Top 3 Las Vegas Casinos Used As Filming Locations

The vibrant city of Las Vegas has not only dazzled visitors with its world-famous casinos and iconic landmarks but has also played a starring role in numerous films. From the glitz and glamour of Caesars Palace to the breathtaking fountains of The Bellagio, these casinos have served as magnificent backdrops for some memorable movie moments. Let’s explore the allure of Las Vegas casinos used as filming locations and delve into the films that have brought these establishments to the silver screen.

The magic of the silver screen meets the ‘entertainment capital of the world’

Las Vegas has long been a sought-after location for filmmakers. Its world-famous casinos, the dazzling lights of the Strip, and iconic landmarks like the Bellagio fountains create a unique and captivating backdrop for storytelling. The city’s vibrant energy and larger-than-life atmosphere offer an ideal setting for both comedies, rom-coms and dramas. Las Vegas has become synonymous with entertainment and excitement, making it a natural choice for filmmakers looking to capture the essence of the casino culture.

From the unforgettable heist in Ocean’s Eleven to the comedic misadventures of The Hangover series, Las Vegas casinos have become integral to the storytelling of many films. Whether they serve as glamorous settings, gritty backdrops, or sources of comedic relief, these casinos lend an undeniable charm to the movies that feature them. As you visit these iconic Las Vegas casinos, take a moment to appreciate their contributions to the world of cinema, and let yourself be transported to the magical world of the silver screen.

Caesars Palace: A cinematic playground

Caesars Palace’s distinctive Roman-inspired architecture, extravagant amenities, and vibrant atmosphere have made it a natural choice for filmmakers seeking to immerse their audiences in the world of Las Vegas casinos. It’s a world-famous casino and one of the best known landmarks in Las Vegas. Whether it’s a comedy, drama, or suspenseful thriller, the allure and excitement of Caesars Palace have undoubtedly contributed to the success and impact of films like The Hangover, Rain Man, and 21.

The Hangover uses Caesars Palace as a central location in the misadventures of a group of friends on a wild bachelor party weekend. From the iconic entrance and the lavish suites to the bustling casino floor, this comedy perfectly captures the extravagant spirit of Caesars Palace.

Rain Man is another well-known film in the film industry which features Caesars Palace as a key location in the story of two brothers embarking on a journey. The film beautifully showcases the grandeur of the casino, including its fabulous statues, allowing viewers to marvel at the towering columns, intricate details, and sprawling gaming areas.

21 is another great film, based on a true story, which also features this iconic casino as a hub of high-stakes gambling and strategic card counting. The film captures the game of Blackjack and the electrifying energy of Caesars Palace, allowing viewers to experience the interior atmosphere of one of the world’s most famous casinos.

The Wynn Las Vegas: A glamorous filming destination

Is there any better filming location than the premises of one of the most well-known brands in Las Vegas? The Wynn Resorts brand is well-known on the Las Vegas Strip for its world-famous Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Las Vegas properties. Their online betting brand WynnBET has enabled them to  expand even further afield in the US. Making its debut in 2020, following a Nevada-only site that existed prior to the legalisation of sports betting across the rest of the United States, they have expanded into 9 states. They launched WynnBet in New York fairly recently following state legalisation there.

The luxury resort and casino of Wynn Las Vegas, with its modern elegance and luxurious ambiance, has left its mark on the silver screen, much like other Vegas casinos, and has been used as a filming location for the films, The Squeeze and Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2. With its sleek and modern appeal, the Wynn continues to attract filmmakers looking to infuse their stories with a touch of sophistication and grandeur.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, released in 2015, is another film that features the famous Wynn casino in Las Vegas. While many reviews of Mall Cop 2 did not prove too positive, it happened to be the first film to be shot on-site at the Wynn and even featured a cameo appearance from Steve Wynn himself. Mall Cop 2 was shot throughout the resort and provides a great filming location for a Las Vegas-set comedy film.

The Squeeze is another film from 2015 when Wynn Las Vegas made its debut as an on-site filming location. While Mall Cop 2 filmed throughout the premises, The Squeeze filmed on the Wynn golf course and the sleek Wynn and Encore premises are even featured on the poster for the film too on IMDb.

The Bellagio: An iconic filming hotspot

The Bellagio, renowned for its beauty and elegance, has become a magnet for filmmakers seeking a touch of sophistication for their stories. As one of the best known and most extravagant hotels on the Las Vegas Strip, seeing the Bellagio and its beautiful fountains are just one of the many greatest tourist attractions in Las Vegas.

The Bellagio’s timeless beauty, exemplified by its stunning fountains and elegant interior, has made it a prime choice for filmmakers. This iconic Las Vegas casino has graced the silver screen in notable films such as Ocean’s Eleven, The Hangover 3, and Jason Bourne, and many more, showcasing its captivating allure and cinematic appeal.

Ocean’s Eleven has one of the best-known features of the Bellagio fountains in film. After the thrilling and chaotic casino heist, the Ocean’s gang make it to the Bellagio to gaze up in wonder at the Bellagio Fountains together. The beautiful Clair de Lune plays as the team watches the beautiful water display before silently going their separate ways. As the Bellagio is one of the three casinos the team are robbing simultaneously, it seems a fitting final view for a successful heist.

The Hangover 3 brings the Bellagio back into the spotlight, but not quite as sophisticated as the Ocean’s Eleven scene. Of course, in true Hangover style, the Bellagio and Bellagio Fountains are featured in this film…as Chow parachutes down the Las Vegas Strip. The character truly gets a close-up view of the fountains as he glides with his parachute directly above the water sprays.

Jason Bourne is another classic action film which takes advantage of Las Vegas as a great filming location. Many interesting locations have been used for complex chase sequences, both on-foot and in vehicles, in the Bourne franchise, like on the streets of Paris in a Mini Cooper and the sniper action sequence in London’s Waterloo Station. But, in the fifth instalment of the franchise, Bourne has an epic car chase through the Las Vegas Strip with the Bellagio hotel serving as a backdrop.