The word casino is often associated with the flashing lights and throngs of people that swarm around slot machines, tables and other games in Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City. However, casinos are found all over the world and can offer much more than just gambling fun. They can also boost local economies with jobs, tax revenue and tourism, provide social interaction, and offer a variety of games to appeal to different types of gamblers.

Whether it’s a night of poker or blackjack, roulette or slot machines, the thrill of playing at a casino is intoxicating. The lights, music and energy are enough to make anyone want to try their luck. However, it’s important to remember that gambling is not a charitable organization and there is always the chance you will lose money.

After Goodfellas became a hit, Scorsese took a huge gamble with Casino, which would star Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in a mob drama that doubled as a civic portrait. The film’s grittiness and realism set it apart from other gangster pictures, while its subtext of despairing moral compromises made it a resonant touchstone for the decade to come. And it was a tremendous career boost for Sharon Stone, who burst into the mainstream with her role as Ginger, a high-stakes hustler who exults in her ability to seduce men. She’s a perpetual motion machine, holding and at times leading the camera’s gaze. It’s a masterful performance that builds on and inverts her work in Basic Instinct and that will define her as one of Hollywood’s most powerful actresses.