Whether it’s the high-stakes world of casinos, the thrill of pulling off a heist, or the allure of luxury and excess, fictional casinos have captured our imaginations for decades and no doubt contributed to the rise of online social casinos like Chumba.
From classic films like Ocean’s Thirteen and Casino Royale to modern video games like Grand Theft Auto and Fallout, casinos have provided the backdrop for some of the most exciting and memorable moments in entertainment.
Let’s take a look…
Casino Royale (2006)
A must-have for this list, the 2006 movie, Casino Royale introduced Daniel Craig as this generation’s 007. Set in Montenegro (in the movie, not Ian Fleming’s original novel), Casino Royale is where James Bond defeats Le Chiffre in a game of cards. In the movie franchise, Bond is no stranger to the high-roller casino life, martini in hand, but Casino Royale is definitely at the top of his list (and ours).
Celadon Game Corner, Pokémon Red (1996)
While the original game technically isn’t in the 21st century, its remake and sequels certainly are – though many of those may be mysteriously lacking the original Game Corners. If you played through Kanto back then, you’ll remember the Celadon Game Corner (or Rocket Game Corner for those in the know) and its slot machine minigames as the only way to get Porygon. It was, of course, Team Rocket’s not-so-secret hideout.
For later generations, Game Freak chose to remove any minigames of chance, sparking controversy. In actuality, it was just about keeping the PEGI rating low.
The Bank, Ocean’s Thirteen (2007)
Named after Al Pacino’s Vegas kingpin character, Willy Bank, the Bank Casino and Hotel is the target of Ocean’s revenge heist. To take down Bank and the Bank, Ocean and his team orchestrate an elaborate scheme to rig the games on its opening night, causing the casino to lose millions of dollars. They also use various distractions and cons to manipulate the casino’s security systems and thwart Bank’s attempts to catch them.
The New Vegas Strip, Fallout New Vegas (2010)
For those adventuring in the Mojave Wasteland in 2281, the New Vegas Strip is the place to be. Fallout New Vegas’s post-apocalyptic version of the Las Vegas Strip is a glamorous (yet highly fortified) destination for the wealthy and powerful survivors. There are several iconic casinos including The Tops, Ultra-Luxe, Gomorrah and Lucky 38, each run by an equally iconic faction you can join (or destroy). It’s also home to the Vault-Tec museum for fans of the franchise to enjoy.
The Red Dragon, Rush Hour 2 (2001)
One of the more visually spectacular casinos on this list, The Triads’ Red Dragon in Vegas is everything you could want or expect from a casino: lions, acrobats, dragons, pyrotechnics, high-rollers and a front for organised crime. The traditional Chinese architecture is really what makes it such a stand-out setting for the second Rush Hour movie. And you of course get the classic trope of Inspector Lee and Detective James Carter pretending to be high-rollers. What more could you want?
Lotus Casino, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)
Fans of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series will definitely remember the first movie’s iconic scene in Lotus Casino. This may be because it simulates an opium-like experience to the sound of Lady Gaga’s Poker Face… for kids. But really, it’s the modern take on the mythology of the lotus tree that makes it special, as waitresses hand out lotus flowers to guests so that they forget everything and play in the Lotus Hotel for all eternity.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas & Online (2004 & 2013)
Remember the casinos of San Andreas? While there were more than ten major casinos dotted around Las Venturas, you’ll likely fondly recall the frustration of only being able to play inside three of them. Still, for those of us growing up back then, it was our first taste of Las Vegas.
As the second-best-selling game of all time, GTA V is one many of us will have played at some point. But did you know, after remaining unopened for six years, in 2019 you could finally play (and heist) in The Diamond Casino and Resort? It’s everything a player could ever want: roulette, blackjack, Three Card Poker, horseracing and a truly stunning rooftop terrace and infinity pool.
Canto Bight, Star Wars: Episode VIII (2017)
A bit of a controversial one next. While many of us think The Last Jedi should be completely wiped from memory, it did introduce us to the fun and lively yet unnecessary casino planet of Canto Bight. It’s described as “a terrible place filled with the worst people in the galaxy” which is saying something considering the Star Wars universe.
Fun fact: after designs not feeling “Star Wars enough”, the creative team used original 1980s drawings for Jabba the Hutt’s palace in Return of the Jedi to inspire Canto Bight.
Honourable Mention
The Tangiers in Casino (1995), based on The Stardust Resort & Casino, deserves an honorable mention on this list. Like number 2, this isn’t a part of the 21st century, but since this was written by a Pokémon fan, that one made the cut (forgive the writers’ bias).
Looking at this list of fictional casinos, it might be time for someone to create a casino that isn’t a front for crime or shenanigans. What about the good old-fashioned love of the games?
