You stride into a Luxor, Mohegan Sun, or Tropicana casino, wallet in hand and your hopes high. You’re here for a night of enjoyable, sensible gambling and maybe two rounds of cocktails. Hours later, you’re not sure what time it is, or how much money has disappeared from your bankroll. This is the feeling many of us get vicariously from casino-themed movies like Casino, where Sharon Stone’s blonde hustler Ginger McKenna reigns supreme.
Casino is a brilliant depiction of how casinos manipulate their patrons to keep them playing and spending money. The movie’s flashy lights, sounds, and physical design are all designed to trick you into thinking your odds of winning at a table or machine are higher than they actually are. And when you do win, you’re rewarded with cheers from other players and staff, which create a false sense of possibility that you can continue to win.
The film also points out how casinos use algorithms to increase near-miss outcomes, which can make a loss feel like a victory. These techniques are designed to help casinos maximize their profits, even though they can have a harmful impact on their guests.
Unlike many other Vegas films that focus on the town’s glitzy, glamorous side of organized crime and weekend getaways, Casino dives deep into the seedier history of Las Vegas. Its dark, riveting story makes for a gripping watch, and Martin Scorsese’s direction is masterful throughout the three-hour runtime.