Casino – A Gambling Paradise
The most acclaimed of all casino films, Casino, is a riveting drama that delves into the seedy underbelly of organized crime in Las Vegas. It is a saga of greed, sex, murder and corruption. It is a must-see movie for anyone interested in learning about the mob’s long reach and the power of money in Las Vegas.
The film stars Robert De Niro as the cold-blooded Mobster Frank Lucas. He is a force of nature in the film as he manipulates everyone and everything around him. The supporting cast includes the legendary Sharon Stone as Ginger McKenna and Joe Pesci as the intimidating gangster Santoro.
Under the surface of flashing lights and free cocktails, casinos are engineered to slowly bleed patrons of their hard-earned cash. This is achieved through mathematically determined odds and house edge (the casino’s advantage over the player). Mathematically inclined people have tried to turn this system on its head, but they are typically shown the door when casinos catch them.
A visit to a casino is often a trance-like experience. It can be very easy to lose track of time and it is not uncommon for a person to spend several hours at a slot machine or table. This is particularly true for those who suffer from gambling addictions. These individuals often have difficulty leaving the casino even to fulfill basic human needs such as food or sleep. For this reason, casinos have a tendency to place restrooms and other facilities far from gaming sections.