Finding a good movie about gambling that doesn't have those washed-up, vanilla scenes where casino first-timers shower in champagne, have two girls on each arm, throw the winning chips or are bathed in jackpot coins. That is why if you're a real casino-themed movie fan, you will definitely enjoy these non-cliché movies. So, pop some corn, find a comfy position on the sofa and be prepared to watch some state-of-the-art casino movies.

Casino – Martin Scorsese

A real story meets Scorsese – and you know it is a success. On top of that, Sharon Stone and Robert De Niro play the leading roles, alongside Joe Pesci. What else is there to say? De Niro portrays the life of a bookie who got “promoted” and had to run and oversee casinos in Vegas for his mobster bosses. Joe Pesci is a killer and thief that puts both their lives in danger. Of course, the Scorsese dynamic is not missing, as in the middle of all Sam (De Niro) falls in love with a former prostitute, played by Sharon Stone. Expect the most memorable scenes including gambling behind closed doors with some really high and risky stakes.

21 – Robert Luketic  

A name that you definitely recognize, Kevin Spacey, stars in this legendary movie, based on the epic book Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich about a true story of young, MIT students who decided to make a card-counting team and bring down Vegas casinos. They went from one casino to another and made huge money using their brilliant minds and astonishing math skills. If you play at casinos online please note that card-counting isn’t allowed.

Rounders – John Dahl

This is one of the Matt Damon’s best movies whose astonishing performance made this film a huge hit. Accompanied by Edward Norton as his buddy, Matt Damon perfectly portrayed the thrill of gambling. The story is about two friends in need of money that decide to pay off their large debt playing poker. Seeking for high-stakes games, the two friends got addicted to the adrenalin rush. The movie depicts beautifully how poker pros live their lives.

Ocean’s Eleven – Steven Soderbergh

Featuring Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle and Andy Garcia, Ocean’s Eleven is a must when it comes to gambling movies. It tells the story of Danny Ocean (George Clooney) who gets out of prison in seek for revenge on the one who put him in there in the first place, a casino owner. He gathers a team of casino experts and hustles to help him organize and put in action a heist in order to make the casino owner pay for his years in prison.

Killing Them Softly – Andrew Dominik

This is a movie that shows what happens when you decide to rob mafia bosses. The story is about a guy who’s hired to rob a mafia-hosted illegitimate high-stakes game. Of course, this act doesn’t go unpunished by the mafia who starts an investigation to get to the end of the one who organized the heist, murdering anyone on their way suspected to take part in the robbing.