency within the city of Lights. Tulip (Zeta Jones) is the wife of Dink, who has relished in the highlights of his success – including his money. Soon however, she suddenly realises she has some competition, as a woman named Beth turns up with a gambling talent of her own, but also falls in love with Dink, pretty badly. So, this movie essentially integrates love, gambling and so much more, in its twisted love story. You will definitely be there for all the highs and lows that the Lay the Favourite movie brings – that is fully guaranteed.
Owning Mahowny
This penultimate movie in our series is a movie based on true events that actually occurred. We will say that betting here is not the major focus of the movie, there are other plots that are actually involved here. The late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Dan Mahowny, who is a man that made headlines for the embezzlement of over $10 million within his work place. His huge addiction to gambling is a large reason as to why he made such catastrophic life decisions for himself, with both sports betting and casino tables being his downfall.
It is unfortunate that most movies that come from a place of real life drama and downfall, make for great viewing in Hollywood. This movie certainly attracted a Hollywood audience and beyond with its compelling dramas, and it always happens to be from a place that reflects gambling quite negatively unfortunately. Nevertheless, have your popcorn at the ready folks.
White Men Can’t Jump
This movie stars Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson, who are two basketball players trying to make it, in the ’90s. Their goal within this movie is to try and hustle, by making extra cash from the betting industry. Woody’s character is already in debt to a bookmaker that is threatening violence to solve the situation, so the movie really is thrilling and captivating from the get-go. Two players in the making who are resting all their odds in the hands of fate… ’90s movies always take our hearts.
