A casino, like a movie theater or shopping mall, is an indoor entertainment destination that has a lot going for it. Musical shows, lighted fountains and lavish hotel accommodations are all part of the appeal. However, casinos are primarily places where games of chance are played and the bulk of the billions in profits that they rake in each year come from gambling.
When it comes to gambling, love and trust are dicey propositions, and the majority of gamblers are better off relying on blind luck. For this reason, casinos are often the target of cheaters and thieves. In order to thwart these attempts, they spend huge amounts of time, money and energy on security. In addition to the usual armed guards, many casinos have high-tech eye-in-the-sky surveillance systems that monitor every table, window and doorway in the facility.
In the world of movies, it is a rare thing for a story about casino gambling to be anything other than riveting. In fact, a well produced casino film has the potential to be a timeless classic. That’s why so many directors have taken on the subject over the years. But perhaps no one has tackled the topic as successfully as Martin Scorsese in his two classics, Goodfellas and Casino.
Both films follow a similar narrative structure, but there is a distinct difference in tone between the two. Goodfellas presents the story of a young mobster, while Casino follows the middle-aged career of Ace Rothstein (Robert De Niro). Although Scorsese was still in his prime as a filmmaker when he made Casino, he had already surpassed the youthful exuberance of his earlier work and the movie feels more like a mature look at obsolescence and mortality than an all-out mob drama.
The movie focuses on the rise and fall of casino gambling mogul Sam “Ace” Rothstein, who is a crooked, untrustworthy, but nevertheless successful businessman in the world of Sin City. Although he is not above using his position in the criminal underworld to make a quick buck, he does not lose sight of his ethical boundaries.
The movie explores the machinations of the casino industry, including how casinos make their money and the history of popular gambling games. It also explains the sexy world of casino comps, which reward loyal players with free hotel rooms, meals and tickets to shows. A casino’s comp system is based on how much you play and the stakes you are betting, so be sure to ask the information desk or someone at your table about how to get started. Also, if you have any questions about the legality of casino gambling in your area, check with your local gaming authority. The casino industry is regulated and overseen by state authorities in most regions. Those who run casinos must obtain licenses and pay taxes on their profits, which can be very lucrative. A few of the most famous casinos in the world include the Bellagio in Las Vegas, the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco and the Casino Lisboa in Lisbon.