In a casino, gamblers roll dice, spin slots, play cards, and place bets on horse races. There are many different types of games and some casinos even offer bingo, karaoke, or other entertainment. Those that are looking to win big money can try their hand at blackjack or other card games. Casinos are opulent, bright places with music blaring and coins clinking. They make otherwise rational people who work hard for their income and make reasoned financial decisions on a daily basis, throw hundreds or thousands of dollars away based on the literal roll of the dice, spin of the wheel, or draw of the cards.
Most of the games at a casino are played with chips, which are essentially real money that has been changed into colorful discs. This helps to dissociate the gambling from spending real money and may help some patrons keep their losses in check. It also makes it easier to change winnings back into chips. Many casinos have decor that tricks the eye and distracts the mind, such as lighting that changes color with the time of day or walls painted to look like the sky.
The acting in Casino is top notch, especially from Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone. De Niro’s character is well-written and plays to his strengths, while Stone’s blonde hustler is just a delight to watch. And then there is Joe Pesci’s Santoro, a villain that is perfectly crafted. The story of how mob control of Vegas slowly began to decline is intriguing and a major theme in the film.