A Guide to Film’s Most Famous Casino Filming Locations

Vegas and movies go hand-in-hand. For over half a century films have showcased the progression of the City of Lights from a desert landscape to the bustling entertainment capital of the world it is today.

Futuristic masterpieces, like Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049 locations, featured Las Vegas as the abandoned wasteland where Deckard was living in seclusion.

Hollywood’s infatuation with Las Vegas continues, and we’d like to have a look at some of the famous casinos featured in the movies during the last decades:

The iconic casino was featured in this star-studded caper film and featured some of its luxurious décor, like the world-famous Fountains of Bellagio which are renowned for the way they dance to music. The film features some of the busiest locations in the casino, including the slots floor, roulette tables, and private rooms. At the beginning of the film, Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) is even shown teaching a group of celebrities the intricacies of poker.

This is one of the films that launched the Texas Hold'em poker craze in the early 2000s and encouraged more people to learn about the game. Nowadays, there is an abundance of online resources that help budding card sharks like Rusty Ryan learn the best tips and tricks for this popular game. So even if Brad Pitt’s character didn’t teach you the basics onscreen, hopefully he inspired you to enter a game or two if you ever get the chance to visit the illustrious Bellagio in person.

Having only been built 12 years ago and owned by Caesars, Planet Hollywood is a newbie among the plethora of old casinos on the Strip. It was featured extensively in the blackjack-themed film 21 about a group of students from MIT as they take on the Vegas casinos with their incredible - and highly illegal - card counting skills.

The film showcased many of the casino's gaming tables and hundreds of slot machines on its gaming floor. The resort’s hotel also features permanent shows like Jennifer Lopez and Gordi Brown Live. Much like the film, Planet Hollywood Casino is a foray into attracting the younger market, while still holding onto some of its more mature clientele.

The film continued the Vacation franchise and the Griswalds’ hilarious escapades. This time the troupe goes to Sin City where they visit the famous Mirage, meet Wayne Newton and Chevy Chase develops a love of gaming. The Casino is still around and has been open for almost 30 years.

Outside, its main attraction is a huge prop volcano that erupts every hour and attracts loads of tourists. The hotel has over 3,000 rooms for its guests to stay and this Polynesian-themed casino-resort is noted by Film Day as one of the top Vegas destinations for gaming aficionados. It features a massive gaming floor and thousands of options.

Arguably the most famous and well-known Vegas destination, Caesars Palace was featured in the 2009 bro-comedy The Hangover, where the Wolfpack visit for their friend’s bachelor party. Situated on the west side of the Vegas Strip, for more than 50 years this Roman-themed casino resort has been attracting gamers from around the world.

The massive likeness of Augustus Caesar even stands tall at the front of the resort, welcoming guests into his palace. Well known for some of the most luxurious hotel rooms in all of Vegas, the casino-resort also features some of the hottest Vegas performers like Rod Steward, Sir Elton John and Celine Dion in its massive Colosseum indoor arena.