Casino is a Martin Scorsese film that takes a different approach to mafia drama than his previous films. While Goodfellas focused on the blue collar gangsters, Casino looks at the men who controlled them, and how they fell from the top of their power due to lust, greed, and hubris. It’s a fascinating look at how the mafia controlled Vegas and the rise of huge gambling corporations.
Beneath the flashing lights and free cocktails, casinos are built on a bedrock of mathematics that slowly bleeds patrons of their cash. This is the foundation of their business model, and they spend large sums on mathematicians and computer programmers who study probabilities and game theory to find ways to beat the house edge.
These are known as “gaming mathematicians,” and their work is a form of applied science. The best ones know how to spot patterns in the house edge and variance of a casino’s games, as well as how to identify anomalies that could be signs of fraud or cheating. They can also help casinos make more informed decisions about their operations and improve the overall customer experience by offering them new games, loyalty programs, and other benefits.
Casino also marks a step up for female characters in Scorsese’s filmography, led by Sharon Stone’s electrifying performance as Ginger. While wives and girlfriends have always dotted the director’s landscape, here they are more than just supporting players in a story about mobster life. They are vital and dynamic parts of the narrative, and their actions have massive implications.