The Casino movie is an unforgettable piece of art based on the true story of Frank Rosenthal aka “Lefty” played by Robert De Niro, and his friend Tony Spilotro played by Joe Pesci.

The movie Casino is happening in Las Vegas where we follow the story of two mobsters and best friends (Frank and Tony), who are creating their empire step by step. Lefty was a manager of the Fremont, Hacienda and chain of the Stardust casinos in Las Vegas. He worked for the mobsters from Chicago back in the 70s and 80s. The director of this cult film is Martin Scorsese and it is produced by Barbara De Fina in Universal Studio. Although it was released in 1995, it is still one of the most-watched and popular casino related movies.

10 Casino movie true facts ↓

A list of movies related to Gambling and/or poker. This list is made for the users of the Gaming community www.GamingHill.com where you can find a lot of more Gambling related stuff (tools, reviews, entertainment, games, forums etc). About Casino Listings. The Casino Listings project started as a spare-time, two man, website back in 2007. Both experienced advantage players and bonus hunters that had played at scores of different casinos, we wanted to share our experience and expertise in dealing with online casinos.

We can see a lot of brutal scenes in this movie but having in mind that the movie has some parts that are based on real events, in this article, we will discover top shocking details about this movie that are really true.

#1 The main characters in the movie are based on real-life mobsters

All the characters in the movie Casino are based on real-life individuals. Robert De Niro plays the character Sam “Ace” Rothstein, which is based on Frank Rosenthal. Nicky Santoro is based on the character Anthony Spilotro, Ginger McKenna is based on Gary McGee and Phillip Green is based on the character of Allen Glick.

#2 In preparation for movie Robert De Niro met Frank Rosenthal

In the image above is Frank Lawrence Rosenthal aka Lefty. He was born on June 12, 1929, and died on October 13, 2008. Frank was was most famous for his connection in organized crime but also he was a Las Vegas casino executive and professional sports bettor.

Robert Deniro due to preparation for filming was met in person with Frank to get to know the character he is playing. Everything went smoothly without incident.

#3. Frank Rosenthal did survive a car bombing

The reality is that someone’s life is like a movie, just because of such individual cases, and films are made. Frank Rosenthal is one of those. In the movie Casino, we will see a scene when Sam “Ace” survives a car bomb, and that scene is actually based on a real event that happened to Rosenthal.

#4 Spilotro really had an affair with Geri

The triangle drama between Santoro, McKenna and Rothstein really affects the outcome of the movie between several characters. Rosenthal’s ex-wife McGee and Spilotro are said to have had an affair in real life, but whether it ended as in the movie is unknown to us.

#5 Spiltro and his brother were ambushed in real life as in the movie

After a car bomb under a Rothstein car, we get a chance to see one of the most iconic scenes in the history of mafia movies, namely Dominick Santoro and his brother Pesci being ambushed by Frank Marino in a cornfield.

They thought the Santoro brothers were behind the attack and, in retaliation, were killed and buried in the same cornfield. In real life, this happened to Santor’s pal, Anthony Spilotro, who was allegedly buried with his brother in the cornfields of Indiana.

#6 The costume budget of the movie was $1 million

Yup, the budget only for costumes in the Casino movie was about $1m. Sharon Stone had around 40 different outfits in this movie, while Robert De Niro changed different 70 costumes during the filming. The interesting facts were that after the shooting was over, they both were allowed to keep their outfits.

#7 The scene of Casino being demolished at the end is real footage

Yes, the scene at the end of the movie when the Casino imploded is the actual footage of the demolition of The Dunes Casino from October 1993 and January 1994. This spectacular event occurred in front of 200,000 spectators and was one of the first to create that spectacle. On the former grounds now stands Bellagio Casino.

#8 All scenes were recorded at the Riviera

All casino scenes where shot at the Riviera in Las Vegas. Due not to get in the way of the real gamblers, scenes were shot between 1:00 am and 4:00 am. The casino didn’t want the filming to interrupt its business, but that did not prevent them from trying to lure more players inside by putting up a large add that said ” Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone Inside Filming the New Movie “Casino” inside”!

#9 Sam Rothstein’s attorney is a lawyer in real-life who defended real mobsters

Oscar Godman in the movie Casino plays Sam Rothstein’s attorney and in real life, he is also an attorney who defended several well-known mobsters with Las Vegas connection. He was elected as Mayor of Las Vegas in June of 1999.

#10 The most difficult thing about filming the Casino

The producers of the movie revealed that one of the most difficult things related to filming was to find people who could tell them how to cheat in the casino. We must have in mind that the movie was filmed back in the ’90s and we did not have technology like today.

Check out the documentary about the Casino movie 1995 on youtube here.

Top 5 casino movies of all time

The movies are based on many interesting real-life themes, but the Casino theme and movies with happenings in Las Vegas are really special and make one unique impression.

