29 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Before You Die (Updated), 10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada

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29 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Before You Die (Updated), 10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada


29 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Before You Die (Updated), 10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada


29 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Before You Die (Updated), 10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada


29 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Before You Die (Updated), 10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada


29 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Before You Die (Updated), 10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada


10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada


I'll always remember this movie for that scene where the two main characters are trying to get into the hotel lobby, legless on their ether high. Classic. Rated R for sex, drugs, and violence, this gambling movie with Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone will show you the truth behind the glitz and glam of a Las Vegas Casino.


29 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Before You Die (Updated)


Tearing yourself away from the Casino can be tough, especially if you're on a hot streak, but you'd do well to enjoy some leisure time every now and then to recharge the batteries.


And there’s no better way to spend your leisure time than watching gambling movies about your favourite real money games.


Don’t know where to start? No worries.


Here is a list of 29 famous gambling movies to keep your mind while you count your winnings.


29. Molly’s Game (2017)


molly


Molly’s Game is one of the most recent gambling movies on our list, and it's a great crime drama to boot.


It is based on an autobiographical book called Molly's Game: The True Story of the 26-Year-Old Woman Behind the Most Exclusive, High-Stakes Underground Poker Game in the World!


The film tells the story of Molly, who runs two underground poker games attended by celebrities and criminals alike.


However, her life takes a sharp turn when the FBI discovers her gambling secret.


The story may have started as a book, but it became one of the most successful gambling movies of the decade. And it's all based around one of the most popular card games of all: poker.


Genre: Biography, crime, drama


Cast: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner


28. Casino (1995)


29 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Before You Die (Updated), 10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada


Rated R for sex, drugs, and violence, this gambling movie with Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone will show you the truth behind the glitz and glam of a Las Vegas Casino.


Cast: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci


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27. Mississippi Grind (2015)


mississippi grind


Before he starred in Deadpool, Ryan Reynolds took part in another blockbuster, Mississippi Grind.


The road film is about two gamblers: Gerry, who loves poker but doesn’t have much luck with it, and Curtis, who seemingly brings luck to Gerry. Together, they travel to New Orleans in hopes for a life-changing win against the best poker players in The Big Easy.


Cast: Ben Mendelsohn, Ryan Reynolds, Yvonne Landry


26. Gambling (2004)


gambling movie


If you’re looking for something serious to watch, well, Gambling might be the right film for you.


It’s a real emotional roller coaster of a story with a sprinkle of high-stakes gambling.


Genre: Drama, mystery


Cast: J.P. Allen, Chopper Bernet, Mara Luthane


25. The Gambler (2014)


the gambler


Mark Wahlberg stars in this remake of the 1974 classic film.


This gambling film tells a story about a literature professor with a simple outlook on life: you either have everything or nothing at all, a philosophy that he takes with him to the casinos.


Unfortunately, his gambling addiction leads to a massive debt to the owner of an underground gambling ring, as well as a notorious loan shark.


Fed up with his excuses, the gambling ring owner gives him a week to pay off his debt with cash - or his life. Desperate to keep living, the professor enlists the services of a few of his students to help him find the money.


Maybe they'll get extra credits.


Genre: Crime, drama, thriller


Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Jessica Lange, John Goodman


24. Casino Royale (2006)


casino royale


James Bond, the world’s most famous secret agent, has just gotten his status as a 007 agent.


His first mission for MI:6 has James Bond taking on a weapon dealer in a high-stakes match of Casino Royale.


In Casino Royale, there's more than just money on the table. But then, it's a James Bond movie, after all.


Genre: Action, adventure, thriller


Cast: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Judi Dench


23. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)


lock stock and two smoking barrels


From one of Britain's favourite directors, Guy Ritchie, this was one of the best gambling movies in the history of British film.


Set in England, an overly-confident card player enlists three of his best friends to aid him in pulling off a heist in order to pay off a gambling debt that he owes to a crime boss after he loses £500,000 in a fixed game of three-card brag.


Lessons learnt from this movie: 1. Don't gamble with crooks. 2. It is possible to have an English accent that doesn't sound like English.


Cast: Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Nick Moran


22. The Cincinnati Kid (1965)


cincinnati kid


We all love a classic - and this gambling movie is a good one.


Steve McQueen stars in this all-American drama set during the Great Depression. He sets out to prove to other poker players that he is the best the world has ever seen.


Of course, to be the best poker player, you have to beat the best players, so he challenges veteran Lancey 'The Man' Howard in an attempt to take the title.


Cast: Steve McQueen, Ann-Margret, Edward G. Robinson


21. Owning Mahowny (2003)


Owning Mahowny


What would you do if you had access to a multi-million dollar account and a love for high-stakes gambling?


You'll win it back eventually, right? If not, at least you'll have a reputation for being involved in one of Canada's most infamous bank-fraud cases. People will make movies about you.


Genre: Crime, drama, thriller


Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Minnie Driver, John Hurt


20. 21 (2008)


21 gambling movie


Wouldn’t it be nice to win every time you play? Especially in the casinos of Vegas. And why not with one of the most popular card games of all? Blackjack!


21 is about a group of MIT college students, who form a blackjack team led by their professor. They use a card counting system that helps them fleece multiple Vegas casinos in order to win big and pay off their tuition fees. However, things go pear-shaped when the Vegas Casinos catch on to their scam. One of the best gambling movies in modern film.


Genre: Crime, drama history


Cast: Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey


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19. Let It Ride (1989)


let it ride movie


Let's go bet on a few ponies!


In this gambling comedy, a cab driver hears a rumour about a horse that cannot lose - and wins big. Lured in by the easy money, he catches a gambling addiction.


Genre: Comedy, action


Cast: Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, David Johansen


18. Two for the Money (2005)


two for the money


If you’re a football star, an injury can end your career in seconds.


That’s what happens to Brandon Lang.


Luckily, he keeps on working in the industry. His knowledge of the game and skill for choosing winners earns him the attention of one of sports betting's most prolific consultants who takes him under his wing.


Genre: Drama, sport, thriller


Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Al Pacino, Rene Russo


17. California Split (1974)


california split


Bill Denny is a casual gambler who meets Charlie Walters at a gambling club.


Impressed by Charlie's life as career gambler, Bill gambles more and more, getting into debt with his loan shark and eventually pawning everything he owns in order to take a trip to Reno for a high-stakes poker game and chase his dream of winning big.


Cast: George Segal, Elliott Gould, Ann Prentiss


16. Hard Eight (1996)


hard eight


Sydney is a veteran gambler who feels most at home at casinos.


Towards the end of his life, he meets a younger man who is broke and has no luck at all. Sydney sees an opportunity to leave a legacy and takes John under his wing, teaching him all there is to know about the gambling business.


