A casino is a place where gambling activities take place. It can also include extra amenities and services to attract and retain visitors such as restaurants, free drinks, stage shows and dramatic scenery. However, casinos exist even in places without these luxuries. They simply need to provide an environment where games of chance can be played and where gambling is the primary activity.
While many people have negative associations with the term “casino,” most know that this type of establishment is about much more than just playing a game of chance. It is also about winning, and the sense of achievement that comes from a successful wager. And, of course, it is about having fun and socializing with friends.
Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci are the pillars of the cast of Casino, but it is the script that makes this one of the great casino movies of all time. From the opening sequence with a popped eyeball to the brutal end scene, Scorsese captures both the excitement and the seedy underbelly of Sin City.
Casino is a classic example of the value of knowing your audience. It would have been easy for the filmmakers to get lost in a litany of stereotypes about gamblers and the casino experience, but they never succumb to this trap. The movie is a riveting three hours from start to finish, and Scorsese manages to keep the action lean and taut throughout. This is no easy feat, considering that Casino depicts the sexy, violent underbelly of Vegas.