A casino is a place where people can play various games of chance for money. Its etymology suggests the word originally denoted a villa or summerhouse, and it’s not uncommon for modern casinos to boast elaborate entertainment venues along with their gaming facilities.
There’s something about a well-done casino movie that gets viewers gripping the edge of their seats in suspense. It’s not easy to create a movie with a gambling theme that entertains the audience, but those who get it right can produce films that become classics.
Casino, released in 1995, is one such movie. The cast is led by Robert De Niro in perhaps his best performance as mobster Tommy Scalise, but Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci are also excellent. It’s not just the action and thrills of a casino that make it a great film, though – its depiction of mob life in Vegas provides a fascinating glimpse into an era when mafia control was the norm.
Gambling is not for everyone, and it’s important to understand that a casino’s profits are not guaranteed. Even if a gambler wins big, the casino has a mathematical expectancy to make money, and large bettors are often offered extravagant inducements in the form of free spectacular entertainment, luxurious living quarters, reduced-fare transportation, and food and drinks while gambling. Those who gamble compulsively or for long periods of time can find themselves losing their money faster than they can win it.