Cast: Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow


15. The Hustler (1961)


the hustler


The Hustler will soon celebrate its 60th anniversary.


This was the movie that rocketed Paul Newman to stardom as he played an ambitious pool shark named Fast Eddie Felson. In his quest to be the best pool player to have ever lived, he goes under the tutelage of Brett Newman, who teaches him how to beat the best players and make a big time.


Cast: Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie


14. Ocean's Eleven (2001)


oceans eleven


The best movies always get remakes - and this one has a star-studded cast. Anything less would have been unacceptable.


Here, George Clooney plays Danny Ocean who is fresh out of prison and wants revenge on the casino owner who had him locked up in the first place. That’s why he gets a crew together and plans to rob three casinos in one night. But did the casino owner get his comeuppance?


Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts also starred in this film. Danny Ocean and his crew went on to appear in two more gambling movies in the series.


Genre: Crime, thriller


Cast: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts


13. A Big Hand for the Little Lady (1966)


A Big Hand for the Little Lady


This one is all about gambling and high-stakes poker in the Wild West.


Five of the richest men in Laredo gather for their annual poker game. Nothing keeps these high-rollers from their game and one of them even postpones his daughter's wedding to make sure that he's sitting at the table. Think about that the next time life gets in the way of your love for gambling and poker.


Genre: Comedy, Western


Cast: Henry Fonda, Joanne Woodward, Jason Robards


12. The Cooler (2003)


The Cooler


We all know that one guy who has the worst luck when it comes to gambling. Such guys should do themselves a favour and stay away from the gambling tables.


However, in this movie, casinos found a use for them. Once in a while, they'll hire such a man and send him in the direction of a player who's taking the house for too much money and have his bad luck infect them. They call these guys 'the coolers'. But what happens when a casino's favourite cooler becomes a lucky charm?


Genre: Drama, romance


Cast: William H. Macy, Maria Bello, Alec Baldwin


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11. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)


Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas


If you're going to the gambling mecca known as Las Vegas, don't hold back. Fill your trunk with every intoxicant known to man, get your buddy to ride shotgun, let the top down, and take a long trip into the recesses of your own mind.


I'll always remember this movie for that scene where the two main characters are trying to get into the hotel lobby, legless on their ether high. Classic.


Genre: Adventure, comedy, drama


Cast: Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Tobey Maguire


10. Lucky You (2007)


Lucky you


The ladies love a winner. as long as he's winning.


Genre: Drama, romance, sport


Cast: Eric Bana, Drew Barrymore, Robert Duvall


9. Croupier (1998)


29 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Before You Die (Updated), 10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada


If you love gambling but don't have the skill for it, you could get a job as a croupier. At the very least you would get to see others win - and live vicariously through them.


This was the story of Jack Manfred, played by Clive Owen, up until he realized that he was witnessing golden material that he could use for his book. Inspiration comes from everywhere.


Cast: Clive Owen, Nick Reding, Nicholas Ball


8. Bookies (2003)


29 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Before You Die (Updated), 10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada


College life is tough. Three students find that their student loans can't afford them the life that they want to live, so they start a business as bookies. Their booming business soon attracts the attention of local authorities as well as rival bookies in the same territory.


Genre: Comedy, crime, drama


Cast: Nick Stahl, Johnny Galecki, Lukas Haas


7. Kenny Rogers as The Gambler (1980)


Kenny Rogers as The Gambler


"Don't ever count your money while you're sitting at the table."


This is just one of the many lessons that Brady Hawkes passed on to a young up-and-comer about the game of cards.


Cast: Kenny Rogers, Christine Belford, Bruce Boxleitner


6. All In: The Poker Movie (2011)


All In: The Poker Movie


Americans have been using poker to chase the American Dream for decades.


This is the gambling movie for you if you want to know all about the history of poker including how politicians have fought against the right of adults to choose how they spend their time and money.


All In shows how a professional poker-playing community went on to become a nationally televised sport, endorsed and played by celebrities such a George Clooney and Matt Damon.


Cast: Karen Abbott, Peter Alson, Nick Brancato


5. The Good Thief (2002)


The Good Thief


Gambling and law-breaking are always going to be closely associated. Here’s why - when some gamblers are in the red, they resort to crime to stay afloat. It makes the clean players look bad, but at least it makes for good stories.


In The Good Thief, an ageing gambler aims to rob a casino but the odds are stacked against him, as someone has spilt the beans about his plans. They just don't make drama/thriller movies like this anymore.


Genre: Action, crime, drama


Cast: Nick Nolte, Ralph Fiennes, Nutsa Kukhianidze


4. Dinner Rush (2000)


Dinner Rush


Dinner Rush follows the story of a father-and-son duo who own an Italian restaurant and have vested interests in the gambling world.


On one eventful night, they are hosting a cop, rival bookmakers, and a demanding food critic. The plot thickens faster than soup as the night draws to a climactic end. One of the great crime thriller gambling movies.


Genre: Crime, drama, romance


Cast: Danny Aiello, Edoardo Ballerini, John Rothman


3. Killing Them Softly (2012)


Killing Them Softly


Killing Them Softly is a story about an amateur crook who is hired by a poker player to rob an illegitimate game hosted by Mafia bosses.


However, these bosses are men of pride who aren’t going to let this insult go unpunished.


Genre: Crime, thriller


Cast: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins


2. Saint John of Las Vegas (2009)


Saint John of Las Vegas


If you have a problem with something, it may be wise to avoid it.


In Saint John of Las Vegas, Steve Buscemi stars in a story about a gambling addict who moves away from Las Vegas. However, when he finds himself falling into old patterns, he realizes that he can't keep running away from his problems.


Cast: Steve Buscemi, Romany Malco, Sarah Silverman


1. Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians (2011)


Holy Rollers


And now for the last in our list of the best casino movies of all time.


Have you ever been in a casino and sat next to a pious-looking gentleman with his hands to the heavens, praying for a good hand? He may just be a Holy Roller, part of a blackjack team made up entirely of church-going Christians.


But how can they justify their love for high-stakes gambling under the strict rules of their faith? If you want to find out, this gambling movie is for you.


Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Bartha, Danny A. Abeckaser


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This article was first published in 2019.


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The 30 Best Gambling Movies of All Time


gamblingmovies mobile


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These films are all about high stakes and the tumultuous consequences that come with them


The drama surrounding the world of gambling can suck you in with its tales of big wins, devastating losses and criminal masterminds.


From a cinematic standpoint, we’ve been treated to a host of films that delve into the inner workings of casinos, bookies, and pool sharks. There’s a lot of entertainment to be had when a movie is all about placing bets on horse races, boxing matches, and assorted sports games. And it’s easy to get caught up in the plight of the individuals who find themselves in the crosshairs of the bigwigs that run their own gambling underworld.


