Casino, the Martin Scorsese-directed epic crime drama, is a powerful look at the mob’s rise and fall in Las Vegas. Unlike other gangster films, this movie doesn’t glorify the lifestyle of its characters. Instead, it lays bare the intricate web of corruption that connected mob bosses to politicians, Teamsters union members, and Midwest mafia families. While some of the violence in Casino is shocking (the torture of a man with a vice, the attempted murder of De Niro’s character, and Joe Pesci’s death by overdose) it is realistic.
Casino is also a great study of casino design. It reveals how casinos manipulate players with psychological tricks to get them to spend more money than they initially intended. For example, casinos purposefully don’t have clocks or windows in their rooms so that time moves slower, which makes hours of gambling feel like minutes. Similarly, some casinos offer free drinks to keep players inebriated. This may help them to make sound decisions, but it also increases the likelihood that they will stay longer and potentially bet more money than they could afford to lose.
In addition to offering free booze, casinos reward their loyal players with comps, or complimentary items. These can range from free meals and hotel stays to exclusive access to events and VIP lounges. These rewards encourage players to continue gambling so that they can earn more rewards and keep coming back to the casino. Combined with flashing lights and upbeat music, these tricks help to create a trance-like state in which gamblers forget about their financial reality and become engulfed in the game.