A casino is a place where a variety of games of chance can be played, with gambling as the primary activity. Traditionally, casinos add amenities such as restaurants, free drinks, stage shows and dramatic scenery to attract customers. The games themselves may not require much skill, but the thrill of the win – and losing – keeps players coming back.

People who gamble at casinos are a diverse group, from regulars who strut their confidence and expect to win big to those trying to make back what they lost in their last round. However, they all share one thing in common – they want to have a good time. With music blaring and coins clinking, casinos create an incredibly upbeat atmosphere. While there may be the occasional tut of dismay or frustration, it doesn’t take long for the good vibes to take over again.

The success of Scorsese’s 1995 epic crime drama Goodfellas prompted Universal to greenlight Casino, another organized crime film based on a nonfiction book by Nicholas Pileggi. Its cast of stars, led by Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, added to its appeal. Unlike other movies of the era, Casino reveals an insider’s perspective on Sin City, with scenes such as the money counting room and Ace’s shady dealings in Tangiers, which include skimming off the top to pay kickbacks to old-school mob bosses in Kansas City. It’s a testament to the movie’s resonant themes and its ability to convey the thrill of gambling that it remains so popular even today.