Casinos are facilities where people can wager money on games of chance or skill in the hope of winning more cash or prizes. They typically offer table games like blackjack and roulette, as well as slot machines and video poker. They may also have a variety of other entertainment options like lounges, bars, and restaurants. In addition, most casinos are licensed and regulated by governments to ensure they operate within the law and provide players with a safe gaming environment.

While most movies that depict Las Vegas only show a glitzy world of opulence and weekend parties, Casino does an excellent job of digging below the surface. It lays bare the sleazy origins of Vegas and exposes its ties to organized crime. The movie is replete with corruption, violence, and treachery, but Scorsese manages to keep it riveting from start to finish.

A lot of the violence in Casino is over-the-top, but that’s only because it is based on real events. The torture of De Niro by a vice, the car bombing of Sharon Stone, and the subsequent murders are all disturbing, but they reflect the true nature of gambling in Vegas in that era.

Nowadays, casinos are choosier about their customers. They focus on the “high rollers,” those gamblers who spend tens of thousands of dollars in one session. These gamblers are often given VIP treatment, including free luxury suites and other perks. They are usually middle-aged women from affluent families, with college degrees and high-paying jobs.