Casino is a story of greed, betrayal, and murder in the Mob-ruled town of Las Vegas. Unlike other epic crime dramas like Goodfellas, Casino doesn’t glorify mob life but shows us how ugly it really is. Its depiction of violence and avarice makes it hard to root for any character. But in the end even the bad guys get their comeuppance.
Traditionally casinos are designed to encourage people to gamble, spend time there, and keep coming back. They reward loyal players with “comps” (free goods and services), ranging from food and drink to free rooms, tickets to shows, and even limo service and airline tickets. Casinos also use lighting, opulent decorations, and the sound of slot machines to create a euphoric environment that compels people to keep playing.
Casinos also employ security measures to protect patrons and property. They use cameras in the ceiling that give them a high-tech eye-in-the-sky view of every table, window, and doorway. These cameras can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons by security workers in a room filled with banks of monitors. Casinos also have a staff of security guards that patrol the floor, and they use facial recognition software to identify problem gamblers.
When a casino opens in a community it boosts local economic activity by bringing in tourists who spend money at restaurants, hotels, and other attractions. But critics argue that the economic benefits of casinos are offset by the costs of treating compulsive gambling and lost productivity among local residents who work in casino businesses.