Robert De Niro, Adam Sandler, George Clooney, Tom Cruise and a host of other world-class actors have appeared in some of the greatest gambling movies ever put on the big screen. Thankfully, this list goes through the trouble of finding 30 of them and are required viewing for movie buffs everywhere.


30. ‘21’



While 21 isn’t exactly a critical darling, it still pulled in a ton of curious viewers and nabbed the number one spot during its box office debut. The fact that this film’s synopsis is lifted from true events makes it all the more intriguing. Six genius MIT students are trained in the art of card counting and go on to ransack Las Vegas casinos in the most efficient way possible. Their intellect pays off as they rack up millions of dollars in winnings, but their actions bring the wrong type of attention to their gambling schemes. 21 can been seen on Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, iTunes and Netflix.


29. ‘Bookies’



When a pair of college students who’re sick and tired of losing big on sports bets kick off a bookmaking operation of their own, their fortunes quickly change. But with this quick success comes prying eyes and a whole lot of suspicions from the local authorities, rival bookies and loved ones. Bookies is all about a bunch of young go-getters who hit it big and make a power play that could make them the most powerful bookies in town. You’ll get wrapped up in the manner in which these four young bookies pull off their biggest bet and how they choose to ride off into the sunset. Bookies can be watched via Tubi and Amazon Prime Video.


28. ‘High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story’



Here’s another gambling film that’s based on a true story. And this time, its main focus centers on a gambling superstar that becomes synonymous with the poker scene. High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story follows Stu as he goes from a young gambling prodigy to a legendary pro who ends up claiming the top spot at the Main Event portion of the World Series of Poker. This selection is a fascinating biopic that provides viewers with a deeper look into the world of gambling and how high levels of success can eventually make way for crushing lows.


High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story can be seen on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu and Amazon Prime Video.


27. ‘The Cooler’



Bernie Lootz is very efficient at what he does – he works at a Las Vegas casino as a sort of “bad luck bringer” that goes out of his way to jinx gamblers into losing. Shelly Kaplow, the casino’s boss lady, appreciates him and his ability to keep her casino on the winning end of things. But Bernie’s “cooler” abilities start to falter when he comes across a waitress named Natalie Belisario, who he falls head over heels for. Once Shelly takes notice of Bernie’s changed behavior, the plotline within The Cooler blossoms into something you’ll become heavily invested in as it unfolds.


You can catch this film on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu.


26. ‘Rounders’



Matt Damon stars in this movie all about placing big bets and fighting to escape crippling debt. Matt’s character (Mike McDermott) ends up losing a ton of money during a poker game against a Russian gangster. After experiencing such a devastating loss, Mike leaves the poker scene behind due to his girlfriend’s pleas to leave the game behind. But the game comes calling once more when Mike finds out his friend Lester “Worm” Murphy needs to pay off a huge debt to the same Russian mobster that Mike took a major loss to. Rounders follows Mike and Lester as they try to work the system to their advantage and find a way to get one over on the man who’s responsible for their financial misfortunes.


You can watch this film on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.


25. ‘The Last Casino’



The Last Casino is kind of like a Canadian take on 21. A down on his luck college professor hatches a get rich quick scheme with the aid of three students of his choosing. After being banned from the casinos within Ontario and Quebec, the professor relies on his card-counting experts to take his place at those casinos and gamble their way to big money. The drama surrounding the professor’s debts and the ways in which his young protégés attempt to wipe them way makes this film a supremely absorbing experience.


The Last Casino can actually be seen on Vimeo.


24. ‘The Gambler’ (1974)



One’s addiction to gambling can be immensely severe. An English professor by the name of Axel Freed knows this sentiment all too well. The Gambler (1974) follows Axel as his life spirals out of control due to his out of control gambling habits. Things reach a fever pitch once he recklessly gambles away a huge sum of his casino earnings, which proceeds to put his life in danger.


The Gambler (1974) can be seen on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.


23. ‘The Cincinnati Kid’



Poker extraordinaire Eric Stoner has made it his mission to become the best poker player in town. Known around the local poker scene as “The Cincinnati Kid,” Eric decides to challenge someone even better than him – a fellow poker master by the name of Lancey “The Man” Howard. After getting set up with Howard for a winner takes all poker games, Eric discovers that the odds are being fixed in his favor. This revelation pushes Eric to defy such a dishonorable victory and show everyone that he can win the match through his skills alone. The Cincinnati Kid shows that there’s an honor to be had, even in the high-stakes world of big-money poker games.


This film can be viewed on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video.


22. ‘A Big Hand for the Little Lady’



On an annual basis, the town of Laredo, Texas becomes the epicenter for the most important poker game in the state. Five of the wealthiest men in the area come together to risk it all while an interested crowd watches them with bated breath. An ex-gambler ends up wandering into town in the midst of the big poker game and finds himself going right back to his former addiction. When things become too tough to bear for the latest addition to the game, the ex-gambler’s wife steps in to take his place and defy the odds as she takes on her wealthier opposition.


A Big Hand for the Little Lady can be seen on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu and Amazon Prime Video.


21. ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’



If you’re looking for a gambling film that has a lighter edge to it, then this pick should elicit a few laughs. Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is a British crime/comedy that stars Jason Statham and Vinnie Jones. The plot revolves around four friends who decide to put all their cash together and enter a major poker game against a big-time crime boss. That crime boss takes the win under dubious means, which forces the main man who convinced his crew to enter the game to pay up or be forced to give up his father’s pub as collateral. In order to pay that debt, the four friends get in way over their heads when it comes to acquiring those funds through illegal means. And that’s when plenty of hilarity ensues.


Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels can be viewed on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu and Amazon Prime Video.


20. ‘Hard Eight’



Hard Eight features three A-list actors that you might not have expected to see in a film such as this one – John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow and Samuel Jackson. When a professional gambler by the name of Sydney runs into a fellow gambler named John, Sydney takes John under his wing and teaches him how to truly be successful in the world of gambling. This process seems to go well at first, but things take a turn for the worst when both men come into contact with a local prostitute and a sketchy casino patron.


Hard Eight can be seen on Crackle, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu and Amazon Prime Video.


19. ‘Owning Mahowny’



Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the part of a bank employee named Dan Mahowny that lives a double life. He comes off as a hard-working man and a loving boyfriend to his closest associates. But in reality, he’s actually addicted to gambling and feeds his addiction by stealing money from various bank accounts in order to fulfill the debts owed to his main bookie. Eventually, Dan’s gambling troubles start to become much too hard to hide. Dan’s bank account thievery and gambling debts then threaten to cost him the other life he fought so hard to keep intact.


Owning Mahowny can only be seen through physical means on DVD.


