FOUR FILMS THAT FEATURE GAMBLING

Do you enjoy gambling? And if you do, what type of things do you like to place a bet on? A game of cards? A real-life event?  Or how about the outcome of a competitive sport? Well, whatever tickles your fancy, you might like to know that sports-betting and online casinos are more prevalent than ever before, but only because of the recent expansion in the U.S. markets. So, in the name of all things green, gold, and silver, Ka-Ching!, I thought you might like to check out the following list of four films that shine a spotlight on gambling. Each entry includes a video clip, some information about the film, as well as how it’s connected to gambling. In addition to this, I’ve also added an extra slice of trivia for good measure. So go on, shoo, check it out, and then once you’ve done that, afterwards, you might want to consider using a parlay calculator to see how much you can make by combining two or three bets.

Name of Film: White Men Can't Jump / Year of Release: 1992

Director: Ron Shelton / Actors: Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson, and Rosie Perez

Cost of Production: $31 million / Box Office Total: $90.8 million

Connection with Gambling: The overall plot centers on two basketball players from Los Angeles, California, who both try to make some money by doing what they do best... shoot hoops and hustle.

Trivia: Before Woody Harrelson was cast into the role of Billy Hoyle, the studio considered Keanu Reeves, David Duchovny, and Charlie Sheen to play the part instead.

Name of Film: Rounders / Year of Release: 1998

Director: John Dahl / Actors: Edward Norton, Matt Damon, and Gretchen Mol

Cost of Production: $12 million / Box Office Total: $22.9 million

Connection with Gambling: The story revolves around a reformed gambler who gets sucked back into the competitive world of poker playing.

Trivia: Despite being released just a couple of years before the big online poker boom, this movie still became a near-instant cult classic within the poker community. Allegedly, the main character (played by Matt Damon) was loosely based on Norm MacDonald (best known for his time on SNL), even though Norm himself has publicly denied any such connection. 

Name of Film: Molly’s Game / Year of Release: 2017

Director: Aaron Sorkin / Actors: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, and Kevin Costner

Cost of Production: $30 million / Box Office Total: $59.3 million

Connection with Gambling: This biopic was based on the memoirs of Molly Bloom, who was once a professional skier that ended up running high-stakes poker games for celebrities, millionaires, and members of the mob, after suffering a serious injury on the ice.

Trivia: For the sake of authenticity, real-life professional poker players were hired as extras to play the numerous card games featured throughout this film.

Name of Film: Gladiator / Year of Release: 1992

Director: Rowdy Herrington / Actors: Cuba Gooding Jr., James Marshall, and Brian Dennehy

Cost of Production: $20 million / Box Office Total: $9.2 million

Connection with Gambling: One part of the plot focuses on a young boxer who’s compelled to join forces with an unscrupulous boxing promoter in order to pay off his father's gambling debts.

Trivia: Coincidentally, the two main stars of this sports-film, James Marshall and Cuba Gooding Jr., share exactly the same birthday... the 2nd of January. Although, in terms of age, they are one year apart. Can you guess who's older?

So, what do you think of that, dear reader? What do you think of this list that features four films which focus on gambling? Was it good? Bad? Or ugly? Either way, for more interesting facts, check out this article on celebrity poker players, or feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.