Casino, starring Robert De Niro as a bookie who rises to power in Las Vegas casinos with the help of his mob connections, is one of director Martin Scorsese’s most fascinating films. The movie plays like a documentary at times, revealing the intricate web of corruption that was centered in Vegas and had tentacles reaching to politicians, Teamsters unions, the Chicago mafia, and the Midwest mafia based out of Kansas City.

The movie lays bare the dark side of gambling, which isn’t usually showcased in movies or other entertainment. It reveals how casinos manipulate players through their designs and psychology tricks to keep them spending money and craving more. It also explains how the house always wins.

One of the biggest casino tricks is to distract players from their losses by offering them perks, such as free meals and rooms. This tactic helps them feel valued and keeps them playing longer, even if they’re losing.

Another way casinos make players lose more money is by letting them gamble with chips instead of cash. This gives players a false sense of security and makes them less likely to control their spending. It’s also more convenient to use digital credits when gambling online, which is why many people prefer to play using them.

Casino is one of the most enthralling movies ever made, and not just because of its cast. Sharon Stone delivers a memorable performance as blonde hustler Ginger McKenna, and Joe Pesci is perfect as the ruthless mobster Nicky Santoro. The three-hour film never lags or runs out of steam, thanks to Scorsese’s masterful editing and taut narration.