Casino is a thriller that explores the darker side of Las Vegas, a place where casinos make money by making people lose it. Unlike other movies that glorify the neon and opulence of Las Vegas, director Martin Scorsese delves into its roots, laying bare an intricate web of corruption that stretched from the Vegas mob to politicians, Teamsters unions, and even the Midwest mafia. And while he does not skimp on the violence, he still portrays the characters as dashing underworld heroes (think the torture scene involving De Niro and Sharon Stone or Joe Pesci’s murder), although each character is flawed in their own way.
The reason casinos can be such a fun environment to play in is because of the artificial, manufactured experience they create for their patrons. They waft scented oils into their ventilation systems to give the place an odor of freshness and happiness, which, when combined with flashing lights and joyous sound effects, can keep players gambling longer. Plus, they offer complimentary food and free stays at adjoining hotels so that gamblers can meet their basic human needs without leaving the premises.
And because of this, a casino can actually turn a profit on each game played, if the math is done correctly. Each game offers a house edge and variance that tells casinos what kind of profit they will make over time, and casino mathematicians are on the lookout for those little edges and spikes that might tip the balance one way or another.