4. The Tangiers Casino Was Fictional—But Based on Real Venues
While the Tangiers Casino is a work of fiction, its roots are firmly planted in the real-world glitz and grit of the Stardust, Fremont, and other legendary Las Vegas hotspots. Although they had to change the name, snippets of the Hoagy Carmichael song “Stardust” can be heard on the soundtrack, giving a subtle hint as to the casino’s true identity. These casinos were glamorous playgrounds that doubled as hubs for organized crime in the 1970s. The stories of these venues, packed with intrigue and risk, inspired the film’s central setting. Learn more about Vegas mob history.
