Casino – The Economic Impact of Casinos
Depending on where they’re located, casinos generate significant tax revenue for local governments. This can be used to help fund basic community services, avoid cuts or increases in taxes elsewhere, and even provide jobs for struggling neighborhoods. In fact, many gambling establishments have a larger economic impact than other large businesses like restaurants or hotels.
Casino lays bare the seedy underbelly of Vegas, which many people don’t know about. While other movies show opulence and weekend bus trips, Scorsese’s movie dives deep into the real Vegas experience. And it does so with compelling drama and intriguing characters.
The movie is a rumination on corruption and greed that permeates the city’s culture. It is filled with violence and treachery, and every key character gets their comeuppance in the end. The most shocking scenes in the movie are the acts of violence and torture. But Scorsese does not use these acts for shock value or style, and they are a true reflection of the world these characters inhabit.
The movie is also an interesting study of psychological triggers that keep patrons coming back for more. Whether it is the bright, temperate environment or the constant supply of free alcohol and food, the casino is designed to be insidiously addictive. The layout is deliberately labyrinthine, and there are no straight aisles that lead to the exit. Instead, curved paths are strategically placed to catch your attention as you wander through, convincing you to play that one more round of roulette or spin that one more slot machine. In addition, the booze keeps you from remembering how much you’ve already lost.