The Most Popular Gambling Movies in Canada
The list of gambling films is quite long. In fact, such movies seem to be of great interest to those who like to enjoy casino games, sports betting, or other wagering-related activities. Read this article to find the most popular gambling movies in Canada. We are sure you will all find a title to put on your to-watch list.
Are There Many Canadian Gambling Films?
As mentioned earlier, there are numerous films on the subject of gambling. While not many of them were made in Canada, we have found a few great titles that are absolute masterpieces. We recommend you read each of the following sections to find the one that’s right for you. Almost every film shows how addictive gambling can be if one plays recklessly. Those of you who are looking for a new movie to watch will definitely find this read helpful. And now, without further ado, allow us to introduce you to the first Canadian gambling movie on our list.
Owning Mahowny
First on our list of gambling movies made in Canada is, of course, Owning Mahowny. The film is based on true events, inspired by the self-admitted compulsive gambler Brian Molony. He is one of Canada’s most famous gamblers and embezzlers who stole millions of dollars from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, where he worked.
He used the money to gamble in different land-based casinos. At one point, he would stake more than $1 million a night. The lead role was played by the talented actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman, also known for his role in The Hunger Games. Sadly, he passed away in 2014.
The film is considered one of the best gambling movies in Canada because it shows what gambling addiction can lead to. The main character is called Dan Mahowny, and throughout the film, we see how greedy he becomes without realising the consequences of his actions.
The film was released in 2003 but is still popular with casino aficionados today. Hopefully, many gambling enthusiasts will think of Mahowny’s deeds and the unfortunate outcomes of them when they gamble at even the best online casinos in Canada.
Lucky Girl
Elisha Cuthbert brilliantly portrayed the character of Kaitlyn in the film Lucky Girl. Kaitlyn is a beautiful high school student who is very interested in gambling. At first, she plays poker with her friends and scratches lottery tickets – nothing alarming. But eventually, Kaitlyn starts laying wagers on sporting events. Her parents notice that she is quite fascinated by football and basketball but believe it is just a phase.
Unfortunately, Kaitlyn’s grades deteriorate, she starts taking loans from anyone who will give her money, and she ends up in a situation where her life is in danger. The movie is a good choice for anyone who wants to learn more about the negative consequences of reckless gambling. Plus, it’s one of the very few gambling-related movies where the main character is actually a female.
Cold Deck
Our third pick is Cold Deck – one of the absolute best gambling movies in Canada. The thriller was released in 2015, which makes it relatively new when compared to the rest of the films listed on this page. Stéfano Gallo, Slater Jewell-Kempker, Jason LaPeyre, and Paul Sorvino play the main roles.
In the film, we meet Bobby – a compulsive gambler who cares for his mother. Although she does not approve of his habit, Bobby seems to be obsessed with it, and it is not long before he joins the wrong crowd. To pay off his debts, Bobby becomes part of a high-stakes poker game hosted by a man named Turk.
This event marks the beginning of a series of dangerous, illegal, and unpleasant situations for Bobby. The filming of the movie takes place in Ontario, and in just one year, Cold Deck is released. Some film critics call the film lacking in suspense, but, at the same time, many people enjoyed watching it and gave it a good rating.
The Last Casino
Last but not least, we have The Last Casino. This French-language Canadian gambling drama is a film about card counting. It was released in 2004 and stars Charles Martin Smith, Kris Lemche, Katharine Isabelle, and others. The story is inspired in some ways by the MIT Blackjack Team. This was a group of students from various educational institutions who used card-counting techniques to win at blackjack in casinos.
In the movie, we see the mathematics professor Doug Barnes playing blackjack with special card counting strategies. Due to specific circumstances, Barnes eventually assembles a team of students with whom he shares his knowledge. This is a must-watch gambling-related film and is often considered one of the top-rated blackjack films.
Frequently Asked Questions
All of the Canadian gambling films mentioned so far are great for those interested in this genre. Even though some titles do not have impressive ratings, they are still good choices. Below, you can find detailed answers to some popular questions about these great films.
1️⃣ Is there a Canadian gambling-related movie with a female main character?
One of the most popular gambling movies in which the main character is a female is called Lucky Girl. It tells the story of Kaitlyn - a high school student who is obsessed with gambling. The drama portrays the risks associated with gambling in a great way.
2️⃣ What are the latest Canadian gambling films?
One of the latest gambling movies in Canada is Cold Deck. It was released in 2015 and introduces us to Bobby – a gambler who tries to pay off his debts by participating in illegal activities and playing high-stakes poker games.
3️⃣ Is the Owning Mahowny movie based on a real story?
Yes, Owning Mahowny is a Canadian gambling film based on real-life events. The story is inspired by the compulsive gambler Brian Molony, who stole over 10 million dollars from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, where he worked for years.
4️⃣ Are there many Canadian gambling films?
Unlike real-money online casinos in Canada, the number of Canadian gambling movies is not that exceptional. Nevertheless, as you already know, we have found a few excellent films for you to watch when you have the time. All of them are suitable for fans of casino games.
5️⃣ When was The Last Casino movie released?
The movie was released in 2004. The Last Casino is a French-language Canadian film that is certainly good enough to dedicate an hour and a half of your day to watch it. The movie is inspired by the MIT Blackjack Team, which is known for winning at blackjack by using special card counting techniques.