A casino is a gambling establishment that offers chances to win money, often for the purpose of entertaining and socializing with friends. Most casinos offer a variety of games, and some even feature restaurants and bars.
Almost every scene in Casino is filled with the kind of violence you’d expect from Scorsese – gangsters getting tortured, car bombings, and people being buried alive in cornfields. Some may find these scenes over the top, but they’re actually faithful depictions of what really happened to these characters’ real-life counterparts. The film lays bare the mafia’s sprawling empire, with tendrils extending to unions, politicians, and Chicago mob families.
The movie also exposes the psychological tricks casinos use to keep players spending money. For example, casinos often waft scented oils in their ventilation systems to create an artificial state of euphoria. This lulls people into feeling relaxed and happy, which reduces their ability to make sound judgments. In addition, casinos hide bathrooms from their entrances so that people are forced to walk past more betting opportunities while seeking relief.
Another trick casinos use is to encourage players to gamble by giving them free food, drinks, rooms, or VIP access. This makes them feel valued, which motivates them to continue gambling to maintain or increase their loyalty status. Additionally, casinos use digital credits or chips instead of actual cash to disassociate gambling from spending real money. This allows players to place larger bets because it doesn’t sting as much when they lose.