If you think gambling means placing your bets on a slot machine, a poker table or a racecourse, then you are wrong. Well, that’s just one part of it. Gambling can also be in the stock market, in a game of chess or even in a game of cricket. But, when we say gambling, we mean betting money on games of chance or skill – which if done right, could fetch you some serious moolah. It is a risk, but a calculated one. From James Bond to Ian Fleming himself, everyone loves a good gamble.
Now, if you want to learn the tricks of this trade, all you got to do is grab a bucket of popcorn, find your comfortable spot on the couch and binge-watch these awesome gambling movies on Netflix, Amazon Prime and more. Who knows, you might just get lucky! So, here’s our list of 15 best gambling movies that will teach you how to gamble like a pro.
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This sports drama film was directed and produced by and starred , respectively. It is a spin-off of the 1961 film ‘The Huster’. Set 25 years after the previous film, ‘The Color of Money’ is the story of Fast Eddie Felson who, now a aging alcoholic, reunites with his former partner, now known as “Teach”. Together, they enter the pool hall circuit, where Eddie learns that his mentor has developed his own hustle.
Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day (2008)
Based on the novel of the same name by , ‘Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day’ is a comedy-drama film starring Frances McDormand and . It is the story of a middle-aged, socially-aspirational governess who takes a job with a wild young woman who draws her into the world of show-business, leading to some life-changing events. This movie is available on Netflix.
Rounders (1998)
Starring and , ‘Rounders’ is a crime drama film about a young, talented but struggling poker player Mike McDermott who owes money to the wrong people. In order to pay off these debts, he plans to enter the World Series of Poker, but soon finds himself embroiled in a fix when his friend Cole arrives from prison.
Croupier (1998)
Written and directed by , ‘Croupier’ is a neo-noir thriller film based on a 1979 novel of the same name by Clive Sinclair. Starring Clive Owen, Kate Hardie, and Gina McKee, the film tells the story of an unsuccessful writer who begins working as a croupier in a casino, where he overhears a plot to raid the casino.
The Sting (1973)
‘The Sting’ is a crime comedy-drama film starring and Paul Newman, directed by George Roy Hill. Set in the 1930s, the movie is the story of a skilled grifter, who along with a younger con artist, decides to avenge the murder of his partner by a ruthless mob boss.
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Betsy Bloom‘s directorial debut film, ‘Deal’, stars Mira Sorvino, Justin Long, Kate Bosworth and Emile Hirsch. It is the story of four friends - two couples - who meet regularly to play poker, hide their secrets behind false bravadoes and make dares. However, things take an unexpected turn when Bobby as a dare, mortgages not only his car but also his pregnant wife’s fertility to his friends. Now, he needs to win back what he has lost before the due date.
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Starring , Jodie Foster, James Garner, and , ‘Maverick’ is an American western comic drama film based on a television series of the same name created by Roy Huggins. Directed and produced by Richard Donner, the movie is the story of Bret Maverick, a gambler who, on his way to a biggest poker game, gets involved with armed bandits, a greedy female companion, and his father’s murder.
8+ Best Play Roulette Casino Sites in the USA - Top Rated Brands for 2023Owning Mahowny (2003)
Based on a true story, ‘Owning Mahowny’ is a biographical crime drama film starring Philipp Seymour Hoffman, Minnie Driver and John Hurt. It is the story of a bank manager who embezzles millions of dollars from his bank to fuel his gambling addiction.
The Gambler (2014)
Mark Wahlberg plays the lead in ‘The Gambler’, a dramatic thrill-comedy film, also starring Jessica Lange, Geena Rocero, Alvin Ing, and Michael Cera. The movie follows an Literature and Greek professor whose gambling addiction gets the better of him when he borrows money from a loan shark. He then sets a plan in motion to pay off his debt and continue with his affair with a student.
Husbands And Wives (1992)
Another Woody Allen film, ‘Husbands and Wives’ features an ensemble cast - Judy Davis, Sam Waterston, Sydney Pollack and Mia Farrow. It is the story of two married couples, close friends, whose perspectives on life and marriage change when a husband and wife decide to separate.
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‘Atlantic City’ is a drama film co-written and directed by Louis Malle. Starring Susan Sarandon, , Kate Reid, and Yvetta Mae Fisher, the movie revolves around Sally, a waitress and dance club queen who is friends with a corrupt gambler, Lou. When a heart attack leaves Lou semi-conscious, Sally takes over his business, hoping to save him as well as herself. However, things don’t go according to her plan.
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‘The Cincinnati Kid’ is a drama film set in the world of poker. It stars Steve McQueen, Edward G. Robinson, Ann-Margret, and Tuesday Weld. The movie is the story of an up-and-coming poker player called Eric “The Kid” Stoner, who aims to defeat champion Steve Brodie in order to earn the respect of his girlfriend and rival Howard Partington.
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Directed and produced by , ‘Casino’ is a crime drama film based on Nicholas Pileggi’s non-fiction book of the same name. Starring , Sharon Stone, James Woods and Kevin Pollak, the movie narrates the rise of a gambling empire in Las Vegas by two friends.
Swing (2013)
A French comedy-drama film, ‘Swing’ is written and directed by Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau. Starring Kyan Khojawhani, Swann Arlaud, Laurent Lafitte, and Jean-Hugues Anglade, the movie is the story of three friends who attempt swinging to revitalize their relationships and lives but end up getting into deeper trouble than they had anticipated.
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A religious satire film, ‘Monty Python’s Life of Brian’ is a 1979 comedy-drama film directed and produced by Monty Python members Terry Jones and Eric Idle. The film tells the story of Brian Cohen, a young Jewish woman born in Bethlehem around the same time as Jesus Christ. While being born, Brian is mistaken for Jesus, which creates several comical situations for him later in life.
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Written and directed by Robert Altman, ‘California Split’ is a 1974 drama film starring Elliott Gould and George Segal. It is the story of two gambling companions, Bill Denny and Harold Quitt, both heavy cigarette smokers and chain coffee drinkers, who share an apartment and a taste for women, booze, cigarettes and gambling. Their friendship ends when Bill starts winning big and realizes that he no longer needs Quitt.
These were some of the best gambling movies that you must have missed. So, what are you waiting for? Click on the links provided above to stream these films NOW!
Our Top Recommendations
Amongst all these amazing movies, our top recommendations are The Sting, Maverick, and Owning Mahowny. Based on a novel and a TV series with the same name, The Sting and Maverick are comedian-crime dramas while Owning Mahowny is a biographical crime drama film based on a true story. All the three movies feature brilliant star casts and wonderful storyline. Do watch them, if you haven’t already!
Reasons Why You Should Play at eCOGRA Certified Casinos (and One Drawback)If crime and drama aren’t your genres, we would suggest you watch Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day. It is a light-hearted comedy-drama movie based on a novel by Winifred Watson. The movie has excellent characters played by stellar actors.
Free Slots to Play Online - Top Free Slot MachinesFor those of you interested in gambling movies related to poker, Rounders is a great choice! It features Matt Damon and is a tale of friendship, betrayal, and poker. Another poker movie worth watching is The Cincinnati Kid. This classic drama film is all about the competition between an upcoming poker player and a legendary one.
Gambling needn’t always be restricted to cards and slots. California Split is a perfect example of this. This movie talks about two friends who love gambling and engage in various kinds of gambling, including horse racing and stock markets.
There are numerous other gambling movies on this list, each unique in its own way. We have movies about pool, show business, stocks, and what not! So, what say, are you ready to hit the gamble button?
