Director Martin Scorsese’s Casino is a riveting look at mob-controlled Las Vegas. Despite being nearly three hours long, the movie never lags or runs out of steam. With masterful editing and taut narration, the movie is a lean and mean thriller. The movie is based on the investigative non-fiction work Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas, by Nicholas Pileggi.
In the world of casinos, math is the universal language, and it seldom lies. Every game in a casino has a built-in house advantage that guarantees the casino will win over time. The edge varies by game, but it is rare for a gambler to beat the house and come out ahead. The casinos know this, so they offer big bettors lavish inducements like free spectacular entertainment, luxurious living quarters, reduced-fare transportation, and free drinks and cigars while gambling.
Gambling isn’t a good way to make money, so it is important for people to set their boundaries and not be afraid to walk away from the table or slot machine. The best approach is to start with a fixed amount that you are willing to lose, and only play with that amount. Using electronic chips instead of cash helps to dissociate the feeling of spending real money and makes it easier to walk away from the tables.
The iconic Don Rickles shares a few behind-the-scenes moments with Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese on the set of Casino. They also talk about their friendship with Lefty Rosenthal and Ace Rothstein.