A gangster movie with more depth than Goodfellas, Casino explores the inner workings of the mafia in Las Vegas. De Niro’s character, Ace, is more of a principled underworld operator than the dashing mafioso hero of many films. His loyalty to his boss, Nicky, is tested when he finds himself on the wrong side of the law.

The atmosphere of a casino is one of excitement, and the gambling scene in Casino is no exception. Champagne glasses clink as people mingle, chat, and try their luck at games like poker and roulette. The lights flash and the music blare, creating a sense of euphoria that is hard to replicate elsewhere.

Casinos have a built-in advantage, known as the house edge, that ensures they will always make money on the games they offer. Despite this fact, casinos still convince rational people who work hard for their incomes and make reasoned financial decisions on a daily basis to throw hundreds or thousands of dollars away based on the roll of a dice or the spin of a wheel.

This is why you won’t see clocks on the casino floor. The casinos want you to lose track of time, so they can keep you playing for longer. Some even discourage dealers from wearing watches. In addition, casino floors are designed to be labyrinthine, so that when you need a bathroom break, you have to walk past countless opportunities to press your luck.