The Glamour of Risk: Casino Fashion in Film and TV
Last updated: May 13, 2025
From the glint of a gold cufflink to the rustle of a satin gown, casinos have always been about more than cards and chips. Film and television know this well. Over the years, some of the most memorable on-screen moments have unfolded beneath chandeliers, beside roulette tables, or in the shadowy corners of high-stakes poker rooms. The wardrobe choices in these scenes are rarely random. Casino fashion, both in real life and on screen, communicates wealth, power, mystery, and sometimes danger.
The association between casinos and glamour dates back to Hollywood's golden age. Think of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack in Ocean's 11 (1960), strutting through Las Vegas in tailored tuxedos. Or the Bond girls of the Sean Connery era, always perfectly dressed, even as bullets flew.
TV has picked up where films left off. In Peaky Blinders, the Shelby clan frequents back-room betting dens in sharply cut three-piece suits, wool coats, and flat caps. Though far removed from Vegas glitz, this kind of dressing still screams power and control. Fashion in these moments acts like a poker face, revealing and concealing at once.
Glamour and the Online Casino Boom
The style associated with casinos has long been a draw. As gambling moves into digital spaces, that sense of glamour still plays a role, especially in advertising and branding. Online casinos not on GamStop are particularly known for marketing that leans into luxury themes. From sleek website designs with deep red and black tones to VIP programmes promising “exclusive” treatment, they reflect a fantasy that mirrors what we see in film and TV. This image of effortless wealth and indulgence continues to appeal, even without the physical setting of a casino floor.
Bond’s Wardrobe at the Tables
No discussion of casino fashion would be complete without James Bond. From Dr. No to Casino Royale, Bond’s tuxedos have become synonymous with cool under pressure. Daniel Craig’s 2006 appearance in Casino Royale rebooted the franchise’s style with a sharper, more modern fit. Bond doesn’t just wear a suit. He inhabits it. The clothes match the stakes.
Eva Green as Vesper Lynd also left a mark. Her purple halter dress in the same film became an instant classic. It made her stand out in a sea of black and grey. In a room full of secrets, fashion was used to draw the eye and suggest the power dynamics at play.
Ocean’s 8 and Female Power Dressing
While male-dominated casino style has its place, modern TV and film have made room for powerful female statements. Ocean’s 8 (2018) flipped the franchise with an all-female heist team. Though not a traditional casino movie, the Met Gala scene mirrors casino fashion closely with formal wear, high stakes, and everyone watching everyone else.
Each character’s look was deliberate. Cate Blanchett’s slick suits oozed confidence. Rihanna’s tech-savvy Nine Ball wore streetwear, but in a luxury cut. Sandra Bullock's character moved between elegance and restraint. These choices weren’t background details. They were character blueprints.
TV’s Love for the High-Stakes Wardrobe
Television is often more grounded than film, but when it deals with casinos or gambling, it tends to raise the style bar. HBO’s Luck gave us Dustin Hoffman in power suits, prowling racetracks and boardrooms. More recently, Billions blends finance and gambling themes with high-end style, showing how people dress when the cost of losing is more than just money.
In Peaky Blinders, gambling and betting dens are never far from the plot, and the show’s signature look of three-piece suits, long overcoats, and flat caps became a fashion trend in its own right. The characters dress not just to impress but to intimidate and assert control in an uncertain world.
In Empire, while not a gambling show per se, scenes in casinos and high-stakes meetings are frequent, and the characters wear bold, designer outfits that reflect their ambition and status. Even shows like Las Vegas (2003–2008), which followed the inner workings of a fictional casino, placed heavy focus on stylish uniforms, evening wear, and sleek suiting to sell the glamorous image of the industry.
A Fashion Gamble That Pays Off
Writers and costume designers know exactly what they're doing when they dress a character for a night at the tables. Whether it’s a tuxedo hiding a wire or a ball gown masking intent, the clothing is part of the game. Casino fashion in film and television isn't about practicality. It’s about the message it sends.
When a viewer sees a character adjust a cufflink or smooth a dress before placing a bet, something shifts. The stakes feel higher. The drama gets sharper. And the clothes? They just might be the ace up their sleeve.
