Many movies have been filmed in casinos, but only a few of them became blockbusters. Even fewer managed to immortalise once-great casinos that later went bankrupt. However, these movie casinos found their place in gambling history. Find out more about famous cinematic gambling places below.
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The first film on our list features one of the most famous fictional MI6 agents -- James Bond. Although he visited many glamorous casinos throughout his films, the oldest and the most bankrupt-prone was Kazimir Palace in Polands. The building served as a location for the infamous 2006 movie Casino Royale, where the main character, played by Daniel Craig, earned his first licence to kill.
However, contrary to the extravagant movie decor, the Kazimir Place didn't have a roof made of gold when the producers filmed it. In fact, it wasn't even open at the time. Instead, the crew created an opulent gaming room with intricate chandeliers, plush sofas, and golden tables covered in green felt. They also built a full-scale model of the façade since the interior of the actual building couldn't portray the intended Baroque style.
In the end, the casino appeared in two brief scenes. Firstly, Bond receives his infamous licence to kill after beating the Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen) in a risky game of poker. Secondly, the French politician Rémy Lecevre tries to seduce M (Dame Judi Dench) while unsuccessfully trying to cheat at roulette.
Unfortunately, the casino never lived up to its big screen glory. It declared bankruptcy only four years after filming and shut its doors in 2011. Today, locals plan to turn the property into a hotel or apartments, thus saying goodbye to the casino's gambling past.
Fun fact: Another Polish casino, Soplica in Klodzko, appeared in the 1974 James Bond spoof The Man With The Golden Gun. Unfortunately, it's in a much better financial position than Kazimir Palace.
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Although Casino Royale gave an unsuccessful casino and its staff members a fantastic, albeit short-lived fame, another Martin Scorsese's film took it to a new level. The 1995 drama Casino chronicles the rise and fall of two California brothers who befriended the Chicago Outfit and eventually became part of Las Vegas' crime scene. Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro), better eyesight, and gambling skills get hired to manage the recently opened Texaco Stadium Casino (later known as Cinema Studio Casino) and lure in high rollers.
Of course, Scorsese didn't look for a soundstage to shoot the casino scenes. Instead, he chose to film at the legendary Binion's Horseshoe. Despite being small compared to modern resorts, the casino was among the top poker destinations worldwide during Ted Binion's management. That's why the production company had no problem convincing the owner to let them shoot there. On the contrary, Binion even promised to reopen the poker room at night if the crew finished filming by 6 p.m.
Even though the producer Robert De Niro persuaded Binion to paint over the "Poker Room" sign and replace it with ones that read "Sam's Town," the casino still appeared under its name. Furthermore, some scenes featured Binion himself and several regular players.
of The Most Popular Real Money Slots You Can Play Online In 2023After the film came out, however, things went downhill. The cinemagoers learned that the depicted events were based on true events and that Ace's fate could become Nick's (Joe Pesci) and Ginger's (Sharon Stone). Consequently, Binion's Horseshoe lost its reputation as a top poker destination and declared bankruptcy ten years later. The casino operated until 2004, waiting for a buyer to revive it. Although a couple of investors showed interest, none of them followed through, forcing the city to raze the property in 2009.
Tropici Palms -- Paris Is Us
It often happens that struggling artists make a deal with the devil to reach stardom, and the 1998 black comedy Paris Is Us is no exception. After losing her job as a lounge singer, Larry Bishop (Julie Newmar) decides to throw in her luck at a local casino. Not only does she win big at the slot machines but also meets the manager Irving Swanson (Chevy Chase), who hires her to perform every night. Soon afterwards, Larry notices that something's off about Irving and his son Teddy (Max Perlich): they keep a close eye on the casino's cash register and force workers to do dangerous stunts for cheap medical care. To make matters worse, they start treating Larry unequally after she finds out about their scheme.
Best Casinos near Lake Geneva, WI - World's Top CasinosAlthough the movie received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike, Redditors remember it for featuring the now-bankrupt Tropici Palms Hotel and Casino. Filmmakers changed the name to Casino des Fleurs to fit the story's Parisian background. Still, some parts were shot at the Nevada resort, including the lobby, pool area, and stage performances. Interestingly, the production company paid the casino owners to let them film yet convinced them that Julie Newton would attract plenty of visitors. Supposedly, this led to conflicts behind the scenes because the actors had to simulate the crowd's noise instead of performing in front of a live audience.
Regrettably, Tropici Palms didn't benefit from its cameo and shuttered in 2010. As of 2023, the property remains abandoned due to environmental concerns and asbestos contamination.
Tangier Casino-- Casino (again!)
Although Binion's Horseshoe stole the spotlight in Casino, the 2006 black comedy also featured the Tangier Casino. The establishment stood behind the plot's main conflict — Sam's order to allow big bettors to play despite knowing they're backed by the mob. The move earns him trust but costs the casino a fortune. Nevertheless, the filmmakers decided to contact the real-life Tangier Casino and ask if they can shoot a scene there. Fortunately, the management agreed, and they even offered to pay for the privilege! As a result, the movie showcased the high-end venue one last time before it shut down two months later.
Unlike Binion's Horseshoe, MGM Grand Tuscany (the casino's official name) didn't struggle financially after losing its cinematic glory. Instead, the property suffered from the MGM Mirage's rebranding campaign and moved away from old European themes. Consequently, the company closed Tuscany Hotel & Casino in April 2007 and plans to demolish it and build a parking lot. So far, the ruins stand untouched, alongside other nearby casinos that went bankrupt.
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Not all casino movies depict lavish establishments filled with high rollers. Some focus on family-friendly gambling places, like the one from the 1925 comedy Go Bears. The silent film follows the University of California, Berkeley students who gamble on whether the coach's little bear statue will topple whenever he tries to lean it against a file cabinet. As you might guess, it always falls no matter how he positions it.
Although the movie is considered lost, we know that most scenes took place inside Stuebe's Casino in Berkeley, California. Besides gambling props, the venue featured a zoo with exotic animals, a bowling alley, billiards, and a restaurant. Furthermore, patrons could rent rooms on the upper floors. The casino was popular among students until police officers raided it in 1933 and accused the owner of violating gambling laws. Although Joseph Stuebe spent a month in jail, the court acquitted him due to insufficient evidence. Nevertheless, it was the end for Stuebe's Casino — the owner closed it shortly afterwards and transformed it into a marketplace. The building survived until 1968, when a fire destroyed it completely.
Go Directly to Bankruptcy
Although numerous movies feature gambling venues, only a handful became box office hits and immortalised casinos that later went bankrupt. Some even helped capture the Art Deco movement’s spirit and serve as gambling history artefacts. However, unlike Doyle's Bar from IT, these cinematic casinos didn't survive the test of time. Instead, they joined the ranks of the most iconic casinos that went bankrupt. Luckily, other cinematic gambling places prosper and attract movie producers to this day. For instance, this list of the contains several properties that may appear in future blockbusters. Who knows? Maybe one of them will become as famous as the ones above and meet the same unfortunate fate.
best online casino bonus indiaAbout the author:
Peter Clayton
Peter is one of the journalists and writers for GamblingSites.com. When he isn't writing about the latest advancements in technology and gamble, he enjoys playing the stock market and, of course, gambling responsibly on the latest sports.
