A casino is a gambling establishment that offers games of chance and some games with an element of skill. The most common casino games include slots, table games, and card games. Casinos make their money by offering these games to players and collecting a percentage of the players’ losses as a fee. Casinos also offer perks like free food and rooms to increase players’ loyalty, encouraging them to continue gambling for extended periods of time.

The film is based on the real-life story of Frank Rosenthal and his Stardust Casino in Las Vegas. Robert De Niro stars as Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a mobster who runs the casino under an assumed name. He is a smart businessman who is willing to risk his own life and that of his family in order to make money. His main rival is mobster Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci). The two men are at odds over control of the casino.

One of the most popular casino tricks is to offer patrons free alcoholic drinks. Alcohol lowers a player’s inhibitions and makes them more likely to place larger bets or continue gambling even when they are losing money. It also affects a person’s judgement, making them less likely to recognize when they are overextended.

Another way casinos encourage players to spend more money is by placing essential amenities like toilets and restaurants deep within the gaming floor. This forces players to pass numerous slot machines and tables on their way to use these facilities, increasing the temptation to make one more bet. Other casino tricks include placing dazzling lights in the room and playing soothing music to create a manufactured sense of happiness.