After the success of Goodfellas, Martin Scorsese was tasked with creating an epic crime drama that would resonate with audiences. His choice was Casino, a story about mob corruption in Las Vegas and the ways that mob influence still influences the gambling industry to this day. It starred Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, giving them the chance to complete what could be seen as their trilogy of mafia dramas, with Casino following Raging Bull and Goodfellas.

The film is a powerful portrayal of mafia control of the casino industry and how that was eventually stripped away by huge corporate gambling empires. Unlike other films, which focus on a few key characters, Casino tells the story of an entire city through the experiences of many different people. It lays bare the intertwining web of corruption that was centered in Las Vegas, with tendrils reaching out to politicians, Teamsters unions, Chicago mafia members, and more.

When you walk into a casino, the first thing you see are gaming tables and machines. From there, you have to navigate a labyrinthine floor that doesn’t have straight lines or clear pathways from one area of the casino to another. Casinos also use sounds, lights, and physical design to keep you gambling.

Something about the presence of large amounts of money seems to encourage cheating, stealing, and scamming. Casinos spend a lot of time, effort, and money on security to prevent these problems from occurring. However, even with a robust security system, it’s not always possible to stop gamblers from spending more than they can afford to lose.