Like other great films by director Martin Scorsese such as Mean Streets and Goodfellas, Casino focuses on the mob and is anchored by excellent performances from Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone. In addition to a superb story and top notch acting, the film is also well edited by long time Scorsese collaborator Thelma Schoonmaker, who does a masterful job of keeping everything moving and enhancing the narrative with visual flourishes. Whether you are a fan of the mafia or just a huge movie buff, this is a must see film.
Casinos are a business and, like all businesses, they must make a profit to survive. To do so, casinos have a number of built-in advantages that ensure that the house will always win. In fact, it is extremely rare for a casino to lose money on any particular game in one day.
Security starts on the casino floor, where employees keep a close eye on patrons to spot blatant cheating. Dealers are trained to spot palming, marking or switching cards or dice and to recognize betting patterns that could indicate cheating. Pit bosses and table managers have a broader view of the tables and are able to see things that dealers might miss.
Another way casinos make money is by offering complimentary items to “good” players. This may include free drinks, meals or shows. In some cases, the comps may extend to free hotel rooms or limo service. Casinos are able to offer these free goods and services because they calculate how much money each patron will spend over a certain period of time.