As we bring this article to the end, we have to mention a few other casino films worth mentioning, including Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Casino Royale, Ocean’s 11, and The Gambler and online poker related movie Runner Runner with Justin Timberlake as the main character.

Related: 10 interesting casino facts that you probably didn’t know!

Sources:

• www.tvovermind.com/19-interesting-facts-movie-casino/
• www.hnmag.ca/the-bottom-line/10-interesting-facts-about-the-movie-casino/

Watching movies on the best casino and gambling games such as poker and baccarat is a great way of spending your leisure time. Casino Online (คาสิโนออนไลน์) and Gclub (จีคลับ) have prepared a list of 10 best movies about casinos and gambling that you should add to your watch list.

10. Owning Mahowny (2003)

Movies About Casinos And Gambling Games

Owning Mahowny tells the gambling story minus the glitz and glamour. It is based on the memoir of Philip Seymour Hoffamn, a Canadian bank manager who embezzled money from a bank to fund his gambling trips and pay his bookie. Although he depicts the role brilliantly, he is equally pathetic and only tries to hold on as much as possible. He amasses more debt until it is no longer possible to hide the missing money. Eventually, his life deteriorates due to debt.

9. The Cooler

The thrilling movie depicts William H. Macy as the “cooler”, a good luck charm that casinos hire him to stand at their tables. Macy helps the casinos to restore their house edge. Nevertheless, his fortune changes and he becomes a lucky charm for many Vegas gamblers. Overall, the movie is thrilling in the way it provides a glimpse into the luck concept of gambling.

8. The Sting (1973)

The movie is set in September 1936, revolving around professional grifters, Robert Redford and Paul Newman, who make a successful duo to con Robert Shaw, a mob boss. Robert fancies good gambling and has been after the character of Redford after being swindled. The Sting has various turns and twists, unlike other gambling movies. It gets even more complicated as danger of the protagonists escalates.

7. Mississippi Grind (2015)

The movie tells the story of gamblers heading south to a high stakes poker game in New Orleans. Ben Mendelsohn, a gambling addict, believes that Ryan Reynolds, his new friend, is a charm, and thus, tags him along. With a striking resemblance to the 1970s gambling movies in Holywood, its principal themes are regret, addiction, and depression, as manifested half-drunk cans of beer and stale cigarettes. Overall, Mississippi portrays gambling as a sorrowful hustle.

6. Molly’s Game (2017)

Molly’s Game tells Molly Bloom’s real story. Molly, a previous skiing champion changes careers after an accident and venture into underground poker. Molly’s Game offers a glimpse into the illegal yet profitable and addictive game, while Molly rises to become a household name in setting up high-stake games. The movie is thrilling, and introduces us to heartbreaking characters such as Bill Camp, a hopeless gambler. Watching him drown in gambling is terrifying.

5. Rounders (1998)

Arguably, a favorite movie on gambling and casinos portrays Will Hunting and John Malkovic, engaging in a no limit face off game in Texas. The movie further covers the bleak gambling addiction side. Excellent performances by these characters indicate that there is no allure of the short-lived associated with gambling. Nevertheless, the dark humor limits someone from thinking about the imperfect nature of human beings and the meaningless of life.

4. The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

It is one of the classic casino and gambling movies. Although premiered more than 50 years ago, the last hand scene still stirs debate among movie lowers and gamblers. Experts of poker consider it laughable to throw poker, whilst movie lovers are concerned about the kid’s growth, coming of age, and his high-handed youthfulness. Whether you are a lower of classics or you are focused on poker mechanics, this movie needs to be part of your watching list.

Movies About Gambling

3. The Gambler (1974)

The Gambler provides a glance into the mind of a gambling addict’s in the best possible way. James Khaan depicts an authentic and genuine character of Axel Freed, a high school teacher who has a severe addiction for gambling threatening to destroy him. Even after losing a huge bet on basketball, he continues gambling recklessly and wins a casino, which he loses just as fast. Gambling pushes him to further self-destruction and debt, reminding viewers of the adverse effect of uncontrolled gambling.

2. Casino Royale (2006)

Casino Royale will be interesting for you if you fancy James Bond’s movies. The main character, James Bond taking up the character of a rookie agent, begins an assignment as 007 where he should conquer Le Chiffre, an employee of the terrorist organizations. Intelligence uncovers Le Chiffre’s plans to use a high-stakes baccarat game to generate money, and therefore, James Bond has to win against him, an act that is likely to harm the crime organization. It is perhaps one of the most interesting movies in this niche as it unravels private high stake casino gaming.

1. Casino (1995)

It is the most popular gambling and casino movie. The story revolves around the memoirs of Joe Pesci Star and Robert De Niro. De Niro acts as a “bookie” who operates Vegas casinos for his bosses. The other character, Nicky Santoro, is a criminal, whose actions endanger them. The movie takes the trade to another level and its unique scenes distinguish it from other mob gambling movies