Casino, a Martin Scorsese film that is set in Las Vegas, gives viewers an inside look at the glitz and glamour of the gambling Mecca. But besides the opulent lights and neon signs, it also reveals the dark side of casinos, which are often linked to organized crime and corrupt politicians. Casino is an epic drama that delves into the mob’s past ties to the city. It also demonstrates how legalized gambling can be an economic boon to a local community, especially in the areas surrounding the casino.
Gambling is a very addictive activity, and many people find themselves hooked on it. In fact, some people have a difficult time stopping even when they are losing money. For this reason, it is no surprise that casinos spend a lot of money on security. This includes having an eye on the gamblers’ actions, making sure that no one is cheating or stealing. Some casinos even have surveillance cameras that monitor the gambling rooms.
Something about the casino environment encourages people to cheat, steal or scam their way into a big win. It may be the high stakes or the dazzling lights that are designed to appeal to our senses. The sounds of slot machines, bells, whistles and clangs are constant; more than 15,000 miles of neon tubing is used to light the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. Casinos use a number of psychological tricks to draw in the players. For example, the slots are arranged in a maze-like fashion to entice gamblers to take more chances. Casinos also offer comps, or free goods and services, to entice high rollers to return.
In the modern era, casinos have become choosier about who they accept as patrons. They focus more on high rollers, who often gamble in special rooms with more lavish personal attention than the average player. These high rollers are expected to spend tens of thousands of dollars, which helps the casinos offset their low percentage payouts.
Many towns and cities depend on gambling revenue for a large portion of their budgets. This income can help the local government to avoid cuts in other services and keep taxes down. In addition, it can also boost local businesses and increase property values.
The cast in Casino is outstanding. In particular, Robert De Niro delivers a powerhouse performance as Ace Rothstein, the man who runs the casino. Sharon Stone is also brilliant as the blonde hustler Ginger McKenna, and Joe Pesci plays his character with a dangerous menace. The movie clocked in at almost three hours, but it never lags or loses steam and is riveting from start to finish. In addition to the stellar acting, Casino is filled with bravura set pieces and a taut script. It is no wonder that the movie has won so many awards and nominations.