A public room or building in which gambling (especially roulette, baccarat, blackjack, poker, and slot machines) is the principal activity.

Casino is the rare movie that captures the essence of Las Vegas, balancing opulence and neon signs with organized crime and corruption. And what’s more, it stars Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in a pairing that makes for one of the best buddy duos ever.

The film opens with a prowling Steadicam zooming in on a rigged wheel, establishing Casino as a dark and edgy thriller from the get-go. Moreover, it’s not just about the mob, but about Vegas itself. The city of sin, Scorsese argues in a scene with deliberate echoes of Goodfellas’ Copacabana interlude, has changed, and that change is for the worse.

While De Niro and Pesci are excellent, it’s Sharon Stone who spikes the energy of the film as blonde hustler Ginger McKenna. Her ability to seduce and enthrall men, combined with her utter lack of self-control (Ace calls her “a girl who could keep a man awake for two or three days”), gives the movie a relentless, almost unbearable pace.

Casinos can create a similar sense of excitement and mystery by promoting responsible gaming. By offering features like deposit limits, self-exclusion tools, and reality checks, casinos can help players manage their gambling habits more effectively. Moreover, by using verified payment methods, they can build trust and boost player confidence. A reliable casino should also prioritize transparency and clear regulations, ensuring that players are safe from fraud and unfair practices.