A casino is a gambling establishment with a variety of games that involve chance. Some have an element of skill, such as blackjack and video poker. Others, like roulette and craps, have a mechanical component, such as a rotating wheel or dice. Many casinos have elaborate security systems to prevent cheating and other crimes. The design of a casino is intended to create an exciting atmosphere where patrons can let loose and have fun. They are often flashy and extravagant, with loud music and lots of places to eat and drink.
Because of the house edge, it is difficult for casino patrons to win more than they spend on their gambles. However, casino managers try to make the experience enjoyable enough for patrons to return and spend more money. This strategy is called customer retention. Casinos earn money by taking a commission on the bets of their highest-stakes patrons, in addition to the house edge on each individual game.
After the success of Goodfellas and Raging Bull, Martin Scorsese decided to take a fresh approach to an old story with Casino. The film is an underworld epic that stars Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci as crime legends Ace and Nicky. While the violence is still present, Scorsese tries to make the movie as entertaining as possible. He succeeds, but not without making the film a sanitized version of ’70s Vegas. Still, like Boogie Nights a few years later, Casino is a period piece that imagines a hellscape.