Casino is an epic film about the mob’s entanglement with Las Vegas casinos. It stars Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a smart bookie who is given the opportunity to run the Tangiers hotel and casino in Las Vegas by mob boss Frank Rosenthal (leads from Goodfellas). He marries a drug-addicted hooker/con-artist trophy wife, Ginger McKenna, and partners with mob strongman Nicky Santoro, completing the trio that began with Raging Bull.

The precise origins of gambling are unknown, but it is believed that it has been part of most societies throughout history. Today, casinos are like indoor amusement parks for adults, with most of the entertainment based on games of chance, such as slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and keno. They also include restaurants, bars, and meeting and banquet facilities. Most of these games have a house advantage, which gives the casino an edge over the players.

With avarice, betrayal and violence as the central themes, Casino is not easy viewing. But it succeeds as a gritty and literate drama that resonates even for those who dislike organized crime movies. Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci both deliver excellent performances. While there are no good guys in this movie, we are convinced that these sleazeball characters will get their comeuppance. With its bleak depiction of human greed and treachery, this is a movie to be treasured. It is also a reminder that the human spirit can survive almost anything.