What is a Casino?

A casino is a place for adults to let loose and play games of chance. They usually have flashy decor, upbeat music and food and drinks available. Some also have live entertainment like shows or bands. There are many different types of casino games to choose from including blackjack, poker, roulette and slot machines. Most casinos offer comps to their players such as free rooms, meals or even show tickets. These are based on how much a person spends or how long they are playing for.

Something about gambling (probably the presence of large amounts of money) seems to encourage people to cheat, steal or scam their way into a jackpot instead of relying on blind chance. That’s why casinos spend a huge amount of time, effort and money on security. Security starts on the floor, with dealers keeping their eyes peeled for blatant cheating such as palming or marking cards. Pit bosses and table managers have a broader view, looking for betting patterns that could signal cheating.

While Casino isn’t Scorsese’s most violent movie, it does contain some shocking scenes. But rather than use violence for shock value, he uses it to accurately portray the bleak underbelly of organized crime and human tragedy. De Niro and Sharon Stone are both excellent as the leads, with their characters mired in greed and treachery. Despite their crimes, we feel for these characters and root for them to get their comeuppance in the end.