A casino is a place where champagne glasses clink and people mingle, trying their luck at the tables or slot machines. It is also a place where, if you’re lucky enough, you can win big. But, there’s one thing you should know before you start gambling: the house always wins.
Gambling has been part of human culture for millennia, starting in 2300 BC with wooden blocks and dice and then moving on to playing cards around 800 AD. But, it’s only in the last century that casinos became a significant business with their own set of rules and regulations that help ensure their profitability.
The modern casino is a complex, multi-layered entity that’s designed to make it look inviting and fun – to keep you gambling. The design includes everything from delighting colors to interesting shapes and other visual elements that create a sense of luxury, excitement and intrigue. Casinos are often heavily staffed with security personnel to deter criminal behavior and prevent cheating. They also employ a high-tech ‘eye-in-the-sky’ surveillance system where cameras can be shifted to focus on certain patrons or areas at a time.
While most movies that portray Las Vegas only scratch the surface and show opulence and neon signs, Casino digs deep into Sin City’s roots and its dark past. At nearly three hours long, it’s one of Scorsese’s longest movies but it never lags or loses steam. It’s taut, masterful and a perfect thriller.