Casino is not just one of Martin Scorsese’s best movies — it’s also an epic history lesson about Vegas. It reveals how mob corruption infiltrated the city and how huge gambling corporations seized control. And while the movie depicts violence and may be shocking at times, it doesn’t sugarcoat anything. The torture of De Niro’s character, the attempted car bombing of Sharon Stone and the gruesome murder of Joe Pesci’s characters are all very real, as is the fact that casinos are not for everyone.
Whether you’re an experienced gambler or have never set foot in a casino, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of all the lights, sounds and games. But the truth is that everything in a casino is designed to lead you into spending more money. There are sound cues that make you hear the sound of coins clinking, and physical design tricks that keep you glued to the floor. There’s a reason why you won’t see any clocks on the casino floor. The goal is to make you lose track of time so you can play for longer.
In addition, most casinos offer comps to frequent players, a way of rewarding people who spend lots of money. They might give you free drinks, meals or hotel rooms or even limo service and airline tickets. This is not a bad thing, but it does reveal how much more money you’re likely to win than lose.