18. ‘Mississippi Grind’



Mississippi Grind plays out like a gambling road trip tale that takes viewers on a wild ride through the South. When Gerry ends up meeting a gentleman by the name of Curtis (played by Ryan Reynolds), Gerry deems him his new lucky charm. So much so that Gerry takes Curtis on the road with him as he taps into his good luck during their gambling tour around the South. Gerry hopes that with Curtis by his side, he’ll be able to hit it big at a high-stakes poker game in New Orleans. Mississippi Grind is the perfect road trip film that just so happens to be tied to big money bets and a nail-biting poker game.


You can check out this film on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu, iTunes and Netflix.


17. ‘Bugsy’



Bugsy is not only a cinematic peek into the glitz and glamour seen within the world of gambling, but it’s also a fascinating biopic that’s all about legendary New York mobster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel. After moving from the big city to Hollywood, Bugsy ends up finding love and success from his underground gambling rackets. Soon after, he develops an idea around a gambling epicenter that people from all over the US could come and place their bets. That gambling haven ends up being Las Vegas, a place that’s attributed to Bugsy’s forward-thinking approach. This biopic delves into everything that made Bugsy what he was and how he helped develop Las Vegas into what it is today.


Bugsy can be viewed on Crackle, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, iTunes, and Google Play Movies & TV.


16. ‘Win It All’



Eddie Garrett has really done it now. After agreeing to keep an eye on a duffel bag full of money for a friend that’s heading to prison, Eddie gives in to his gambling demons and ends up using the money to indulge his addiction. Sadly, that decision ends up putting Eddie in some deep debt. His troubles quickly worsen once Eddie finds out his friend is getting out of prison sooner than expected. This forces Eddie to find a way to gamble his way into getting all his friend’s duffle bag money back in full.


Win it All is a Netflix exclusive.


15. ‘Dinner Rush’



Not only does Louis Cropa run a successful restaurant alongside his star chef son, but he also handles part-time bookmaker duties on the side. Louis’ fine dining establishment attracts a number of shady characters, including two gangsters whom one of Louis’ chefs is indebted to. Dinner Rush delves into one particularly busy evening at Louis’ restaurant when those two gangsters and a host of other eccentric personalities converge there all at once.


This film can only be seen and obtained via DVD.


14. ‘Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians’



This documentary covers one of the most popular and well-funded blackjack teams in the US of A. It just so happens that these gambling pros are also heavily devoted, churchgoing Christians. Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians offers an inside look at the rise of this blackjack juggernaut team and how they move within the gambling and religious circles they frequent.


You can catch this documentary on Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube, iTunes and Google Play Movies & TV.


13. ‘The Color of Money’



Paul Newman and Tom Cruise star in this film that’s all about the game of pool. Newman plays the part of former pool hustler “Fast Eddie” Felson, who decides to make a comeback to the game he once dominated. However, he does so by taking on the role of a teacher as he leads a young pool player to greatness. That player is Vincent Lauria (played by Tom Cruise), who goes on to learn the in’s and out’s of proper pool playing and scamming. But when Eddie and Vincent’s partnership falls apart, they eventually end up on opposite ends and confront each other in the game they both love so much.


The Color of Money can be seen on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu and MAX GO.


12. ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ (2001)



It’s always a rare case when the remake of a film ends up surpassing the original. The 2001 version of the 1960 Rat Pack film ends up being a far superior rendition that features a who’s who of Hollywood A-listers. George Clooney stars as Dapper Danny Ocean, a thief who’s up to no good just hours after being released from his parole. He puts his big casino heist plan into motion alongside a top-notch crew. That ragtag group of fellow thieves consists of familiar faces such as Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mack, etc.


Ocean’s Eleven (2001) can be viewed on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu and Amazon Prime Video.


11. ‘Uncut Gems’



Adam Sandler is known for starring in some…well, questionable comedies. But his role in Uncut Gems reminded everyone that he’s a force to be reckoned with when he’s given incredible material to work with. Adam takes on the role of a lovable NYC jeweler who loves playing it big when it comes to betting. When he makes one of the biggest bets of his life, his world starts to cave in around him as debt collectors come calling. Uncut Gems follows Adam’s character as he looks to keep his life intact as his high-risk gambling endeavors threaten to tear it all apart.


Uncut Gems can be seen on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Vudu and Google Play Movies & TV.


10. ‘Molly’s Game’



Molly’s Game is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, a world-renowned Olympic-class skier. Molly’s athletic career is certainly noteworthy, but her side gig garnered even more interest once it was made public. Molly just so happened to be running an exclusive poker game ring for an entire decade that welcomed celebrities, business tycoons, and even mobsters. After being arrested during a massive FBI sting, Molly comes into contact with a criminal defense lawyer and relays more of her enthralling life story to the viewing audience.


Molly’s Game can be seen on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix.


9. ‘Casino’



Casino is high atop a list of films that are most popular amongst followers of the gambling scene. Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone, and Don Rickles are just some of the major names attached to this 90s cinematic classic. Casino follows Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a mobster who takes on the job of running a casino owned by his overseers. Things go well at first, but his reckless enforcer, con artist ex-girlfriend, and a slew of dirty politicians disrupt his casino’s operations and eventually put his life in danger. You can check out


Casino is on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Sling TV, and the Starz app.


8. ‘Rain Man’



Tom Cruise appears in his second gambling movie role as car dealer Charlie Babbitt, who doesn’t have the best relationship with his now-deceased father. After finding out that a massive sum of inheritance money is being left to an autistic brother (played by Dustin Hoffman) he never even knew he had, Charlie gets the bright idea to somehow lift all of that money from his older sibling. This scheme soon leads to Charlie taking his autistic brother on the road with him for a life-changing excursion. All the while, Charlie relies on his brother’s amazing mathematical skills to help him win big at every gaming table they come across during a stop in Las Vegas. This moment then leads to a change in character for Charlie that makes this film a real tearjerker that’s bound to hit you right in the feels.


Rain Man can be seen on Tubi, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes and the Max Go app.


7. ‘Croupier’



The simple definition of a croupier is an individual who’s in charge of running a gaming table. The movie named after that important position follows an aspiring writer who takes on that role in order to support his ambitions. During his time spent as a croupier, he tries his hardest not to get sucked up in the dark world of gambling and fall for a more “attractive” temptation. He eventually succumbs to his dark desires and ends up in a situation far worse than he could have ever imagined.


Croupier can only be seen on Blu-Ray and DVD at the moment.


6. ‘House of Games’



A psychiatrist by the name of Margaret Ford is in the midst of helping a suicide victim confront his troubles head-on. Margaret’s patient is a man named Mike, who apparently works as a bookie. Due to their interactions, Margaret’s interests in the seedy world of high-stakes gambling intensify and lead to her becoming engulfed in the mental trickery that’s utilized in order to win big. But things take a turn for the worst when it turns out that Mike is nothing more than a con man, which puts Margaret into some harrowing situations.


