The Most Unforgettable Casino Characters in Fiction
From gripping horror films to thrilling comedy-of-errors, gambling has long been a captivating theme in fiction.
Gambling movies often center around characters who risk their lives for a big win, often run underworld operations or super spies. It’s always intense and thrilling!
1. Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro)
Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro) is one of the most iconic casino characters in fiction. Based on Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, a Chicago mobster who owned a casino in Las Vegas, Ace is an incredibly intelligent and successful sports handicapper and casino manager.
He’s also a Control Freak and somewhat of a bully in his relationships. After being sent to Las Vegas by mob bosses, he quickly gains success running Tangiers Casino.
Nicky Santoro is hired as Ace’s protector, but things quickly spiral out of control when he uses violence and his desire for attention against her. With Nicky at the helm, things quickly get out of hand.
Nicky’s life spirals out of control and he is ultimately killed by the mob bosses. This real-life incident from the 1970s is well documented at The Mob Museum and can be viewed today.
2. Mike McDermott (Matt Damon)
Matt Damon made a lasting impact with his Oscar-winning performance in Good Will Hunting in 1997, but it was his role as Mike McDermott in Rounders that cemented him as an iconic figure within poker. After losing all his bankroll to Russian mobster Teddy “KGB” (John Malkovich) during a game of poker, Mike vows off gambling and dedicates himself to studying law school instead.
McDermott finds himself drawn back into the underground world of high-stakes poker when his childhood friend Worm (Edward Norton) needs to pay off his debts. Through Damon’s creation of one of fiction’s most memorable casino characters, McDermott becomes embroiled in this underground world once again.
The movie started off to receive mixed reviews, but quickly earned itself a place in pop culture history. A darkly comedic tale follows two friends as they navigate the murky world of illegal underground poker. While not perfect, this must-watch for anyone interested in casino poker culture.
3. Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci)
Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) is a daring character and doesn’t hesitate to take risks. As an Chicago Outfit street thug, he rose through the ranks to become Ace’s enforcer in Las Vegas.
He is notorious for his temper and has been barred from most casinos in Las Vegas, according to Nicholas Piliggi’s book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas. According to Nicholas Piliggi’s account of him in Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas, he had a reputation among his gangmates for having issues with anger management.
He’s one of the most captivating characters in the film, offering audiences a thrilling ride every scene. You never know if he’ll crack a joke or get killed by an aggressive blackjack dealer – making him one of the most beloved characters. Although he can be chilling and intense, you can’t help but fall in love with him.
By the end of the movie, the bosses have had enough of their gang’s one-time enforcer; his unauthorized murders and burglaries are becoming too much for them to handle. Furthermore, he sleeps with a married woman against the made-man code, an act which proves too much for them to handle.
4. Raymond (Dustin Hoffman)
Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) is an autistic man with a photographic memory who can solve complex problems quickly and count hundreds of items. Though unable to make eye contact, his remarkable memory and mathematic prowess amaze even him.
Rain Man is a timeless classic and one of the greatest films ever made about autism. Directed by Barry Levinson, it stars Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman as brothers trying to come together after their father’s passing.
Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) decides to take his brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) to Las Vegas in order to pay off his debts. They soon start winning big money, which baffles the casino pit bosses who eventually blacklist them both for their abilities.
