As the name implies, Casino is a place to gamble, but most casinos offer much more than just the chance to try your hand at poker or roulette. These glamorous entertainment destinations usually feature restaurants and bars, live entertainment and hotels, and are filled with a vibrant atmosphere that creates an intoxicating buzz as champagne glasses clink and patrons try their luck at games of chance.
People in casinos are a diverse bunch, but they all share one thing in common – they’re having a great time! There’s something about the music blaring, the coins clinking and the excitement in the air that brings out the best in everyone. Even the most jaded person can’t help but feel at home here and, while there may be some tutting when things don’t go your way, most people just let the good vibes take over.
The casino’s business model ensures that it will make a profit, irrespective of the outcome of any given game. Every game offers a built-in advantage to the house and it is very rare for a casino to lose money in the long run. This is why they are so careful with their security. Casinos are equipped with high-tech surveillance systems that give them an eye-in-the-sky view of every table, window and doorway. This allows them to spot patterns and anomalies that can indicate that someone is trying to cheat or steal.
In addition to the sophisticated surveillance system, casinos are also well-staffed with employees who know how to spot a suspicious patron. They also follow a set of routines in how they deal cards and manage tables, making it easy for them to recognize suspicious behavior. In addition, the casino’s “eye-in-the-sky” surveillance system is supplemented by a network of video cameras that can be moved to focus on specific areas of the building or specific patrons.
Casino is the movie that captures what it means to be in Las Vegas, laying bare its roots in organized crime while capturing the essence of the city’s opulence and neon lights. While other movies and shows only scratch the surface, this epic drama provides a true picture of how Vegas became the hub of international mafia operations with tentacles reaching into politicians, the Teamsters union and the Midwest mafia in Kansas City.
While De Niro carries the film with his portrayal of Ace, Sharon Stone is a close second as the blonde hustler Ginger McKenna. Building on her success from Basic Instinct, she’s a force to be reckoned with and at times is nearly impossible to look away from. Joe Pesci adds another element of tension as the amoral Santoro and the two form an unlikely duo that keeps you captivated throughout the movie.
While the violence in this movie is a bit over-the-top (an eyeball popping torture scene and a bat beating that had to be edited drastically to avoid an NC-17 rating), the truth is that these real-life characters did experience violence at some point. Scorsese tries to balance the action with a sense of honor and fair play, showing the actual machinations that occur when mob bosses get too greedy and their underlings rebel against them.