House of Games can be viewed on iTunes, Vudu and Amazon Prime Video.


5. ‘The Sting’



The Sting is a classic film that’s the perfect onscreen representation of what it takes to pull off a major con job. The movie follows two fellow conmen that decide to get revenge on a crime boss who’s responsible for the death of their mutual acquaintance. The two men concoct a fail-proof plan that starts out easy enough but soon gets harder and harder to maintain as unexpected elements enter the picture. A whole lot of big bets, plus plenty of surprising twists and turns come to pass in this film that’s all about pulling one over on an unsuspecting victim.


The Sting can be seen on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video.


4. ‘Casino Royale’



The most efficient British Secret Service agent the world has ever seen takes on an especially dangerous mission in Casino Royale – take down Le Chiffre, a man who’s actually a financier for terrorist organizations. James Bond goes undercover in order to infiltrate Chiffre’s major poker game, which is secretly being used as a way to acquire even more funds to support his terrorist dealings. Bond goes all in order to put a stop to Le Chiffre’s plans and take down his evil organization in one fell swoop.


Casino Royale can be seen Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Vudu, iTunes, Hulu, HBO Now, and HBO Go.


3. ‘California Split’



Charlie Waters and Bill Denny are gamblers who come together through a mutual appreciation of their hobby. Charlie goes out of his way to gamble as much as he can in a bid to win the biggest payday there is alongside Bill. Both men are granted lucky wins here and there, but a series of downturns and unfortunate mishaps threaten to destroy their gambling streak. California Split follows both men on their wild journey as they look to truly hit the jackpot.


This film can be seen on Vudu, iTunes and Amazon Prime Video.


2. ‘Bob le flambeur’



Translated as either “Bob the Gambler” or “Bob the High Roller,” Bob le flambuer is a cinematic breakdown of what happens when someone is forced to risk it all. Bob Montagne, the main character of the film, is known as an extremely lucky gambler who’s a big hit amongst the populace. But when things turn dour for him and his good luck subsides, the ones that once loved him the most decide to abandon him. In order to regain his wealthy status, Bob maps out a plan to rob a casino during a, particularly important weekend. But pulling off such a big heist is a lot harder than he expected it to be.


Bob le flambeur can be viewed on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video.


1. ‘The Hustler’



Remember us mentioning The Color of Money on this list beforehand? The Hustler should be seen first as it is the predecessor to that other highly recommended gambling film. The Hustler charts the early origins of “Fast Eddie” Felson and his days as a notorious poolroom hustler. Throughout the film, viewers will get to see Eddie play against a billiards champion, fall in love with a woman with plenty of emotional baggage and come into contact with an experienced gambler who wishes to take Eddie under his wing. The stakes are truly raised within this classic film when Eddie decides to go all in during a high-stakes matchup.


The Hustler can only be seen via DVD.



Four Best Gambling Movies Made in Canada


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Do you love casino games so much that you have some fantasies every now and then about it? For everything, we enjoy doing or we find worth splashing our money on, we always try to find people, things, or even movies that depict what we fantasize about.


This is simple logic. A future astronaut will like to watch things related to his or her future. In this case, a real gambler will also be interested in watching movies based on gambling and dealings in a casino club. With gambling having so many players in the world, it is only natural for there to be gambling movies or any other entertainment other people involve themselves in. In this article, we will be writing our list of some interesting gambling movies but before that let’s discuss gambling a bit.


We all know gambling has always been carried out in a casino located in a hotel or some establishment. In the past 10 years, however, there has been a major shift as the casinos are now being established online, like every other thing migrating to the internet.


With businesses moving online, it was only a matter of time before gambling takes this step, so this move was expected. Online gambling has been gaining quite the publicity since its emergence, coming with close features like the land-based establishments like, welcome bonuses, free spin rounds, progressive jackpots, mini-games, access to loyalty programs that help you in gambling for free. Next to that you can gamble in real money casinos as well. On this website you will find a complete guide about how real money gambling in Canada works.


While movies about online gambling are yet to be produced, we will be looking at the ones that have been created. With the help of the online casino experts of CasinoScout.ca We will be looking at the ones created in Canada, which has some strict restrictions placed on any sort of gambling.


Cold Deck


29 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Before You Die (Updated), 10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada


First on this list for Canadian film movies , is Cold Deck. This movie is a thriller released back in 2015 and was directed by Zack Bernbaum, who was known for his movie And Now a Word from Our Sponsor.


This 2015 thriller describes the life of a poker player, Bobby, who hits the rock bottom and had to mount a heist to solve his problems. He realized that he was not alone in this path.


Lucky Girl


29 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Before You Die (Updated), 10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada


A 2001 movie, which has an alternative title My Daughter’s Secret Life, featuring star Elisha Cuthbert and Sherry Miller, was directed by John Fawcett. Elisha plays the role of Kaitlyn, a high school obsessed with gambling so much, she ended up piling up immense debts, which caused a rift in her relationship.


Owning Mahowny


29 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Before You Die (Updated), 10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada


This movie which was directed by Richard Kwietniowski was picked to be on Roger Ebert’s ten best movies in 2003. It features cast like Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Hurt, and Mini Driver.


This is a movie based on a true story of a bank clerk who embezzled over $10 million from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce to satisfy his gambling needs.


The Last Casino


29 Best Gambling Movies to Watch Before You Die (Updated), 10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada


This is a movie dedicated to blackjack lovers almost similar to the Hollywood ’21’ movie. This is a story of a professor, who has been banned from entering casinos in Ontario and Quebec, teaching three students card-counting to help turn $1000 into $35,000 to resolve his financial problems.



Best Gambling Movies Made in Canada


If you are looking for gambling movies, you likely love gambling games a lot that you think about them every single time. We love spending our time and money on the things and people we love. We spend hours watching movies that focus on the things we love. An astronaut will enjoy watching things related to the sky and future.


On the other hand, a gambler will focus on online casino facilities, other players, and different forms of entertainment in the gambling world. For years now, gambling has taken place in casinos or hotels. Now that the world is moving online, it’s only a matter of time before gambling becomes a key player in the online world. In the online gambling world, there are lots of offers which include free spins, welcome bonuses, and progressive jackpots to name a few. Here are some of the best movies on gambling made in Canada.


First on our Canadian movie list is Cold Deck. This movie was released back in 2015 and it was produced by Zack Bernbaum. He is popular for directing movies like ‘And Now Word from the Sponsor’. The 2015 thriller describes a poker player’s life who goes through life aimlessly before mounting a heist to gain back control of his life. He later realized that there were lots of people on his chosen path.


This movie was released back in 2001 and it features Sherry Miller and Elisha Cuthbert. Directed by John Fawcett, Elisha plays the role of a high school student who gets addicted to gambling and ends up with huge debts. This leads to disconnections in her relationships.


