Casino is a thrilling and immersive experience that can make even the most jaded casino-goer feel like they’re part of an exclusive club. The lights flash, champagne glasses clink and there is always someone to talk to or a game to play. But it’s not just the atmosphere that makes casinos so alluring – gambling is a huge business and casinos thrive by encouraging players to spend more money than they would otherwise, often over long periods of time. This is why it’s important to keep your gambling in control and avoid gambling more than you can afford to lose.
One of the ways casinos encourage players to gamble more is by offering them free goods or services, known as comps. These are usually hotel rooms, dinners or tickets to shows, but can also include limo service and airline tickets. Players can often earn these free items by simply playing at the casino for a certain amount of time or by placing large bets. Casinos also give these players special treatment by putting them in high roller rooms away from the main floor, where their bets can be in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Another way casinos make money is by taking a percentage of the total amount of money that a player wins or loses. This is called ‘the rake’ and it is the main source of income for casinos that offer card games. Casinos with a high rake are able to attract a large number of high rollers, who in turn contribute to the success of the casino.
Something about gambling seems to encourage people to try to cheat, steal or scam their way into a jackpot instead of relying on pure chance. This is why casinos invest a lot of time, effort and money into their security systems. The security staff has to be vigilant and constantly on the lookout for any suspicious activity. Casinos use a variety of different security methods, from the old fashioned way of watching patrons to more sophisticated “eye-in-the-sky” surveillance systems that monitor every table, window and doorway.
Casino, with the help of a fantastic cast led by Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando, is a riveting thriller that never lags or runs out of steam. It’s one of the best examples of how a director can take the viewer on an intense ride, combining the excitement of gambling with the brutality of crime. With masterful editing and taut narration, Casino is a lean, mean thrill ride until the very end. A true classic! Rating: PG-13 for violence, some language and drug content.