by Enzo Callas
As something that has been around for literal centuries, games have inspired many people outside of their core industry. With some games being hundreds of years old, they have changed through time alongside technological, societal, and behavioural improvements in our communities. It was, therefore, only a matter of time before they started appearing in media and art, especially video entertainment. There are plenty of books about it, but the end of the 20th and the 21st centuries are all about visual stimulation.
Movies and TV series have long been inspired by poker, roulette, slots, and other games, as well as sports betting. Now, in the modern era where content can be made on just about anything, it makes sense to review some of the best gambling and betting movies that fans of online casinos and sportsbooks can enjoy. Read on to learn about some of the most successful and popular adaptations, and make sure to visit https://www.bety.com/ when you wish to play the games and wager.
Casino (1995)
This crime drama by the legend himself, Martin Scorsese, stars Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. With such established legends and absolute giants of cinema, it is a movie everyone should watch. The gritty, true-to-life story of mob involvement in Las Vegas casinos is visually stunning and packed with drama. It holds up well despite being three decades old. It is great for the fans of mob films and real world casino history as it chronicles how organised crime ran Vegas in the 1970s and 1980s. From power dynamics and corruption to loyalty within the gambling empire, it is an amazing watch.
Rounders (1998)
Another late 1990s classic, it is a smart, gritty, character driven drama directed by John Dahl and starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton. A cult movie in the poker community that follows the underworld scene of the popular game, it captures the psychology of poker and the pressure of high stakes games. Follow a gifted law student who gets pulled back into the underground card game scene to help a friend, as young stars who would grow up to be some of the best Hollywood actors shine early in their careers. Risk, talent, sticking to your gut under pressure, it is a great comeback story that poker enthusiasts will appreciate.
The Cooler (2003)
This is a drama with a touch of romance. The tone is melancholic, emotional, and mature as you follow a professional cooler, meaning a person whose presence is believed to bring bad luck, breaking away from his toxic role. It is set in Vegas, which instantly makes it a gambling must watch. If you enjoy character stories with some realism and old school gambling charm in the City of Sins, put it on your watch list. The movie stars William H. Macy and Alec Baldwin and was directed by Wayne Kramer, and focuses on luck, losing streaks, and the superstition and mystique of gambling luck.
Molly’s Game (2017)
Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba star in this high stakes underground poker movie based on the real story of Molly Bloom. A slick and smart look at the hidden world of celebrity poker, this biography crime drama is a sharp, fat talking, and high stakes journey. The former Olympic class skier becomes the host of one of the most exclusive high stakes poker games in the world and battles legal troubles and moral dilemmas throughout. If you are a fan of Aaron Sorkin’s writing (The Social Network), you will love it.
21 (2008)
Follow a math prodigy who joins a secret group of students using card counting techniques to beat blackjack in Vegas. Based on the real events of the MIT blackjack team of students, the drama thriller is perfect for the fans of heist style movies and true stories. The slick and fast paced picture is directed by Australian Robert Luketic as Jim Sturgess and Kevin Spacey bring along great performances. Beating the house with math skills is possible, but very difficult, and these players have actually done it. Gambling historians and enthusiasts will surely find the story fascinating.
Uncut Gems (2019)
An instant classic and the newest movie on the list, it is an Adam Sandler masterpiece that focuses on NBA betting, gambling addiction, and hustling. It is very intense and chaotic as it manages to nail the anxiety of high risk sports betting and gambling the highest of stakes, as well as the lifestyle that comes with all of it. It is a crime thriller that is raw in its approach and does not shy away from reality. Sandler plays a New York jeweler with a gambling addiction who navigates high stakes NBA bets and escalating personal chaos. A time bomb of tension, it is exactly what fans of being on the edge of their seats enjoy. To relax and unwind after it, Bety slots will be waiting for you.
Two for the Money (2005)
This energetic sports drama sees a former college football star get involved with a booming sports betting firm. He experiences the thrill and the dangers of being a high profile tipster in this dramatic depiction of the machinations that tend to happen behind closed doors of pro sports and betting. Sports culture and corporate mind games are big themes in this show of the sports handicapping industry. Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey star and are amazing as always. The shady side of sports betting tipsters with drama and charisma will glue you to the screen.
Lay the Favorite (2012)
Bruce Willis and Rebecca Hall star in this Vegas sports betting movie. It is a lighter take on the sportsbook world based on a memoir by a real life bettor in the city. It is a comedy that mixes up drama well, a quirky and upbeat-offbeat depiction that gambling stories enthusiasts will surely enjoy. Other gambling movies tend to be somewhat too serious and heavy, whereas this one is lighter and funnier in tone. Watch as a free-spirited woman finds her niche working with a professional sports bettor and unwinds after your gaming sessions.
