When people step into a casino, they enter a place of glitz, glamour, and excitement. There’s the music, the coin clinking, and the crowd of players all trying their hand at games that depend on luck but also use strategy. It’s a rush that doesn’t just involve the money – it’s about socializing with friends and strangers and having a great time together.
Casinos are designed with the guest experience in mind. They want people to gamble longer, and they offer perks like discounted travel packages, free buffets, and show tickets to keep them coming back for more. The dazzling lights, pulsating beats, and scented oils create a manufactured sense of bliss that makes people feel happy to be there.
Gambling has been a part of human civilization for millennia. People have been using dice and playing cards since 2300 BC. The first casinos were established in China, and while they didn’t necessarily make money, they provided a place for people to meet, mingle, and try their luck.
Despite being one of the longest movies ever made, Martin Scorsese’s Casino never feels bloated or overlong. The cast is excellent, with Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone especially standouts, but it’s Joe Pesci as Santoro who really carries the film. His menace and his dynamic with the more refined Sam Rothstein is what keeps the movie a taut thriller all the way through. Unlike many modern films, it doesn’t glorify organized crime; instead, it shows how fucked up that lifestyle is.