There was a time when gambling in casinos was portrayed in a very specific way in films and on TV. In short, it tended to follow stereotypes with the sophisticated male players dominating the tables.
If there were any females present, they would likely provide just an extra touch of glamor, and if they were playing games at the tables, they would probably be eliminated in the early rounds of play. The recent rise of real money social casinos USA has played a part in the growing trend for women players. The option to play for money, or simply for fun at these outlets has led to more female customers coming on board. The changes in film and TV stereotypes may have played a part in that development.
Casinos are for everyone, and, in the modern day, those stereotypes are being challenged. A host of top female actors have defied the traditional view of women players, and they’ve left a legacy for others to follow.
Sharon Stone: Casino (1995)
The 1995 release, Casino, is thought by many to be the best movies in this category. One of the key characters, Ginger McKenna, benefits from some brilliant casting with Sharon Stone taking the role. It’s a classic film of the genre with Robert De Niro’s character Ace Rothstein taking charge of a typical Las Vegas gaming room.
Stone was at the peak of her career in the mid-1990s, taking on some feisty female roles, and she’s a perfect fit to play McKenna. She proves that casinos are a place for all, and we’re now starting to see that across online play and in physical gaming halls.
Many current players will remember Sharon Stone’s brilliant portrayal of Ginger McKenna. A troubled hustler with an excellent understanding of gameplay, her character was one of the first to defy traditional female stereotypes.
Jessica Chastain: Molly’s Game: (2017)
Molly’s Game is arguably the most notorious casino-themed movie of all time and it was one of the best events of 2017. It’s fascinating because it is based on a true story that gained huge notoriety. Having been forced to abandon her winter sports career due to injury, Molly Bloom opens an underground poker room.
Among her many clients are a number of top celebrities, including actors and athletes. The subject of the film goes against most casino stereotypes, but Jessica Chastain’s brilliant performance of an innovative and cunning businesswoman seals the deal.
Carole Bouquet: For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Many of the early James Bond movies build the notion of female stereotypes, but the producers addressed this issue in 1981. For Your Eyes Only featured Carole Bouquet taking on the role of Melina Havelock.
As one of the central characters, Havelock needs to be a complex person, and Bouquet brings out every side of her personality. This isn’t your average Bond Girl: Melina Havelock is a brilliant strategic thinker and her intelligence is a great asset while at the casino tables.
Havelock is a great all-rounder too, with excellent physical attributes that make her a skilled diver.
Jennifer Tilly: Let it Ride (1989)
As a professional poker player, Jennifer Tilly was a perfect choice to play Vicki in this 1989 release. Those looking for a more authentic female casino player may be disappointed to learn that ‘Vicki’ is initially introduced as a love interest, but we quickly discover she has more to offer.
Tilly’s character really knows her way around the poker tables, and Let it Ride is given that extra touch of authenticity due to the fact that a pro player has taken on the role.
Jennifer Tilly 
Jessica Chastain 
