Casinos are places that entice people to gamble by making it fun, exciting and social. They do this by introducing an element of chance and a sense of community to gambling games like slots, poker or craps. But there is something else that makes casinos such an inviting place to play and that’s the excitement of not knowing what is going to happen next. This is what keeps people coming back time and time again.
Something about the thrill of risk and the possibility of a big win encourages many players to cheat, steal or scam their way into a jackpot instead of waiting for random chance to work its magic. This is why casinos spend a great deal of money and effort on security. Elaborate surveillance systems with cameras that watch every table, window and doorway are in place throughout the facility. Security workers can monitor all of the action from a separate room with banks of screens so that they can see suspicious patrons and act fast.
The movie Casino is a powerful portrayal of corruption and greed in the gaming industry. The film lays bare the intricate web of crime that was centered in Las Vegas with tendrils reaching into politics, labor unions, mob families and the Teamsters. It stars Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein and Joe Pesci as Nicky Santoro, completing a trilogy of mob movies directed by Martin Scorsese that started with Raging Bull and Goodfellas.