This was a great movie that was named by Roger Ebert as one of the best films in 2003. It is not average in any way thanks to the impressive cast which includes Phillip Hoffman, the mini-driver, and John Hurt to name a few. It is based on the story of a bank clerk who embezzles more than $10 million from the Canadian Bank of Commerce to feed his gambling addiction. It’s an interesting movie that will help you excel at Gamblizard Canada games because you’ll know the current offers in Canada and understand the nature of a gambler’s life.


If you’ve ever been interested in Blackjack, chances are you are familiar with the movie 21. It showcases the story of a dangerous MIT card counting organization. However, four years before, The Last Casino was released and inspired by similar historical events. A professor and his students managed to turn a thousand bucks into $35000 by simply playing Blackjack.


Other gambling movies that you should watch


As the title suggests, The Gambler is a story about a college tutor who is addicted to gambling. As the story continues, he plunges himself into self-destruction and he only thinks of one thing every time: gambling. His borrowing grows from bad to worse and the need to endanger his life grows too. The movie builds to a steady and amazing climax. This is a gambling character who can easily identify with the majority of people who’ve fallen into the addiction trap. It serves as a warning against any kind of addiction.



  1. The Cincinnati Kid



The Cincinnati Kid is a popular film starring Steve McQueen. It tells the story of an upcoming gambler who does all he can to become the best in town. Lancey plays against McQueen because the kid has made a name in the backroom games. He is also distracted by a beautiful girl who threatens his chances of winning. In the end, both players raise the stakes and only one of them ultimately wins.


There are lots of amazing classic gambling movies in the world. Too many to list. Since you love casino games, you’ve likely been looking for the best casino movies to watch together with your friends. The movies that we’ve listed in our article are the best in terms of plot and the lessons that you’ll learn in the end. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes as you gamble. However, whenever you make a mistake, learn from it and vow never to repeat it ever again. Since we are moving to the online world, you should prepare yourself to watch movies on the go and even play your favorite games online.


Joshua Robinson is a famous writer and poet. He is interested in art, technology, poetry, and physics. He enjoys drawing and playing online games during his free time.



Best Gambling Movies on Netflix


Netflix boasts some classic gambling movies, as well as more recent releases. If you want to relax and maybe even pick up some gambling tips, tune in for some exciting viewing, with star-studded casts and exciting plots full of twists and turns.


Page contents


Casino


Movie specification
Casino
IMBD Rate: Release Year: Genre: Length: Director: Budget: Gross Worldwide:
8/10 1995 Crime, Drama 178 min Martin Scorsese $52,000,000 $116,112,375

Director Martin Scorsese's Casino (1995) is a classic in the genre of gambling movies. The film is based on the book by Nicholas Pileggi and is the true story of a man who managed multiple casinos on behalf of the mafia.


The movie takes place in Las Vegas in the 1970s and 1980s and tells the story of Sam Rosenthal, the Tangiers Casino owner, who has connections to the mob.


Acting legends Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone contribute to the film's lasting appeal. The movie follows the storyline of their characters, Ace Rothstein and Nicky Santoro, two mafia members who become casino managers. Things start to go wrong when Ace falls in love with a beautiful hustler, and Nicky gets entangled in a cycle of drugs and violence.


The film portrays the extravagant old days of gambling in Las Vegas and mobsters running casinos before the arrival of online casino operators.



TOP Gambling Movies on Netflix | CasinoCanada.com – BLOG video preview


Croupier


Movie specification
Croupier
IMBD Rate: Release Year: Genre: Length: Director: Budget: Gross Worldwide:
7.1/10 1998 Crime, Drama 94 min Mike Hodges $3,000,000 $7,120,568

Croupier (1998), starring Clive Owen, looks at the gambling world through a professional dealer or croupier's eyes. Director Mike Hodge stays away from luxury casinos and instead focuses on the turbulent gambling world of card rooms in London.


Jack, a young writer, wants to write a bestseller, but in the meantime, his dad helps him get a job as a croupier in a small casino, where he soon excels at his career. He gives viewers gambling tips throughout the movie, especially on roulette and blackjack, and provides insight into a croupier's life.



TOP Gambling Movies on Netflix | CasinoCanada.com – BLOG video preview


Molly's Game


Movie specification
Molly's Game
IMBD Rate: Release Year: Genre: Length: Director: Budget: Gross Worldwide:
7.4/10 2017 Crime, Drama, Biography 140 min Aaron Sorkin $30,000,000 $59,284,015

A more recent favourite is Molly's Game (2017), with Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, and Kevin Costner in the lead roles. The movie follows the story of Olympic-level skier Molly Bloom, who became the hostess of the world's most exclusive poker club and the FBI’s target.


Molly's life changes direction after a severe injury ruins her chances of skiing at the Olympics. She gets a job at the Viper Room, which runs weekly high-stakes poker games. Molly eventually becomes a game-runner, making up to $4 million a year. The FBI finally shuts her down after a wild tale of drug addiction, mafia-involvement, and a significant court case.



TOP Gambling Movies on Netflix | CasinoCanada.com – BLOG video preview


Movie specification
21
IMBD Rate: Release Year: Genre: Length: Director: Budget: Gross Worldwide:
6.8/10 2008 Crime, Drama, History, Thriller 123 min Robert Luketic $35,000,000 $159,808,370

Based on a true story, 21 (2008) stars Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, and Laurence Fishburne.


MIT student, Ben Campbell, needs money to pay his tuition fees. Along with his fellow students and professor, the team uses their math skills to win at the blackjack table in Las Vegas. Ben's priorities change once he wins big money.


An interesting angle to the movie is the math teacher who encourages his students to explore gambling. The film takes a look at the role that math and science play in casinos.



TOP Gambling Movies on Netflix | CasinoCanada.com – BLOG video preview


Win it all


Movie specification
Win it all
IMBD Rate: Release Year: Genre: Length: Director: Budget: Gross Worldwide:
6.2/10 2017 Comedy 88 min Joe Swanberg No Information No Information

Eddie Garrett (Jake Johnson) is a gambling addict. He agrees to watch a bag full of money while its owner is in prison, and his story takes a turn for the worse when he decides to use the money for gambling and loses it all.


This dark comedy looks at the funny side of a gambling addict's life. Will Eddie get a lucky break and get the money back before his friend gets out of prison? When the bag owner’s sentence’ is shortened, Eddie needs to win the money back as soon as possible.



TOP Gambling Movies on Netflix | CasinoCanada.com – BLOG video preview


Ocean's Eleven


Movie specification
Ocean's Eleven
IMBD Rate: Release Year: Genre: Length: Director: Budget: Gross Worldwide:
7.7/10 2001 Crime, Thriller 116 min Steven Soderbergh $85,000,000 $450,717,150

Casino-themed Ocean’s Eleven (2001) has a big star-studded cast with Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts.


