Stepping into a casino is like stepping into another world – one that’s designed around the idea of gambling. Whether it’s a slot machine, poker table or blackjack game, casinos offer a variety of games that test your skill against other players, and the potential for large wins that can give you a thrill unlike any other.
In addition to their wide range of gambling games, casinos offer a host of other amenities to keep you coming back for more. This includes free hotel rooms, meals and tickets to shows for those that spend a lot of money. This is known as comping, and it is an important part of casino business strategy.
Something about gambling seems to encourage people to cheat, steal or scam their way into a jackpot. This is why casinos put so much time and money into security. Fortunately, it’s often easy to spot criminal activity in a casino because most people follow certain patterns when playing their favorite games. The way dealers shuffle cards, where they place their bets and even the expected reactions of players all follow certain routines.
Following the resounding success of Goodfellas, Martin Scorsese recruited stars Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci to star in Casino. And in many ways, the film is a spiritual sequel to that gangster classic. But while it’s clear that the filmmaker is convinced of Ace and Nicky’s vision of the good old days, there is a healthy dose of skepticism in this movie that laments the transformation of Las Vegas into a family-friendly theme park.