What Are The Most Popular Filming Casino Locations In The US?

Image by young soo Park from Pixabay

Casinos in the US often find themselves becoming the main filming spots for various movies that explore the topic of gambling and wild casino nightlife. Whether you’ve already visited them or are planning to do so in the near future, here are our top recommendations.

Keep in mind the US casino locations we’ve chosen are only a small fraction of the overall gambling scene in the States. For a complete list of US casinos, you can find detailed information at Casinos.us.

Without any further ado, the following are some of the best casinos in the US you should visit, all of which have played an important role in the movie history:

1. The Mirage (Vegas Vacation)

A well-known entry in the Vacation franchise took place at the Mirage, a big-name Las Vegas casino. In fact, the casino has been around for 30 years, making it one of the most established casinos in the US with both a household name and a rich history.

If you ever happen to be driving around Vegas, be on the lookout for a gigantic prop volcano – it’s right in front of the casino, making it quite hard to miss. As soon as you see a Polynesian-inspired building, you’ll know you’re at the right place. Inside, there are 3000+ rooms you can avail yourself of in case you’re looking for accommodation.

2. Caesars Palace (The Hangover)

Now, who doesn’t remember the 2009’s cult comedy classic about a group of friends who woke up one day in Vegas following a wild bachelor’s party with no recollection of the events that transpired a night before?

The Hangover, one of the best Vegas comedy movies, was filmed at Caesars Palace, a well-known US casino. With a respectable tradition of 50+ years in this business, you’ll quickly come to know why this is one of the top casinos in the US.

As is evident from the name itself, there is a massive roman sculpture right in front of it, depicting Augustus Caesar, the legendary historical figure and the main star of Hail, Caesar!

But this casino is not just for show. Inside, you will find the kind of luxury that’s worthy of the great ancient roman emperor’s name. While you’re there, don’t miss out on one of the shows that often have the casino’s premises as their central stage.

3. Bellagio Hotel & Casino (Ocean’s Eleven)

This heist-themed movie took the world by storm when it first launched and it’s still worth watching today. The story revolves around a group of thieves hellbent on getting away with robbing the richest gambling establishments in the world, including casinos in the US.

The movie was filmed in many US locations, including New York, Chicago, New Jersey, and – you’ve guessed it – Las Vegas. In fact, a good part of the most memorable scenes of Ocean’s Eleven were filmed in the Bellagio Hotel & Casino and you can almost relive these moments in person by visiting.

4. Planet Hollywood Casino (21)

Having been built slightly more than a decade ago, Planet Hollywood Casino is one of the relatively younger casinos in the US. It almost feels as though it was built exactly for becoming a legendary movie scene when 21 was filmed in the year 2008, a big popular culture hit that focuses on exploring the intricacies of blackjack.

In the movie, a young group of MIT students embark on a quest to outsmart the casino by colluding and engaging in a sneaky tactic known as card counting, the kind that can actually give you an edge against the house if executed correctly. At the same time, it also requires a sharp mind and quick thinking to be able to calculate the odds in time.

5. Various Casinos in the ’90s (Casino)

As an honorable mention, we have Casino, directed by the king of cinema Martin Scorsese which is one of the biggest casino-themed movies in the 90s that are really worth a watch. It’s quite a testament to the casino architecture of these times that eventually got replaced by a more modern and minimalistic design typical of the 21st century.

What’s special about it is that it was filmed exclusively in Las Vegas, it’s where the most famous casinos in the US can be found. Keep a close eye on the background and you’ll notice several iconic locations and monuments that still stand to this very day. There is nothing like the spirit of Las Vegas.

Conclusion

When all is said and done, there is no better place to film a casino-themed movie than Las Vegas and some of the other popular US casino locations. After all, numerous works of popular culture draw inspiration from these iconic locations, and it’s what ultimately gave birth to some of the finest movie classics of all time. Care to stop by and admire them in person?