After the success of Goodfellas, Martin Scorsese returned to mobsters and organized crime in Casino. This time, he made sure to include all the elements that make up a Vegas experience, including neon lights, opulence and gambling. The film also portrays the dark side of gambling, exposing the corruption and greed that is often involved.

Casinos earn money by taking a percentage of the total bets placed by players. This is called a house edge and it is calculated by mathematical analysis. Casinos hire a group of mathematicians and computer programmers to perform this task. They use these numbers to calculate the expected return on a given game and determine how much of a reserve they need in order to cover possible losses.

In order to maximize their profits, casinos have to attract big bettors with extravagant inducements like free spectacular entertainment, transportation and luxurious living quarters. They also need to make them feel that they are close to winning, so they will keep betting, even if the odds are against them. This psychological tactic works well, especially if they keep a player inebriated so that they are less likely to rationalize their decisions.

Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone are the highlights of the cast in Casino, with both actors delivering outstanding performances. They create a realistic and compelling drama about human tragedy in which greed and treachery reign supreme. This movie is definitely worth watching. But be prepared to see some brutality and some disturbing scenes.