Casino is a riveting depiction of human greed and treachery. Unlike other movies of its genre, Casino features no good guys – every key character is mired in violence and avarice. And although the movie is three hours long, it never lags or runs out of steam. Scorsese has masterfully edited this movie and used a taut narration to make it a lean, mean thriller that kept you on the edge of your seat. Robert De Niro is as brilliant as ever, and Sharon Stone is absolutely mesmerizing as the blonde hustler Ginger McKenna. Joe Pesci rounds out the cast with a performance that is truly menacing.
Gambling is fun, but it can also be a bit deceptive. It is easy to lose more money than you have, and it can be difficult to step away from the table or slot machine. Casinos know this and have built a number of tricks into their design to keep you gambling. They use sounds, lights, and physical design to create an environment that is both inviting and hard to step away from.
Casinos are often lit with bright lights that are meant to mimic the sun’s rays, making it impossible for you to tell what time of day or night it is. They also offer free drinks, knowing that alcohol will lower people’s inhibitions and increase their likelihood of taking risks. And they have a system in place to ensure that they will win more than you do – the house edge.