George Clooney is the mastermind who joins with Brad Pitt to recruit a team to rob three casinos at the same time.


This action-packed movie will show you in detail how casinos operate.



TOP Gambling Movies on Netflix | CasinoCanada.com – BLOG video preview


Casino Royale: James Bond


Movie specification
Casino Royale
IMBD Rate: Release Year: Genre: Length: Director: Budget: Gross Worldwide:
8/10 2006 Action, Adventure, Thriller 144 min Martin Campbell $150,000,000 $616,501,619

This 2006 James Bond adventure takes us to a luxury resort and a high-roller poker game. The movie is entertaining, and the storyline is typical Bond – Bond wins the poker game, gets the bad guy, and saves the world.



TOP Gambling Movies on Netflix | CasinoCanada.com – BLOG video preview


Rounders


Movie specification
Rounders
IMBD Rate: Release Year: Genre: Length: Director: Budget: Gross Worldwide:
7.3/10 1998 Crime, Drama 121 min John Dahl $12,000,000 $22,912,409

Rounders (1998) revolves around Mike McDermott, a law student and brilliant poker player. Mike becomes involved in the underground poker scene in New York and loses a lot of money in an illegal gambling room.


If you're a poker fan, you will enjoy this movie's portrayal of the poker world. Rounders has a star-studded cast with Matt Damon in the title role and Edward Norton and John Malkovich in supporting roles.




User Reviews (16)


I don't have the words or the talent to write a brilliant review. I am not even capable. I can be dead pan honest and simply say this is an excellent movie in which each character is a real as real gets. Every single one of them feels and looks totally real and the story is completely brilliant in what it draws you into. These kids, these hard working smart kids get dragged into the casino slums along with all the lies that comes along with it.


Get it .. watch it. Make popcorn.


This is a perfect little movie and I wish I could find the drawbacks. There are none.


Usually, Canada is known for it's movies with heart and feeling, but lacking in entertainment. Now that many companies are coming up north to film, it seems Canada is making some great movies on their own with The Last Casino.


The premise of the movie is provocative, and the writing is genius. The Last Casino was both entertaining and credible. There are specifics to this movie, where it is apparent that a lot of thought and effort was put into the plot.I loved the suspense and closeness that was created through the types of shots the director used.


I suggest that everyone try to see this movie (it not widely available), and as Canadians we should be proud this is one of our products.


I second the comment that this movie is one of the best of 2004. I'll actually go as far as to say this is THE best movie of 2004! The brilliant writing, convincing acting, skilled directing, and all other aspects of this film come together wonderfully to create a masterpiece. The plot is fresh and fairly unconventional, releasing its pathway from the overused movie plot clone formulae of Hollywood (ugh). The characters are all very lifelike and are performed masterfully by the actors! The music is also well done. I never felt myself distracted by flamboyant themes, but instead was drawn in by the music which worked perfectly to enhance the action on screen. I can't wait to see future movies by this relatively new director, skilled writer, and these great new actors.


I recommend this movie whole-heartedly! Bravo Canada!


Before "21" came along, there was Pierre Gill's "The Last Casino," which is about Professor Barnes (played very well by Charles Martin Smith) creating his own card counting team to win a huge fortune in Canada's major casinos -- and, oh yes, Barnes also needs the money to pay off his booky Mr. Orr who has his own peculiar way of ensuring the prompt repayment of outstanding debts. "The Last Casino" has half the glitz and thrills of "21"; it even had to do without Kevin Spacey, Lawrence Fishburne and Rihanna's single "Shut up and drive." Yet, it was so much better and far more original than "21" ever was. Many factors contribute to making this under-appreciated film a jewel. To begin with, you can tell the writer Steven Westren put a lot of thought into his screenplay. He created original characters, including the ones that only had small parts. He put the protagonists -- essentially the team of card counters, Elyse (Katherine Isabelle), Scott (Kris Lemche) and George (Albert Chung) -- in the kinds of situations you (or I) would never expect in a film like this. But most importantly, Pierre Gill and Steven Westren succeeded in filling the scenes at the gambling table with tension and thereby conjured up the feelings and impulses of the people who were prepared to put tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table on a single bet. I also appreciated the surprise at the end of the film, which is so cleverly done that it may leave many of the viewers scratching their heads.


The other factor that makes this film great are the performances. Charles Martin Smith does a great job as the professor whose deep in debt, because his gambling via card counting finally got the best of him. Katherine Isabelle puts in a good performance as Elyse, as does Kris Lemche and Albert Chung as her companions so that, by the end, we (as an audience) are able to sympathize with all of them. But the one person who almost steals the show in this movie is Julian Richings whose performance as Mr. Orr must go down in the history books as one of the best (if not the best) villain roles in recent times.


After reading all the great reviews on this film I decided to rent it. Not only is it about gambling, one of my favourite movie subjects but it is a Canadian film. I have watched a few Canadian films in the past and haven't been too impressed with the stories. This is not true with The Last Casino. I would recommend this to anyone who likes gambling themes in movies. This film definitely had a good story and good character development. Cinematography is great with different shades and hues depending on the locations.


The actors are not very well known which adds to this films allure. I feel that you really get into the characters if you don't have any sort of pre conceived ideas of what they are all about, or if they haven't been type casted. Well worth the rental and I would even suggest a purchase of this DVD for your home collection. It does however lack extra features, meaning there are none whatsoever.


The movie centres around a math professor with a gambling problem, he is bankrolled by a mafioso type character that looks like he has a heroin problem. Things start to go bad when the professor gets banned from the casinos and his disguises are not fooling the eye in the sky. This is when he recruits 3 students to become part of his gambling ring to count cards and bet big to pay back his gambling debts. Various twists and turns in the movie makes this an interesting viewing.


As a person who has been "asked" to leave a casino for keeping a running bias count, I obviously have a interest in the subject matter.


The plot centers around a college professor who has been banned from the casino(s) in his area for counting cards. He owes a good bit of money to the "investors" who has been banking him. He recruits kids good at math from the university to win money back from the casino.


I always like the idea of someone sticking it to the casinos as the casinos give such horrible odds to players.


The fun of the movie is how the kids react and handle the pressure of using a system to beat the casino. The systems they use in the movie would not work in Casino's in Vegas and Atlantic City but variations of the system has been used for a long time by card counters.


This is a fun little movie for anyone who has been to a casino especially anyone who plays blackjack.


Its a story about a professor called Barnes who got a 40.000$ debt. Thats why he recruits 3 students Elyse (Katharine Isabelle), Scott and George and teaches them the art of card counting. Its really fun to watch the friendship of 3 totally different people to grow so fast, watch them getting better and better in card counting and winning all the money.


