In a world where Hollywood often only shows the good side of gambling, Casino is an epic film that lays bare Las Vegas’ seedy past. The movie stars Robert De Niro as mobster Frank Lucas, Sharon Stone as blonde hustler Ginger McKenna, and Joe Pesci as the shrewd gambler Santoro. The trio’s onscreen chemistry is the highlight of the film, but the rest of the cast delivers strong performances, especially Sam Rothstein as Mafia boss Tommy Scalise. The movie also reveals how the mafia’s reach extended well beyond Las Vegas, with tendrils touching politicians, Teamsters unions, and even Midwest mobs in Chicago and Kansas City.
In modern casinos, the odds of a game are mathematically calculated. This allows the house to maintain an advantage over players, which is known as the house edge. To offset the house edge, some games use digital credits instead of cash to make players feel like they are spending less money. Casinos also employ psychological tactics like announcing near wins, which can lead players to believe that luck is on their side.
Legalized casinos can provide a substantial amount of revenue for local governments. This money can help fund essential community services, alleviate the need for budget cuts, and bring up property values in surrounding neighborhoods. Casinos can also create jobs, which help to reduce unemployment rates and boost income levels in the area.