What Casino Films Get Right and Wrong About the Real Thing
Casinos come with an incredibly glamorous aesthetic that many movie producers have not missed out on attempting to re-create. The world of the casino in films is often one of mystery, organised crime, shady dealings, impossible enigmas, beautifully dressed casino goers and dens of sin and debauchery. As exciting as all of this might sound, the real casino is often quite different, but there are some things that these glitzy film casinos have taken from the real thing. In this article, we’ll explore what casino films get right about the real casino world, and what they get wrong.
No Attention Paid to the Online Gambling World
Casino films tend to always leave out the most popular way that casino games are accessed, through online casino platforms. Instead, they place their characters in brick-and-mortar establishments, often going head to head from across the table, cocktails in hand
Of course, we understand why. James Bond’s Casino Royale would have quite a different vibe if our titular protagonist 007 and the sinister Le Chiffre were going head to head in their infamous poker game on their phones, from the comfort of their own home. But that does not mean online casinos don’t deserve some spotlight in popular media.
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Dress Codes
Many casino films, such as the famous heist movie Ocean’s Eleven, show the casino scene to be one for the highly elite, with only the best-dressed in attendance. Although there is some realism in this, it’s certainly not the case for every casino. High-end and luxurious casinos expect much more from their guests when it comes to how they present themselves. We’re talking black tie attire, like what you see in the movies.
However, not all casinos, in fact, most of them, are not as luxurious as the movies would have you believe. The average casino doesn’t exactly have a dress code, and casual attire is acceptable, to a certain degree. If you are attending a casino, irrespective of your bankroll, remember that you are there to make money and that you are stepping into an establishment with certain expectations. It’s good to present yourself well and not appear too shabby, else you might look a little out of place.
Smoky Dens
There is something about films that still glamorises smoking. We don’t want to let go of the strange aesthetic we built around the vice when we were less clued into the consequences it could have on our health. Because of this, casinos in films tend to show a lot of gamblers with cigarettes or cigars in hand, maneuvering them between their fingers as they look at cards and push chips. One only has to look at the movie Casino to see this in action.
However, this is not the case in real brick-and-mortar casinos, at least not ones in the United Kingdom. Traditional casinos are subject to the same laws that all other entertainment establishments must follow, meaning that smoking or vaping is not allowed in the casino grounds and doing so can lead to being kicked off the premises. Smokers need not worry, however, as most casinos will have a smoking area somewhere in the establishment that you can use when needed.
Crime and Corruption
Another thing casino movies like to highlight in their films is massive organised crime, often spearheaded by many of the casino goers themselves. We understand the appeal; casinos do have an air of mystery to them, and are often attended by some wealthy individuals, but the idea that these establishments are some kind of crime den is entirely fictional.
In fact, because of the nature of casinos being a hub of gambling, these institutions have to follow massive amounts of laws and regulations to ensure everything is happening above board and all individuals, including casino goers and staff, are being offered all necessary protection and security. In fact, there have been many casinos that have received hefty fines, or even been closed down entirely, because they failed to follow even one of these rules.
Final Thoughts
There is certainly something appealing about the world of the traditional casino that makes it an excellent setting for movies. Although a lot of the goings on within these settings might be loosely inspired by real casinos, or even filmed on the premises of real casinos, they are often incredibly overexaggerated for the sake of the audience. A film about a real casino and its goings on would likely be nowhere near as exciting as the stories brought to us in casino films, which is part of the reason why we love them so much.