A layered and rich depiction of betrayal and destruction, Casino is the finest film of Martin Scorsese’s career. It carries some of the same elements as Goodfellas, but is more macro in its view of the world. Instead of focusing on blue collar gangsters, the movie shows how the mob ran Las Vegas and how it gradually broke down from hubris and greed.

Robert De Niro is brilliant as Sam “Ace” Rothstein, the casino’s gambling expert. He is a Jewish American, and the film shows his worldview as well as how he uses this knowledge to gain advantage over his competitors. He is also a man of faith, which makes his downfall all the more tragic.

Sharon Stone’s performance as Ginger is one of the best in her career, and a big step for female characters in Scorsese movies. James Woods is another standout, and his presence adds to the film’s overall feel of a city built on vice.

Casinos are visually stimulating with flashing lights, bright colors, and constant movement. They also use smells to keep customers entertained. The smell of a freshly cooked meal and the joyful sound of slot machines create a manufactured feeling of euphoria. This ambiance can cause people to gamble longer than they planned and lead to bigger profits for the casinos. Another tactic is the use of “near wins” on slot machines, which trigger the brain’s reward system and make players think they are close to winning. This keeps them playing, resulting in more time and money spent by tipsy visitors.