The reason i watched this movie was because of Katharine Isabelle (favorite actress) but in the first minutes of the movie i saw that this is going to be fun because i always liked movies about casinos, money and this kinda cheating. Its not so popular probably because its a TV movie and made in Canada (No offense or anything) but it should be.


If you get the chance to see this awesome movie than do it!


Honestly this movie is one of those made just for college kids. I personally don't think it is that bad of a movie, more to the contrary i think it is one of those quality film production from first time movie directors.(i think he is email me if i am wrong). However i wonder why the movies pace was all over the place. It went fast and slow and then all over the place. More to the point if you wanted to watch this movie it is a great 90 minutes of passing time. However if your looking for a movie more based on drama in the casino go watch the movie Casino.


This movie more or less touches on many subjects involved with the casino. How people cheat casinos and so on! But the thing about this movie that bugs me the most is the stereo types portrayed in the movie. They put the movies players in roles whereby we all know exactly what they are and how the movie will involve them when we first meet them. Enough ranting. End of the day. Good movie.


Alright I admit. I have been known to poke fun at "uniquely" Canadian films. This seems to mean that it has to include Beer, Hockey, horrible East Coast accents, boats of some kind, winter, and Native Americans. For the first time EVER I come across an ACTUALLY unique Canadian film, that doesn't force feed the world stereotypes by our own people.


The Last Casino is the story of a gambling addicted card counting University Professor who works for professionals who have been bankrolling him up until his latest Casino catches on to him as a professional and bars him for life. His financial support pulls out and wants their bankroll back but unfortunately Professor Doug Barnes has blown the bankroll on his own obsession. horse racing. Barnes encourages his financiers to give him another shot by training a team of top University Math Students, genius' to count cards and work together to triple the profit. They give him some time to do such. Barnes begins to assemble the best possible team he can find. Elyse, a photographic memory, outspoken, independent and smart. Scott a brilliant Math student who is as smooth as he is brilliant and finally George a nervous, shy but astounding analytical mind. Barnes teaches them everything they need to do from the counting to the disguises and sends them out promising them a 50% split between them which would make them rich. The plan is foolproof until the team starts to slip and Barnes gambling addiction gets worse. When it comes down to it, Barnes will try to double cross the team while paying back his financiers but are they too smart for him??


A truly dark comedy with a unique and talented cast. There were some familiar faces for good measure in the necessary character roles. The freakishly frightening looking Julian Richings as the guy with all the cash and Charles Martin Smith as the pitiful but brilliant Professor Barnes. The kids are the real shining point though. The strangely seductive Katharine Isabelle in a very outspoken role, a strong female lead. Kris Lemche as the cocky Scott who adds a certain amount of male hunk to the film and the comically funny, and yet tragically entertaining George is played by Albert Chung. The three of them, although very different characters play off each other and have a great chemistry as a team. Their constant fights and squabbles show of their differences in character but in the end working together as a team works best. They need each other and the three of them are more loners than they care to admit in different ways. The Last Casino takes you into a very dark, broody, yet flashy world of cards and gambling with an overtone that makes it suspenseful and interesting. It's definitely a good watch for anyone looking for something different and something Canadian with actual Brains for once. 7.5/10


Stumbled across this movie by chance - how lucky! I was entertained from the very first to the last minute. The plot was genius, and the acting was very good too, especially by Katharine Isabelle who plays one of the three students being dragged into a world of gambling and mathematics by a gamling-addicted professor.


Half way into the movie I thought I'd figured out how it all would turn out, luckily the ending wasn't what I thought - neither with respect to the economics or the relationship between the students. Great! Who haven't been in need of some extra cash ? __Is_ there after all such a thing as "easy money" ? Watch the movie and find out. It grabbed me from the first minute spinning up the plot using familiar situations and quick lines combined with humor as well as a genuine interest for the mathematics involved.


A great watch because you can tell a great deal of time was spent getting the gambling details and terminology correct. A non gambler may watch this movie and not pick up on that, but for die hard, committed, everyday punters like myself, the movie comes off as a great snapshot of what would happen (and does everyday) in the gambling world.


The essence of the movie is this - a gambler must try and put the odds in his or her favour before they make a bet. Otherwise in the long run (unless they are extremely lucky) the percentages will work against the player and a loss will be generated. For example, at blackjack if the player plays sensibly at level stakes without counting cards, the house edge is about 1 to 2%. So if you outlay $10,000 in one session, you can expect to lose on average $100 to $200.


However, in this movie the college professor behind the blackjack team gets them to count cards to put the odds in the long run in the players favour, not the casinos. The 3 students in the movie learn how to keep a running count of cards. When the count is in the players favour (ie when there are more tens to aces in the remaining deck rather then low value cards) it is time to increase the bet to take advantage of the count. Likewise when the count is in the casinos favour, the bet should be reduced to the bare minimum.


After a few teething problems, the maths genius team of youngsters hit their straps and the system brings in big reliable profits. The movie captures the problem of gambling addiction very well. The professor who teaches the students the system loses nearly all of his share of the profits from the blackjack team on the horses and trots. Why does he do this?? Because of the adrenalin rush gamblers get from gambling. He knows the odds are against him when he plays the horses (it is very difficult to beat a 20% takeout edge that the betting agencies take out of the pool before paying out winning customers, unless you are an astute judge of form or have fixed a race). But he cannot help himself. He must be gambling all the time to get his fix, similar to the high of a drug addict I would imagine. He puts the odds in his favour with the blackjack but gives it back on the ponies. He's a gambling addict. And there's the rub because people can and do make money from gambling. Casinos on a whole do very well, bookmakers generally do and there are a few dedicated professionals that make a decent living from simply betting. They win by putting the odds in THEIR FAVOUR. This is a storyline that the movie catches beautifully.


Eventually the students are shut down by the casinos because they want losers in their casinos not winners. They go their separate ways but you can tell they all seem to have been bitten by the gambling bug. Who wouldn't be attracted to working for yourself, working your own hours and only having yourself to blame if things turn nasty. The reality is then that gambling would turn out to be more like a job, the glamour is taken away by the fact that you have to be concentrating all the time to maintain your competitive edge. However it's a job that is a lot more entertaining and enjoyable than your standard office or factory job where there is limited freedom or flexibility. Plus the world is your office.


All in all, a well written, well acted movie. The female student lead was especially hot, and I hope big things are in store for her down the line.


I would certainly rate The Last Casino up there with other great gambling movies such as The Runner, Let It Ride, Rounders and Bookies.





So, let's define, what was the most valuable conclusion of this review: Check out the 29 best movies about Casinos and get ready to spend some quality time with your family and friends! at 10 Best Gambling Movies You Need to Watch in Canada

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