The Casino is a movie about power, corruption, and the machinations of organized crime. It’s also a movie about love and trust. And it’s a movie that is very, very good.
There’s one certainty in gambling: the house always wins. That’s because casinos have built-in advantages that guarantee them a certain level of gross profit. These advantages are based on mathematical odds that are a function of the game’s rules and the amount of money wagered on it. Casinos are able to maintain this advantage because they offer big bettors extravagant inducements, such as free spectacular entertainment, limousine transportation and elegant living quarters. They can even afford to give less-important bettors reduced-fare transportation and hotel rooms.
Despite these advantages, casinos still have to pay taxes to their local governments. This is a good thing, because the tax revenue is used to support public services. Casinos have also contributed to local economies, especially in tourist destinations. However, it is important to note that not all casinos have created employment opportunities for the original local population. This is especially true in rural areas where most of the work force comes from outside the area. The construction of a new casino should be evaluated carefully for its impact on local unemployment. Ideally, it should be compared to statewide changes in unemployment. This will help local officials and citizens understand if the casino is truly creating jobs. If the job creation claims are not backed by actual facts, the local government should reconsider allowing a casino.
