What movies inspired the gambling industry to turn them into slot games
Last updated: September 6, 2025
Casinos in general have been a big part of cinema for a long time. The classic, grand ballroom-style casino lends itself incredibly well to the art of film. Increasingly, we’re seeing this relationship the other way around, with movies that now seem to be inspiring casino aesthetics.
Where did this relationship start?
This symbiotic relationship really started to blossom in the 1950s-60s with films like the original Ocean's Elevenhelping bring mainstream attention to the bustling aesthetic of a grand casino floor. The James BondSeries of movies had a big impact on this movement as well, particularly Casino Royale, which made the character synonymous with high-end luxury casinos.
Apart from movies that have included or centred around a casino, high-end casinos have always lent themselves to a theatrical layout and atmosphere, with patrons and staff alike in full tuxedos or ballroom gowns, and lighting like a classic luxury theatre. They can very easily make players feel like they’re in a Bond film.
Taking the luxury online
Online gambling has taken the world by storm in the past few decades and has changed the casino industry forever. Online casinos can have a different atmosphere but have certainly taken a lot of inspiration from all kinds of media, including movies. No longer do you have to live near or make a trip to a real-world casino as you can access one from the comfort of your very own home.
The wide variety of slot themes
One aspect of online casinos that is clearly inspired by a variety of movies is the massive number of different themes available to the player at any given time. These are not limited to casino visuals either as they can range anywhere from high-octane Formula One-style racing themes to a much more relaxed fishing visual.
Of course, there are still plenty of classical high-end luxury casino themes to choose from if that's what you prefer. Regardless of your personal tastes, this open-endedness and focus on player agency is a big reason why a lot of these online slot sites are thriving.
Branded slot machines
Branded online slots are perhaps the most obvious aspect inspired by TV and movies. These offer licensed experiences based on your favourite films and shows. Even if they are not directly related to casinos, there are countless options to choose from if you want to immerse yourself in any given world. They can make you feel as if you’re sitting next to James Bond himself or fighting off hordes of zombies next to Rick Grimes in a Walking Dead-themed slot.
Where can you find these games?
As we’ve discussed, there are thousands of games and different slot machines available to the player at any given time, which may give you a slight case of choice paralysis. Fear not though, as industry professionals such as Leanna Madden, on behalf of Johnslots.com, offer in-depth reviews of many different slot machines where you can find lists of pros and cons, things to look for and things you should avoid. This is a great resource for anyone in the space to have access to.
The importance of security
This may not be as glamorous as choosing your next luxury online casino, but it is still very important to discuss. Cybersecurity is being increasingly talked about in online circles, and for good reason. You must keep your personal information safe and secure.
Cybersecurity isn’t too dissimilar from real-world casino security measures. Imagine doing your research beforehand, knowing that a casino is going to keep your information safe; that’s akin to checking that an online casino has an HTTPS connection, which is always at the beginning of a URL, so it’s simple to check. What this connection does is encrypt all data transmissions to and from the website. This encryption makes it much harder for people to intercept your data.
Imagine getting to a top-of-the-line casino and being greeted with large, muscular security guards dressed in suits and sunglasses, checking your ID to verify you are who you say you are. This is similar to a popular form of online security called two-factor authentication, which effectively requires you to validate yourself every time you log into your account. In addition to providing your password, this could either be through a text message to your personal number, a third-party authentication app or your email. This means that even if someone did get their hands on your information, they won’t be able to access any of your accounts.
What does the future hold?
The relationship between cinema and online slot machines is stronger than ever, showing no signs of slowing down. The industry will likely keep expanding, incorporating more intellectual properties into its repertoire, allowing players more freedom to choose what they feel like playing at any given time.
Along with the expanse of branded slot machines, it’s also likely we’ll keep seeing an increase in the variety of general themes available. As these can be based on similar base models with tweaked visuals, the upfront cost is typically low for the company while the range of atmospheres is extensive for the player.
Conclusion
It would be almost impossible to come up with a list of movies that inspired the gambling industry to turn them into games, as there are simply too many of them. Not only are there thousands of licensed slots, which can give you a specific branded experience, but there are an uncountable number of regular themed slots. One thing is for certain, cinema has had a profound impact on the gambling industry as a whole.
